[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Northwest Missouri State University tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,786. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,019. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #5 place for geographic information science. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,300. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #6 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $45,482. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #7 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,904 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $45,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Narrow Geographic Information Science Schools by State
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
