[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in Missouri. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Park University earned it the #2 place for geographic information science. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Park University generally make around $58,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,300 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $46,503. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
