Geographic Information Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 327 schools to find the best for geographic information science students.
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Choosing a Great Geographic Information Science School
Where you study geographic information science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Geographic Information Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Geographic Information Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Geographic Information Science Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Geographic Information Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of Pennsylvania the best school in the country for a degree in geographic information science. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for geographic information science. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $53,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of California Davis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $58,681. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 13 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
See the full geographic information science program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 45 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $37,398. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #7 among the best geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,543 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Southern California landed the #8 spot for geographic information science this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 61 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,063. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for geographic information science this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 103 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $55,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 17 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of California Los Angeles
Johns Hopkins University earned the #11 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 10 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $75,503 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Johns Hopkins University
University Of Connecticut placed #12 among the best geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Connecticut
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for geographic information science this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. Typical student debt for the program is $16,479.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 for geographic information science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $40,913 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $24,441 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Maryland College Park
George Washington University placed #15 among the best geographic information science schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $52,883. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full geographic information science details for George Washington University
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #16 among the best geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 19 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $57,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Virginia Commonwealth University
Oregon State University landed the #17 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 119 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,043.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Oregon State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Rhode Island landed the #19 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 22 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Rhode Island
University Of Wyoming placed #20 among the best geographic information science schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wyoming in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of Wyoming earn around $49,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,283.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Wyoming
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #21 for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $38,019 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Denver came in at #22 for geographic information science this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 73 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of Denver earn around $58,717 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of Denver
Calvin College landed the #23 spot for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete this degree.
Get the full geographic information science details for Calvin College
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 153 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus
California State University Long Beach ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 geographic information science degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $52,865 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the geographic information science program at California State University Long Beach
Rest of the Top 50 Geographic Information Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geographic information science ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 327 schools evaluated.
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).
