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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Geographic Information Science Schools in the Far Western Region

9 Colleges in the United States
672 Geographic Information Science Degrees Awarded
$57,824 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geographic information science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geographic Information Science in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geographic information science education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Geographic Information Science

1

No school ranked higher than University Of California Davis this year for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree. Get the full geographic information science details for University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. 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. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $37,398 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Get the full geographic information science details for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for geographic information science. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 61 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,063 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Southern California

4

Students looking for a strong geographic information science program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 103 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $55,232 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,504 in student loans. Get the full geographic information science details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

5

Students looking for a strong geographic information science program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 17 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans. See the full geographic information science program report for University Of California Los Angeles

6

Oregon State University earned the #6 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 119 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Oregon State University earn around $51,000 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete this degree. See the full geographic information science program report for Oregon State University

7

California State University Long Beach ranked #7 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. See the full geographic information science program report for California State University Long Beach

8
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 10 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from American River College earn around $76,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. Read more about the geographic information science program at American River College

9

University Of Oregon came in at #9 for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $45,030 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,775. More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Oregon

10
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 33 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. Read more about the geographic information science program at Foothill College

11

Green River Community College landed the #11 spot for geographic information science this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 11 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. Get the full geographic information science details for Green River Community College

12

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #12 among the best geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 11 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $67,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

13

Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 27 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Get the full geographic information science details for Pasadena City College

14
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College earned the #14 position for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. Palomar College awarded about 27 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the geographic information science program at Palomar College

15

Portland State University landed the #15 spot for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 19 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Portland State University earn around $51,188 in the first couple years of their career. Portland State University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Get the full geographic information science details for Portland State University

16

Eastern Washington University earned the #16 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 14 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $47,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete this degree. See the full geographic information science program report for Eastern Washington University

17

City College Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 24 geographic information science degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. See the full geographic information science program report for City College Of San Francisco

18

The Evergreen State College earned the #18 position for geographic information science this year. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at The Evergreen State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from The Evergreen State College generally make around $26,942. Typical student debt for the program is $21,850. Read more about the geographic information science program at The Evergreen State College

19

Columbia College Sonora ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Sonora. Columbia College Sonora awarded about 19 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Columbia College Sonora graduates carry a median of $13,293 in student loans. More information about a degree in geographic information science from Columbia College Sonora

20

Portland Community College landed the #20 spot for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. About 20 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Portland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Portland Community College earn around $38,714 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,644 to complete this degree. Get the full geographic information science details for Portland Community College

21

Lane Community College came in at #21 for geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 28 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Lane Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $60,759 in their early career. Lane Community College graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Read more about the geographic information science program at Lane Community College

Narrow Geographic Information Science Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 59 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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