2026 Best Value Geography Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value geography schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #3 place for geography. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

4

American River College
Sacramento, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American River College earned it the #4 place for geography. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,105. Early-career geography graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

5

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,727. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

6

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Geography graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the best values for geography. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $26,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Geography graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District earned the #9 position for value in geography this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #10 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Geography graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

11

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College came in at #11 for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #12 for value in geography this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $52,865. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

13

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College earned the #13 position for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,595. Geography graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $48,227. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $39,259. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

17

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco landed the #17 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College earned the #18 position for value in geography this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,240, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,090. Early-career geography graduates make about $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.

19

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $35,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

20

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #20 for value in geography this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

21

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia came in at #21 for value in geography this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,439. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

22

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #22 position for value in geography this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Geography graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

23

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,250. Geography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College placed #24 among the best values for geography. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. That is a strong return on a $20,354 median debt.

25

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #25 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $42,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.