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2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in geography in the United States. 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. Geography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #6 for value in geography this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $39,259. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #7 for value in geography this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,826. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $35,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #8 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for geography value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,454. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $35,608. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $17,504 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #12 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Geography graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Geography graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $22,851 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $25,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #15 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Geography graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $37,398. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for geography value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $13,969. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #17 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,768 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $24,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University earned the #18 position for value in geography this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,000. Geography graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $40,614 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #21 position for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #22 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,435. Set against $23,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #23 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #24 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,582. Early-career geography graduates make about $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #25 for value in geography this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,360 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,051. Set against $10,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geography this year:
Other Geography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geography rankings across degree levels:
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
