2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geography schools.
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2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana State University the best value for a degree in geography in the Great Lakes Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the geography program here. 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%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for geography. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for geography. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $42,214. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,983. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for geography. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $58,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #7 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $21,212 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,212 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #8 for value in geography this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $36,367. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #9 among the best values for geography. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in geography this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Geography graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $42,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Calvin College landed the #12 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,707. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford placed #13 among the best values for geography. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $24,177. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Depaul University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $47,464. Set against $23,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
