2026 Best Value Geography Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $73,531. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $53,587. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

5

Portland State University
Portland, OR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #5 place for geography. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $67,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

6

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $26,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in geography this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,096 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $55,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

8

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in geography this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #9 for value in geography this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in geography this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,585. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

11

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #11 among the best values for geography. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $38,648. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $20,250. Geography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $74,365 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,021 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,590 early in their careers. Set against $24,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

14

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $56,801. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $17,750. Early-career geography graduates make about $41,648. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

17

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #17 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Geography graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

18

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #18 spot for geography value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Geography graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,568. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

19

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #19 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

20

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #21 spot for geography value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $52,615. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

22

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #22 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

23

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #23 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $39,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

24

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,257. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.

25

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #25 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,534. Early-career geography graduates make about $58,047. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.