2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the New England Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
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2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography Schools
Leading the list is Salem State University, our #1 best value for geography in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $27,000. Early-career geography graduates make about $32,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Plymouth State University one of the best values for geography. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $45,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Vermont came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $18,284. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $33,424. Set against $18,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Connecticut one of the best values for geography. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Middlebury College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Clark University landed the #7 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
