2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in geography in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,856. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for geography. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,829. Geography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $39,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for geography. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,117. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Georgia earned it the #4 place for geography. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #5 place for geography. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,250. Early-career geography graduates make about $52,481. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #6 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $44,598 early in their careers. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Geography graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,801. Set against $22,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #8 among the best values for geography. 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, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $25,975. That is a strong return on a $22,851 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
West Virginia University earned the #9 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. 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 North Alabama ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,076 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,954. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Georgia State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,091. Early-career geography graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #13 position for value in geography this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $41,648. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #14 for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,020. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $20,868. Early-career geography graduates make about $55,320. Set against $20,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Louisville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $37,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #18 among the best values for geography. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $44,553. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,348. Early-career geography graduates make about $49,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #20 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
James Madison University earned the #21 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #22 for value in geography this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Geography graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Auburn University placed #23 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #24 among the best values for geography. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,250. Geography graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $46,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
