by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in geography, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,519. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $10,112. Geography graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for geography. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Arizona Western College, which ranked #4. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,895.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for geography. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $48,740. Set against $24,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
University Of North Texas came in at #6 for value in geography this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $39,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,645. Geography graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #8 among the best values for geography. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $49,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #10 among the best values for geography. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $35,936. That is a strong return on a $25,156 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for geography. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #12 among the best values for geography. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $27,250. Early-career geography graduates make about $58,084. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #13 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $14,705 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $32,096. Set against $14,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $36,878. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $16,479 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Set against $16,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.