2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geography schools.
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2026 Best Value Geography Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in the The Plains States Region. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Park University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,112. Geography graduates of Park University earn a median of $58,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $20,500. Early-career geography graduates make about $38,019. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #4 place for geography. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,300. Geography graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #6 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,260. Early-career geography graduates make about $45,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #8 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $38,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,904 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $45,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
