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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

14 Colleges in the United States
197 Geography Degrees Awarded
$44,442 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools to find the best for geography students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geography education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Geography

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University tops our 2026 ranking of the best geography schools. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 12 geography degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Geography graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286. See the full geography program report for Colgate University

2

A rank of #2 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for geography. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 19 geography degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Geography graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $52,883 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the geography program at George Washington University

3

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 11 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the geography program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus

4
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rowan University awarded about 16 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $44,380. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography from Rowan University

5
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography, ranking #5. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 27 geography degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from Syracuse University earn around $54,785 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography from Syracuse University

6
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #6 spot for geography this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Towson University awarded about 18 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Towson University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full geography program report for Towson University

7

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #7 spot for geography this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 15 geography degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Geography graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,331. Get the full geography details for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

8

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 10 geography degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. Get the full geography details for Pennsylvania Western University

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best geography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 27 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $40,962 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full geography details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10

University At Buffalo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 geography degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from University At Buffalo earn around $29,390 in the first couple years of their career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $24,255 in student loans. Get the full geography details for University At Buffalo

11
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. About 68% of students finish within six years. Salisbury University awarded about 19 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $25,255 in their early career. Salisbury University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the geography program at Salisbury University

12

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 geography students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $44,294 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,330. Read more about the geography program at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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