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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography Schools in the Southeast Region

21 Colleges in the United States
699 Geography Degrees Awarded
$43,286 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geography programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools to find the best for geography students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Geography

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best school in the country for a degree in geography. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete this degree. See the full geography program report for University Of Florida

2

Students looking for a strong geography program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $42,454 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. See the full geography program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3

George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 geography students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $49,568 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. See the full geography program report for George Mason University

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 geography degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,094. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800. Get the full geography details for James Madison University

5

Students looking for a strong geography program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #5. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 geography students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full geography program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for geography this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 24 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $39,259. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography from University Of South Florida Main Campus

7
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington placed #7 among the best geography schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 12 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full geography program report for University Of Mary Washington

8

University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for geography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 29 geography degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Geography graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography program at University Of Georgia

9

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 42 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $42,210 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $23,954 in student loans. See the full geography program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

10

University Of North Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Typical student debt for the program is $21,439. Get the full geography details for University Of North Georgia

11

Appalachian State University came in at #11 for geography this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 geography students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $41,648. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Get the full geography details for Appalachian State University

12

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #12 for geography this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 21 geography degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $46,929 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the geography program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

13
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #13 spot for geography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 10 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. See the full geography program report for Auburn University

14

Georgia State University placed #14 among the best geography schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia State University awarded about 14 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Read more about the geography program at Georgia State University

15
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 22 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,598. Typical student debt for the program is $26,707. Get the full geography details for Florida State University

16

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #16 position for geography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 20 geography degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348. See the full geography program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

17

The University Of Tennessee ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 32 geography degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Geography graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full geography program report for The University Of Tennessee

18

University Of Louisville came in at #18 for geography this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography degree from University Of Louisville earn around $37,844 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. See the full geography program report for University Of Louisville

19

Kennesaw State University landed the #19 spot for geography this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 18 geography students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $40,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,500. Read more about the geography program at Kennesaw State University

20

West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geography degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography program make about $34,435 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,089. More information about a degree in geography from West Virginia University

21
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #21 spot for geography this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Marshall University graduates 51% of students within six years. Marshall University awarded about 21 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Read more about the geography program at Marshall University

22

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best geography schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 13 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $25,975 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. See the full geography program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

23

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #23 position for geography this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 50 geography degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Geography graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $55,320 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,868 in student loans. Get the full geography details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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