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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography Schools in Virginia

6 Colleges in the United States
130 Geography Degrees Awarded
$44,308 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geography programs.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best geography schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography in Virginia

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

Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for geography. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 geography students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geography from George Mason University

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography, ranking #2. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 48 geography students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $45,094 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800. Read more about the geography program at James Madison University

3

Students looking for a strong geography program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students 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. Students who receive their geography degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $39,328 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full geography program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for geography. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 12 geography degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent 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

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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