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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools

121 Colleges in the United States
$20,362 Avg Student Debt
$59,728 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Badge [Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geography & cartography education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 535 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geography & cartography schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Geography & Cartography School for You

The geography & cartography program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

See how we build our rankings

Customize Your Rankings

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Bachelor's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Master's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Doctorate Degrees in Geography & Cartography

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,856. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #2 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #4 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Pasadena City College placed #6 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

7

California State University Fullerton landed the #7 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,112. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College landed the #9 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.

10

California State University Northridge earned the #10 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

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11

Austin Community College District placed #11 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Florida Atlantic University earned the #12 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,692 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $42,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

13
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

California State University Long Beach landed the #14 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $52,865. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

15

College Of Southern Idaho came in at #15 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.

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16

The University Of West Florida placed #16 among the best values for geography & cartography. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

17

California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,881. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

18

Utah Valley University came in at #18 for value in geography & cartography this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #19 spot for geography & cartography value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $39,259. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

20

City College Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best values for geography & cartography. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,332. Geography & Cartography graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Murray State University placed #21 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $23,420. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #22 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

23

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #23 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $67,975. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #25 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for geography & cartography this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
31
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
32
33
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
46
47
48
49
50
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

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View All Rankings >

Geography & Cartography is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 2,699
Geography 2,263
Geography, Other 175

View All Geography & Cartography Concentrations >

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Notes and References

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 · 535 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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