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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools

111 Colleges in the United States
$20,831 Avg Student Debt
$62,676 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Bachelor's Degree 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 535 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.

What’s on this page:

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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

For return on investment in geography & cartography, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,525. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $26,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

4

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $39,259 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #7 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $5,673. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,454. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

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11

Weber State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $25,975 early in their careers. Set against $22,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #14 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $17,504. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

15

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #15 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $37,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.

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University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $12,373 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

University Of North Alabama placed #17 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

18

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

19

San Francisco State University placed #19 among the best values for geography & cartography. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $24,875. Set against $13,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #20 for value in geography & cartography this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $40,614. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

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21

Arizona State University earned the #21 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $28,500. Geography & Cartography graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

22
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University placed #22 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

23

Northern Illinois University earned the #23 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

24

West Virginia University placed #24 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,435. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

University Of Georgia earned the #25 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

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
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
39
40
41
42
43
44
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
45
46
47
48
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
49
50

Other Geography & Cartography Degree Levels

Explore the best-value geography & cartography schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Geography & Cartography
Associate's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Master's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 111 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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