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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western Region

23 Colleges in the United States
1,185 Geography & Cartography Degrees Awarded
$47,940 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 133 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geography & cartography students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography & Cartography in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geography & cartography education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Geography & Cartography

1

University Of California Davis tops our 2026 ranking of the best geography & cartography schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 16 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography & cartography, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 66 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $37,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,063. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of Southern California

4

Students looking for a strong geography & cartography program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 103 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $55,232. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,504 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

5

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 70 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $36,776 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of California Los Angeles

6

California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 25 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $48,227 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for California State University Sacramento

7

Oregon State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Oregon State University awarded about 123 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Oregon State University earn around $51,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,043. See the full geography & cartography program report for Oregon State University

8

San Diego State University landed the #8 spot for geography & cartography this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 55 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $38,648. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at San Diego State University

9

California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $52,865 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from California State University Long Beach

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 27 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $35,426 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete this degree. See the full geography & cartography program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

11
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #11 among the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 27 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $40,614. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Sonoma State University

12

California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 29 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250. Read more about the geography & cartography program at California State University Northridge

13
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College placed #13 among the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 16 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. Read more about the geography & cartography program at American River College

14

California State University Fullerton earned the #14 position for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 22 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $26,040 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for California State University Fullerton

15

University Of Oregon came in at #15 for geography & cartography this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 15 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $45,030 early in their careers. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,775 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for University Of Oregon

16
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 36 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $94,152 in their early career. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Get the full geography & cartography details for Foothill College

17

California State University Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,727. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Get the full geography & cartography details for California State University Los Angeles

18

Green River Community College earned the #18 position for geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. About 11 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year. Get the full geography & cartography details for Green River Community College

19

San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 23 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $24,875. Typical student debt for the program is $13,768. Get the full geography & cartography details for San Francisco State University

20

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 11 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $67,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,151. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

21
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College earned the #21 position for geography & cartography this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 11 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full geography & cartography details for Santa Barbara City College

22

University Of Nevada Reno placed #22 among the best geography & cartography schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. University Of Nevada Reno graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of Nevada Reno

23

Western Washington University came in at #23 for geography & cartography this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 26 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Western Washington University earn around $32,081 in the first couple years of their career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Western Washington University

24
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 12 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $15,890 in their early career. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for Saddleback College

25

Pasadena City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 32 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $38,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Get the full geography & cartography details for Pasadena City College

Rest of the Top 36 Geography & Cartography Schools

These schools also placed among the best for geography & cartography this year:

26
27
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

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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 · 133 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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