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Cheapest Geography and Cartography Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY Hunter College delivers the nation's most affordable Geography and Cartography education at just $2,446 net cost, while University of Florida-Online graduates earn $35,954 annually with only $16,407 in debt. The $4,301 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs on this list reflects different state funding models and urban versus rural campus costs. California State University system dominates the middle tier with six programs ranging from $3,659 to $5,918, benefiting from the state's massive geographic information systems industry centered around tech companies and environmental agencies. Ohio University's regional campuses present an interesting case study in access, with identical $26,000 debt loads but graduation rates spanning from 13.7% to 20%. The Northeast corridor offers particularly strong value through CUNY schools, where students pay under $3,500 while gaining access to New York's mapping and surveying firms that serve the region's dense urban planning needs.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $11,276
Net Price Range
$31,898
Avg. Program Earnings
47.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
3 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
4 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
5 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
6 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
7 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
8 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
9 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
10 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
11 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
12 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
13 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
14 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
15 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
16 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
17 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
18 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
19 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
20 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
21 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
22 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
23 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
24 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
25 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
26 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
27 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
28 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
29 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
30 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
31 $9,287 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
32 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
33 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
34 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
35 $9,983 $9,700 42.3% 91.4%
36 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
37 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
38 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
39 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
40 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
41 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
42 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
43 $10,854 $4,740 30.1%
44 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
45 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
46 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
47 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
48 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
49 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
50 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College so affordable for Geography and Cartography students?

Hunter College charges just $2,446 in net costs while maintaining a 61% graduation rate and 47.86% acceptance rate. The school benefits from New York State and City funding that subsidizes tuition for residents. Students also gain access to New York's extensive GIS job market without the premium costs of private institutions. The program's location in Manhattan provides internship opportunities with city planning departments and surveying firms.

How do California State University programs compare in terms of value?

Six CSU campuses offer Geography and Cartography programs with net costs between $3,659 and $5,918. Cal State Fullerton stands out with a 69.2% graduation rate and $28,309 average earnings, while Dominguez Hills has the lowest net cost at $3,659 but an 89.13% acceptance rate. Cal State Stanislaus offers the highest acceptance rate at 96.61% with moderate costs of $5,671. These programs serve California's large environmental consulting and tech mapping sectors.

Is University of Florida-Online worth considering despite higher costs?

UF-Online charges $4,702 net but delivers strong returns with $35,954 average earnings and just $16,407 in debt. The program maintains a 77.7% graduation rate, significantly higher than most regional campus alternatives. Students benefit from Florida's growing GIS industry supporting tourism, agriculture, and coastal management. The online format allows students to work while studying, potentially offsetting the higher upfront costs.

What explains the low graduation rates at Ohio University regional campuses?

Ohio University's regional campuses show graduation rates between 13.7% and 20%, despite identical $26,000 debt loads across all locations. These campuses primarily serve working adults and commuter students who may take longer to complete degrees or transfer to four-year programs. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville has the highest rate at 20%, while Lancaster Campus struggles at 13.7%. Students often use these programs as stepping stones to the main Athens campus or other universities.

Where can students find the best return on investment for Geography degrees?

University of Florida-Online provides the highest earnings at $35,954 with reasonable debt of $16,407, creating the strongest financial outcome. Cal State Los Angeles offers solid earnings of $33,993 at a lower net cost of $4,113. CUNY Hunter College presents the lowest-risk option with minimal debt and decent job prospects in New York's mapping sector. Cal State Fullerton balances moderate costs with good graduation rates and $28,309 earnings potential.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.