University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for a bachelors in geographic information systems.
If you’ve punched an address into your GPS app or asked Siri, Alexa, or Google how to get to the nearest gas station, coffee shop, or Taco Bell, then you’ve used the services provided by geographic information systems (GIS). All that information made it into the app somehow, it just so happens there are some well-trained individuals who use geographic information science and geospatial science to provide the app with the information it needs to help people like you get to that out-of-the-way restaurant or find that quirky bookstore.
If you think the process of collecting and making sense of geography and spatial data and helping organizations better serve their customers sounds like an interesting endeavor, a degree in geographic information systems (GIS) could be a good option for you. There are a few options of title for an undergraduate degree in this field, such as a Bachelor of Science in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or a bachelor's in geography and geographic information systems (GIS), etc.
A student pursuing a bachelor’s in geographic information systems degree (GIS degree) is going to spend a lot of time making and updating maps. Required courses in this program might include mapping, surveying, computer programs, and lots of statistics and data. An internship isn’t always required, but many programs encourage their students to attain some hands-on experience whenever possible. Internships can be performed during summer breaks with a variety of organizations. In some cases, internships can turn into permanent, paid positions. Upon graduation, a degree holder is ready for an entry-level position working as a mapper, surveyor, or other data analyst position. GIS degrees also work well in an online format, so there are a variety of online programs where students can make use of distance learning to gain vital skills from online degrees. Below you'll find more likely core courses for prospective students looking to earn bachelor's degrees in this area.
- Geospatial Science or Geospatial Information Science
- Spatial Data and Spatial Analysis
- Basic Cartogaphy and Geography
- Digital Mapping
- Remote Sensing
- Environmental Science
- Crime Mapping
- Community Planning and Urban Planning
- Digital Image Processing
- Aerial Photography
- GIS Software
- Geographic Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems Technology
- And More
If you’re considering pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems or a bachelor’s geographic information science and cartography degree, there are some things you’ll need to consider. As with any other degree program, GIS degrees offer pros and cons to going back to school and obtaining a degree. We’ve provided some considerations, both pro and con, below, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. Before making a commitment, prospective students should decide if they are ready to take on the task, and if not, what they need to do to get ready to pursue a GIS degree.
Top 10 Best Online Bachelors in Geographic Information Systems Programs
University of Arizona
Score: 87.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State:$41,095
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Arizona State University
Score: 85.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Oregon State University
Score: 85.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,494
- Out-of-State:$35,664
- Net Price: $21,163
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 34,292
- Undergrad Students: 28,905
- Graduate Students: 5,387
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Western Illinois University
Score: 83.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,952
- Out-of-State:$14,952
- Net Price: $11,213
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 7,643
- Undergrad Students: 5,309
- Graduate Students: 2,334
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
South Dakota State University
Score: 80.27
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,299
- Out-of-State:$12,809
- Net Price: $18,160
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 11,327
- Undergrad Students: 9,917
- Graduate Students: 1,410
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Old Dominion University
Score: 77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,262
- Out-of-State:$32,662
- Net Price: $16,098
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 23,107
- Undergrad Students: 18,375
- Graduate Students: 4,732
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Fort Hays State University
Score: 76.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,633
- Out-of-State:$16,811
- Net Price: $13,322
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 12,949
- Undergrad Students: 10,427
- Graduate Students: 2,522
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Troy University
Score: 75.98
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,792
- Out-of-State:$19,584
- Net Price: $13,187
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 14,156
- Undergrad Students: 10,768
- Graduate Students: 3,388
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Delta State University
Score: 75.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,605
- Out-of-State:$8,605
- Net Price: $14,138
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 2,556
- Undergrad Students: 1,889
- Graduate Students: 667
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
UMass Global
Score: 63.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,520
- Out-of-State:$12,520
- Net Price: $32,807
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 8,689
- Undergrad Students: 4,822
- Graduate Students: 3,867
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
