Are you passionate about using computers and cutting-edge technology? How about creating maps, solving environmental concerns, or commenting on contemporary economic and political issues? In this case, the best geography schools will lead you on a beneficial path. The programs offered at the best schools for geography combine social and natural science research with computer systems to evaluate spatial data. Besides having many transferable skills, you’ll be in demand for commercial, legal, and financial jobs.
Based on the available data from BLS.gov, the average annual salary for geographers as of May 2021 was $85,220. A geography major equips learners for employment opportunities in the fast-growing research and higher education fields. Imagine an education with hands-on training, a multidisciplinary approach, and a comprehensive approach covering the scientific and social sciences.
When it comes to a worthwhile degree, there’s got to be a practical curriculum, accreditation, and career options for graduates. To this end, we have outlined the best geography schools online for aspiring students across the US. Let’s explore together!
Article Navigation: What is Geography? | Programs Offered at the Best Schools for Geography | How to Choose Your A Geography School | 5 Best Geography Schools Online | Certifications in Geography Courses | Career Outlook | Human Geography Jobs | Environmental Geography Jobs | Physical Geography Jobs | Professional Geography Organizations | FAQs | Conclusion
What is Geography?
Geography is the broad study of the environmental and physical features as they relate to the universe. As geographers analyze the planet, the one aspect of geography that unites the field and distinguishes it from other academic disciplines is examining the earth based on a spatial perspective. Geographical studies concentrate on locations worldwide since the spatial viewpoint allows one to visualize the occurrence they are researching on a map.
What is Human Geography, and Why is it Important?
Human geography is a branch/area of geography that focuses on people and how they interact with one another and other places, economies, communities, and cultures. Human geography focuses on the significance of geography as a discipline of study. It conveys the idea of spatial configuration to learners. Understanding diverse environmental interactions and linkages among locations and landscapes begin with identifying the locations of events, people, and places.
What is Physical Geography?
Physical geography refers to studying the earth’s natural characteristics, including how they are created, interact, relate to one another, and evolve. Physical geography covers various topics, such as climate, land, water, and how they impact human populations.
Types of Programs at the Best Schools for Geography
In a geography degree course, students usually learn more about the weather, water, and land. They will also discuss how people and the environment interact and influence one another. In addition, learners majoring in geography will be taught in-depth and vital aspects of geospatial representation, human geography, and physical geography.
Best Minors for an Affordable Degree in Geography Online
The following are Minors programs that seamlessly accompany a geography degree;
- Regional and Urban Analysis
- Cartography
- Earth Systems Science
- Geographic Information Systems
- World Trade and International Business
Difference Between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography
The primary distinction between the degrees is that a bachelor of science (BS) in geography instructs undergrads along the natural and physical sciences path, which later branches out into different sub-fields in geography. In contrast, a bachelor of arts (BA) in geography closely aligns students with social sciences and humanities.
Online Geography Degree Admission Requirements
For most geography majors, the admission requirements include a High school certificate, completion of academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
Best Geography Graduate Programs
To earn geography qualifications in this field, candidates must choose from widely recognized graduate programs such as Master of Science in Applied Geospatial Sciences and Master of Geoscience.
Best Geography Schools: How to Choose
Degree Level
Depending on your current level of education, the two main levels of education to choose from are undergraduate and postgraduate. Most undergraduate levels last three to four years, while master’s programs in geography last between one to two years.
Cost
In reality, students should enroll in institutions they can afford. While tuition costs vary across colleges/universities and on the nature of the program (master’s or bachelor’s), applicants must factor in these costs to avoid unforeseen problems while enrolled.
Admission Requirements
For a bachelor’s program in geography, applicants must have taken some geography classes in high school and have received decent scores in respective GED exams. For master’s degree programs in geography, candidates must submit their undergraduate transcript from accredited colleges.
Program Format
Generally, the best geography graduate programs are available in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats. We advise that you choose the best study format that suits your convenience and career objectives.
Location
Location is not necessarily a barrier for most candidates enrolled in an online geography degree. However, students considering on-campus learning for any of their education should consider their proximity to the institution.
Accreditation
Before the commencement of your geography course, you need to enroll in only accredited universities or colleges within the country. Whether you are opting for a hybrid, online, or campus learning format, ensure to confirm the accreditation status of the institution of your choosing.
Financial Aid
In most colleges, the geography department provides several merit-based scholarships annually to undergraduate/postgraduate geography majors. To be eligible, candidates must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 and at least 30 semester study hours. The Financial aid could also be in-form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships.
Note: Eligibility requirements vary across different universities and colleges.
5 Best Geography Schools Online
This section will outline some of the best undergraduate programs and masters in online geography coursework.
Liberty University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Geography
Duration: 3.5 years (41 months)
Liberty University offers an online geography degree to deserving students globally. The academic curriculum is divided into three primary sections: elective courses, foundational topics, and major courses. In their lessons, candidates will study probability and statistics, economics, fundamentals of the earth, and government.
The major-specific courses provide a detailed overview of political geography, physical geography, geographic Information Systems, and geographic research. Graduates will study worldwide issues in geography, cultural anthropology, and regional geography. Demography and human geography are also core classes that students will learn about. In addition, the degree program exposes students to the fundamentals of meteorology and oceanography.
Oregon State University
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Geography and Geospatial Science
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Oregon State University provides an online BS in Geography and Geospatial Science via its distance learning platform. Learners in this program gain robust knowledge in geospatial technology and science, human geography, and physical geography. Graduates apply critical thinking and spatial reasoning to analyze, create, and synthesize data; model interactions between people and their surroundings; and assess current geographical issues.
Through this curriculum, students learn how to identify problems, solve them, and communicate with various audiences on current geographic issues through several media. Oregon State University offers one of the best geography undergraduate programs to date.
American Public University System
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Natural Science
Duration: 2 years
American Public University System offers an online BS in Natural Science. In this program, students will complete both practical and virtual laboratory assignments at home to enhance the lessons taught via the online classroom. The scientific method utilized in research, as well as the philosophy and history of science, are all covered in this program.
Learners will hone their communication, research, and scientific analysis skills in this program as they learn about the interaction between people and the natural environment. The core competencies gained through this curriculum are essential for carrying out the duties of technicians, scientists, laboratory managers, and biologists. In addition, it serves as a good starting point for graduate education within the natural sciences field.
Ohio University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Degree Offered: Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science /Geospatial Analysis & Programming
Duration: 1 year
Ohio University offers an online GIS with a concentration in Geospatial analysis and programming. The certificate program is tailored for candidates seeking top-notch GIS programming and analytical skills to remain competitive in the software and computational design areas of mapping technology and GIS. Upon the program completion, graduates will have in-depth knowledge to:
- Accurately recognize issues and occurrences requiring the application of GIS technologies and geospatial data.
- Show that you have hands-on experience with GIS tools for geospatial analysis, database administration, and mapping.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how and when to use vital web-mapping technologies (e.g., MapBox, ArcGIS Online, Javascript) for sharing and creating interactive web maps.
- Define and explain the main theoretical challenges and new developments influencing spatial information computational representation, visualization, and analysis.
Coursework areas include Cartography, Application development, and GIS Design.
Johns Hopkins University
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Degree Offered: Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems
Duration: 1 to 2 years
Johns Hopkins University provides an online MSc. In Geographic Information Systems. The robust curriculum provides learners with a complete foundation in predictive analytics, big data technologies, geospatial data science, application, and programming development.
Coursework areas in this program comprise:
- Predictive Analytics
- Application Development and GIS Programming
- Advanced Geospatial Technology
In this program, graduates will take elective courses in Cartographic Visualization and Design, Python Scripting, Drones, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Geospatial Technology. Before completion of the academic program, graduates will take on a capstone project where they will address problems that matter in real-world settings by combining all the knowledge gained in the program. Students will showcase how geographic data systems can resolve a real-world issue while being supervised by a faculty advisor.
Certifications in Geography Courses
- Geomatics and Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate
- Geographic Information Systems Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science /Geospatial Analysis and Programming
- Graduate Certificate in Geotechnics
- Earth Data Analytics / Foundations Graduate Certificate
- Geography Education Graduate Certificate
Career Outlook for Geography School Grads
The first question of any aspiring student is, “What can I do with a geography degree?” The potential career paths for geography majors will be explored based on different aspects of geography and the obtainable jobs available for each field of geography. Some of the entry-level geography jobs include:
Surveyor
The term 'surveyor' can refer to a variety of positions. Quantity, building, land, residential, and commercial surveyors are all examples of surveyors. Surveyors take precise land measurements and are typically responsible for looking up information about the land’s past characteristics to identify any changes. The surveying they are conducting will frequently dictate what assessments they should take.
The geography degree salary of an entry-level graduate working as a surveyor is $61,600 per annum, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Job growth in this field is expected to rise by 2% over the next ten years.
Town Planner (Regional and Urban)
Town planners make crucial decisions about the growth and management of cities, villages, countryside, and towns. They seek to strike a balance between the competing demands for agriculture, industrial development, transportation, housing, and the environment to enable suitable economic expansion.
According to BLS, the geography degree salary of an entry-level graduate working as a regional and urban planner is $78,500 annually. The employment of regional and urban planners was projected to grow by 7% from the year 2020 to 2030.
Note: The annual pay for most geography jobs is proportional to the graduate’s work experience.
Human Geography Jobs
Location Analyst
Location analysts may work in a variety of business and technology sectors. The job positions include property investigation and planning, market research, site investigation, marketing, acquisitions, etc. Their job functions include:
- Mapping an area’s features
- Mapping market growth across large geographic areas for business clients
- Generating location data to facilitate the creation of reports.
GIS Specialist
The operation of a GIS specialist varies based on the organization and industry they work. Typically, they engage in:
- Gathering of geographic data;
- Preserving, processing, and presenting geographic data;
- Converting paper maps into GIS datasets through digitization;
- Ensuring that GIS datasets are accessible to other organization members.
- Locating “assets,” e.g. (bridges, flood defenses, road barriers, street lights, etc.) with the use of GPS gadgets in the field.
According to PayScale, GIS specialists earn $59,475 annually as of May 2022.
Cartographer
A cartographer’s job mainly involves producing and developing maps. Many individuals utilize information generated by cartographers in their daily endeavors, such as in Ordnance Survey maps, tourist maps, road atlases, and SatNavs. The responsibilities in this field range from designing and creating the maps to more analytical work involving analyzing survey data and creating maps.
Based on BLS data, the median salary of Cartographers is $68,900 yearly as of May 2021. Human geography jobs, including cartographer employment, are projected to increase by 5% between the years 2020 to 2030.
Environmental Geography Jobs
Environmental Consultant
An environmental consultant may be employed by a business or operate independently. Environmental consulting typically entails collaborating with customers to identify environmental problems and offer solutions. They advise companies on how to satisfy regulatory emission levels or clean up water pollution at their workplace. Based on PayScale data, the median wage for an Environmental Consultant is $60,179 as of May 2022.
Conservation Scientist
Conservation scientists effectively manage the development and use of available natural resources. They offer suggestions to landowners on how to handle problems with soil erosion on farmland, for instance, to help them develop land effectively while protecting the environment.
According to BLS, the average annual salary for conservation scientists as of May 2021 was $63,750. Environmental geography jobs in this field are expected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030.
Physical Geography Jobs
Geospatial Analyst
Geospatial analysis is a growing field involving analyzing geographic data for various businesses and industries. A few of their functions are:
- Gather information from a variety of sources to fill geographic databases. GPS systems and unprocessed satellite data are some sources.
- Geocoding: the process of creating maps by entering exact locations into a single database
- Using 3D and electronic imaging techniques to present data.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a geoscientist as of May 2021 was $83,680.
Meteorologists
Meteorologists use land, sea, and atmosphere data to examine the reasons behind weather patterns. They create long- and short-range predictions of weather and climatic trends utilizing this data and mathematical and computerized models, which businesses, government, and the general public use to guide choices.
According to BLS, the average yearly salary for Meteorologists as of May 2021 was $94,570. Employment of Meteorologists in this field was forecasted to grow by 8% over the next ten years.
Note: Not all physical geography jobs are listed above.
Professional Geography Organizations
Professional organizations are helpful for graduates to network and connect with experts in their field. They also give job applicants an advantage as these show commitment and connection in their field. They all have unique requirements and may have fees, so be sure to research a variety of organizations to ensure those you choose to join are a good fit.
- Association of American Geographers (AAG)
- American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
- American Geographical Society
- University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS)
- National Geographic Society
FAQs: Best Geography Schools
Is a degree in geography worth it?
Yes, a lot of undergraduate students find geography to be an excellent major. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for social, life, and physical science occupations is projected to rise by 5% over the next ten years.
What is physical geography?
Physical geography refers to studying climate, atmosphere, landforms, oceans, etc.
Where can I study geography online?
Many accredited universities and colleges provide online geography courses to prospective students globally. A few of these institutions are; the University of Florida, the University of California, etc.
What qualifications do I need for a geography degree?
There are different entry criteria, which vary based on the course a candidate prefers. Humanities or geography at the A level are often prerequisites for human geography programs. Physical geography academic programs frequently require either a science or geography-based subject.
Is geography a BA or a BS?
Geography concentration is available as a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA).
What is geography?
Geography studies geographical locations and the interactions between individuals and their surroundings or environments. Geographers study the surface of the earth and the various human societies that live there.
What can I do with a geography degree?
With a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in geography, you can land careers such as:
- Environmental Consultant
- Spatial epidemiologist
- Environmental engineer
- Teacher
- Environmental scientist
What are the five themes of geography?
The five main themes of geography are region, place, movement, interaction, and human-environment.
Is a geography major lucrative?
Yes, a geography major is lucrative. However, it depends on the job role a graduate opts for in the field. For instance, on average, geospatial analysts make between $47,000 to $102,000 per year based on their level of experience, according to PayScale.
What are geography and environmental studies?
Geography and environmental studies help to analyze or examine the physical structures and scientific processes that make up the planet, as well as research how we affect the environment.
Are geography qualifications compulsory for associate programs in earth sciences?
Yes, it is.
What are the best geography courses?
Some of the best geography courses include:
- Geography
- Disaster Management
What is the ideal geography definition?
There is no specific geography definition because of its broader multidisciplinary integration. However, in simplest terms, geography is the study of the earth’s features and conditions.
Enroll at one of the Best School for Geography Today!
Geography is one of the most extensive areas of study and has one of the highest employment numbers among all undergraduate degrees. Candidates seeking to gain the inherent transferable skills obtainable in this field must enroll in an Online Geography Degree for this purpose. Meanwhile, you can check out our educational resources for more interesting academic programs that might interest you.