Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Geography

Earn one of the best interdisciplinary degrees in the world of science! Our rankings of the 10 top online bachelor’s programs in geography highlight unique majors, exciting career paths, and fascinating undergraduate research opportunities. Still unsure about choosing geography for your field? Use the guide to learn more about online BS & BA degrees in geography offered by regionally accredited universities in the USA.

What Can You Do with an Online Bachelor’s in Geography?

Universities like to say that a bachelor’s degree in geography focuses on the “why of where.” That means geographers love investigating complex questions about the physical world and human activity. How is climate change affecting the landscape? How are people living and working within cities? How can we take advantage of spatial data and maps to make new discoveries about our environment? Geographers are always thinking in terms of space.

On a practical level, that means a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Geography can serve as a jumping-off point to all kinds of jobs in data analysis, environmental science, market research, and policy planning. Geography students who are fascinated by technical tools & data become Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists, geospatial analysts, and cartographers. Those who are curious about the natural world find work as climate change analysts, sustainability experts, and environmental scientists. City lovers often end up as urban and regional planners.

In the past, it was difficult to earn a bachelor’s degree in geography online—universities were wary of offering a practical degree in a virtual format. But change is happening! 15+ schools in our directory have made the leap to online delivery. In our rankings, you’ll spot well-known names like Oregon State and Arizona State, affordable schools like Kennesaw State, and big public research universities like George Mason University. There’s a program here for almost everyone.

GIScience Jobs	Environmental Jobs	Human Activity Jobs
GIS Analyst/Specialist	Environmental Scientist	Urban Planner
Cartographer	Environmental Consultant	Transportation Planner
Geospatial Analyst	Climate Change Analyst	Location Analyst
Remote Sensing Analyst	Sustainability Consultant	Demographer
GIS Developer	Conservation Officer	Geography Teacher
Geospatial Data Scientist	Natural Resource Manager	Disaster Response Planner
Hydrologist	Environmental Health & Safety Officer	Land Surveyor

Geography Rankings Methodology

For our 2026 rankings, we set out to find online degrees in geography that gave a strong return on investment. First, we considered the school’s reputation among employers. Seven schools in our top 10 appear in U.S. News & World Report rankings for geography; the top four schools also achieved a U.S. News ranking for geosciences.

Secondly, we calculated the total cost of each degree and factored the price into our algorithm.

Under each program’s profile, we’ve provided a 2026 tuition estimate based on full-time enrollment over 4 years. This number includes any mandatory distance learning fees.
In a number of cases, the total price is different for in-state and out-of-state students. To keep things fair, we used the out-of-state tuition rate in our rankings algorithm.
Prices will change if you’re enrolled on a part-time basis and tuition rates tend to rise each year, so take these numbers as a starting point for your own research.

Our rankings algorithm also factors in debt, salary, and completions data. That’s why George Mason University’s program, which has a pretty hefty ticket price, ranks so highly (#3). It’s second only to Park University (#10) in post-graduation earnings amongst all the schools in our top 10.

It was a particularly tight race in 2026! Oregon State just edged out Arizona State to snag the #1 spot. Oregon State’s program receives excellent reviews from alumni, so we’re pleased to see it doing well. If you’re struggling to afford the price of programs in our top 5, check out degrees from Kennesaw State University (#6) and Fort Hays State University (#8). The cost of Kennesaw State’s online bachelor’s in geography is under $26k.

Note: Don’t miss our companion rankings of the Best Online Bachelor’s in GIS.

Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Programs in Geography

1 Oregon State University

Overview | Online BS in Geography and Geospatial Science

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Physical Geography; Climate Change; Sustainability; GIS; Cartography; Remote Sensing; Geographic Field Research; Field Geography + Electives + Final Experience
Estimated Total Cost: $69,120
Accreditation: NWWCU

Program Summary

Oregon State’s Online BS in Geography & Geospatial Science is so strong that it also earned a top 3 spot in our rankings of the Best Online Bachelor’s in GIS! But it’s an equally great choice for anyone in love with geographic principles and ideas. This BS features wide-ranging credits in areas such as global societies & justice, environmental change, and resource conflict & cooperation. Plus there is plenty of technical work in geospatial modelling & analysis. The icing on the cake? Oregon State includes an experiential learning requirement. All BS students must tackle geographic field research and field geography, and complete a final project (e.g. internship, research, or thesis).

It doesn’t stop there! As an online student, you have the option to apply to the Honors College, add a minor, and/or collaborate on research initiatives. Because of its location, the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) has a storied reputation in oceanography and faculty members are doing all kinds of interesting things in atmospheric sciences, the geosphere, water, and coastal geography. Be sure to ask the program coordinator about the paid Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. Qualified students who participate in this summer internship program can look forward to paid round-trip travel to Oregon, on-campus housing, and a weekly stipend.

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OSU’s Online BS in Geography and Geospatial Science

2 Arizona State University

Overview | Online BS in Geography | Online BA in Geography

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: GIS; Physical Geography; Human Geography; Scientific Thinking in Natural Sciences; Statistics for Geography & Planning; Sustainability; Geographic Research Methods + Electives + Capstone (Bachelor of Science) | GIS; Physical Geography; Human Geography; World Geography; Natural Science; Second Language; Geographic Research Methods + Electives + Capstone (Bachelor of Arts)
Estimated Total Cost: $55,532 (AZ Residents); $75,488 (Out-of-State)
Accreditation: HLC

Program Summary

ASU’s online bachelor’s degrees in geography are close siblings. The BA & BS share the same courses, labs, and field trips in fundamental subjects such as physical geography. However, there are a few key differences once you start digging into the curriculum.

The Online BS in Geography has more of a research feel, with credits in GIS, scientific thinking in natural sciences, statistics, social & behavioral sciences, and sustainability. As a BS graduate, you may gravitate toward research, analyst positions, consulting, and urban planning roles. You may even wish to consider earning an online BS as part of an Accelerated Master’s program.
The Online BA in Geography still has a solid core of math & science and mandatory courses in GIS and research methods, but there will also be opportunities to complete credits in a second language, literacy & critical inquiry, cultural diversity, and global awareness. As a BA graduate, you could explore work in government, non-profits, community development, and foreign service.

The best news? Both online bachelor’s programs include a dizzying number of electives in the final two years of the degree. You’ll be able to customize your plan of study to focus on advanced GIS and geospatial tools & techniques.

After you’ve vetted the curriculum, visit the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning to learn how you can take advantage of their resources. For instance, you may wish to combine 400-level electives in spatial analysis and statistics with capstone work in the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC). Or you could investigate the intersection of geodesign and urban planning. Both the Southwest Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL) and the Urban Climate Research Center have a vested interest in improving urban ecosystems in arid climates like the Southwest. We also recommend asking the program coordinator if virtual learners can select the internship as an elective and/or work for the Geospatial Research Solutions (GRS) group. GRS provides professional services to industry and government.

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ASU’s Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Geography

3 George Mason University

Overview | Online BS in Geography | Online BA in Geography

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Physical Geography; Human Geography; Geoinformation Technologies; Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis; GIS; Cartographic Design + Breadth & Experience Courses + Electives + Concentration + Capstone
Estimated Total Cost: $57,264 (VA Residents); $159,408 (Out-of-State)
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

Although the core coursework for Mason’s two online undergraduate programs in geography is the same, the similarities end there. Once you reach the breadth & experience courses and concentration, the BS and BA have a distinctively different approach.

The Online BS in Geography is the one to pick for anything to do with technical realms. See the catalog for proof. You’ll be required to complete three mandatory courses in spatial computing, remote sensing, and analytic geometry & calculus, a systematic course, a regional course, electives, and a concentration in Geoinformatics, GEOINT or Urban Science. There’s a fair amount of high level GIS, field mapping, and remote sensing work in those concentrations!
In contrast, the Online BA in Geography features requirements in natural science and a foreign language. You’ll be required to complete one systematic course and one regional course, electives, and a concentration in Environmental Geography, Health Geography, Geoanthropology, or Urban Planning. Visit the catalog to view the concentration coursework and compare it with the BS. You’ll notice that Urban Planning is not the same as the BS concentration in Urban Science!

You’ll find both of these degrees within the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science (GGS), which benefits from Mason’s proximity to the DC area and government agencies. The Department runs its own Center for Geospatial Intelligence (CGEOINT), offers online graduate programs in that subject, and has a research expenditure of ~$7M per year. Browse through the list of GGS faculty advisors and their areas of interest to gain inspiration for your senior year capstone project. Mason doesn’t offer special tuition rates for online students, so this program is going to be best for Virginia residents.

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Mason’s Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Geography

4 University of Florida

Overview | Online BA in Geography | Online BA in Geography: Environmental Geosciences

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Dynamic Planet Earth; People, Place & Culture or Global & Regional Economics; Quantitative Analysis for Geographers + Technique Courses (e.g. GIS) + Regional Geography + Electives + Optional Honors Thesis (Bachelor of Arts) | Dynamic Planet Earth; GIS; Geology; Earth Materials + Geography Electives + Geology Electives + Optional Honors Thesis (Environmental Geosciences)
Estimated Total Cost: $15,502 (FL Residents); $66,315 (Out-of-State)
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

At UF, you can opt for a standard bachelor of arts or select a unique major in geosciences that was developed in conjunction with the Department of Geological Sciences. Compare the degrees side by side using the undergraduate catalog.

The Online BA in Geography examines all aspects of geography, including regional differences and cultures. You’ll study GIS in the two mandatory technique courses, and you can choose electives in areas like GIS programming and undergraduate research in geospatial trends.
In contrast, the Online BA in Geography: Environmental Geosciences is focused on land and water aspects of the environment, including areas like disaster planning, resource management, and environmental law. There’s almost as much work in geology as in geography.

For Florida residents, UF is one of the best deals in the country! It’s not as cheap for out-of-state applicants, but it’s still more manageable than some undergraduate programs. The Department of Geography has stakes in geospatial artificial intelligence (GEO:AI), global health & environmental change, sustainability, and more. But we were particularly intrigued by faculty who are focusing on geospatial analysis & techniques. If you choose an individual work project, undergraduate research, and/or an honors thesis for your BA electives, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with them on ideas. Before applying, ask the program coordinator if virtual students can add the Undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Analysis to their plan of study.

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UF’s Online BA in Geography

5 Texas State University

Overview | Online BS in Geography and Environmental Studies

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: World Geography; Physical Geography; Cultural Geography; GIS; Global Environmental Change; Research Methods + Electives + Minor
Estimated Total Cost: $48,600
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

Seeking to finish your undergraduate degree? Texas State’s Online BS in Geography & Environmental Studies is a transfer-friendly program that accepts up to 90 credits. The curriculum features a standard core of work in geography disciplines & GIS, accompanied by electives in technical areas (e.g. advanced GIS and remote sensing), science (e.g. climatology), and career-friendly topics (e.g. energy resource management). The key distinguishing factor for Texas State is the mandatory 18-24 credit minor. For instance, you could choose to specialize in public health, public administration, international studies, or communications.

This is a practical degree for folks who need a low-interaction qualification. There are multiple start dates per year and no fieldwork requirements. Having said that, you can ask the program coordinator if it’s possible to choose a remote internship as an elective. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies gets glowing reviews from graduate students and it runs its very own Texas Center for Geographic Information Science. Texas State is close to the San Marcos River and Spring Lake, so anyone with an interest in water & parks can reach out to the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The BS includes an elective in parks & protected places.

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Texas State’s Online BS in Geography and Environmental Studies

6 Kennesaw State University

Overview | Online BA in Geography

Availability: 100% Online or Hybrid
Program Focus: Digital Earth; Research Methods; Human Geography; World Regional Geography; Weather & Climate or Landforms; Foreign Language + Geography Electives + Internship or Directed Applied Research + Capstone Project
Estimated Total Cost: $25,520
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

Affordability is a major selling point! Within these Best rankings, KSU’s Online BA in Geography is the cheapest program for students from any state. It also has more of a interdisciplinary feel than some of the degrees that we’ve profiled. If you examine the curriculum requirements in the university catalog, you’ll find a lot of credits in human and physical geography. There is a mandatory course in geographic techniques (e.g. GIS), but you’ll need to use the upper-division and free electives to focus on areas like cartographic processes, terrain analysis, remote sensing, and the like. Technical folks should add an Undergraduate Certificate in GIS and/or consider the Online BS in Geospatial Sciences.

Another plus for KSU? The Department of Geography and Anthropology actively supports student research. It sends undergraduates to the KSU Symposium of Student Scholars each year, sponsors an on-campus GIS Day, and encourages students to apply for American Association of Geographers (AAG) awards and competitions. All folks enrolled in the BA are expected to complete an internship or applied research with a faculty member, so don’t be afraid to ask the program coordinator how online students have fulfilled this requirement and get in touch with alumni for their opinions. You may also want to consider how you can draw upon the Department’s GIS Resources for your capstone project.

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KSU’s Online BA in Geography

7 University of North Alabama

Overview | Online BS in Geography | Online BA in Geography

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Sustainable Earth; Climate Change; Global Environments & Societies; People, Place, and Culture; Geographic Exploration; Cartography & Visualization; GIS + Physical Geography/Earth Science Courses + Tools & Technologies Courses + Regional Geography + Experiential Learning + Concentration + Capstone
Estimated Total Cost: $49,800
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

At UNA, you have the choice between an Online BS in Geography or an Online BA in Geography. The only big difference between the two is that the BA contains six hours of a foreign language. In all other respects, they are the same. And they are very thorough! The BS & BA feature coursework in everything from the history of geographic exploration to hard science to technical training in GIS, digital earth, field methods, and cartography. Once you reach the concentration, you can specialize in Professional Geography or Sustainability. There’s also a mandatory experiential learning requirement such as a field course, study abroad, or internship, followed by a research-based capstone.

UNA’s Department of Geoscience is small, but that may suit folks who want a close relationship with faculty members. Think teaching-intensive rather than research-intensive. The Department has a refreshingly diverse group of professors, offers scholarships, and supports an unusually active UNA Geography Alumni Association (UNAGAA). You’ll find typical employers of UNA geography graduates listed in the Alumni & Career section. Once you’ve evaluated the coursework, head over to UNA’s Online BA/BS in GIS to compare approaches. The GIS undergraduate program earned the #7 spot in our Best GIS rankings!

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UNA’s Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Geography

8 Fort Hays State University

Overview | Online BS in Geosciences (Geography)

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Earth & Environmental Systems; Cultural Geography; World Geography; Cartography; United States Geography; Statistics or Biostatistics or Geostatistics; GIS; Remote Sensing; Field Studies in Geography + Electives + Internship in Geosciences or Problems in Geosciences
Estimated Total Cost: $31,806
Accreditation: HLC

Program Summary

Get out and exploring! FHSU’s highly affordable Online BS in Geosciences (Geography) is an interdisciplinary program with a number of hands-on elements, including GIS labs, fieldwork, study abroad opportunities, and a mandatory internship or research project. So it may be a good choice for freshmen who want some of the flavor of an on-campus degree. We were pleased to see the inclusion of statistics in the curriculum, as well as work in GIS, remote sensing, and cartography. For the field studies element, you’ll embark on a field trip somewhere in the USA.

The program is housed within FHSU’s Department of Geosciences, which supports a number of geosciences clubs, social pages, and alumni groups. If you’re interested in GIS, talk to the program coordinator about how you can incorporate the virtual Certificate in GIS User into your plan of study. You may even wish to ask if you can collaborate with faculty members on specific research experience opportunities. Another tip? Ask to speak to recent graduates. Some are now working for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Northrop Grumman, Esri, and Garmin.

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FHSU’s Online BS in Geosciences (Geography)

9 University of Texas at San Antonio

Overview | Online BA in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Availability: 100% Online
Program Focus: Physical Geography; Global Sustainability; GIS; Spatial Analysis; Geography Fundamentals or World Regions & Global Change; Regional Geography + Electives + Signature Experience Capstone
Estimated Total Cost: $54,000
Accreditation: SACSCOC

Program Summary

Fascinated by urban planning & sustainable landscapes? UTSA’s Online BA in Geography & Environmental Sustainability may be right up your alley. Once you’ve grounded yourself in geography principles, GIS fundamentals, and spatial analysis, you can start to customize your program in relevant electives. For example, you could blend courses from the tracks in GIS & Cartography or Urban Studies. All students in the BA must complete UTSA’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) Second Language Experience and a COLFA Signature Experience. This can take the form of an applied research project, internship, study abroad trip, or another relevant activity.

San Antonio is near the border with Mexico, which means the Department of Political Science and Geography is grappling with all kinds of fascinating challenges in urban development, migration, resource management, environmental sustainability, and border issues. Take a look at the faculty research work being done by Dr. Neil Debbage (e.g. urban climatology and heat & flood threats) and Dr. Richard Jones (e.g. undocumented migrations and Texas/Mexico borderlands) for proof. In addition to GIS training, the BA teaches job-friendly skills in areas like environmental impact assessments and policy analyses. One thing to note for Texans—the Social Studies Teaching Track for this BA is not available online.

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UTSA’s Online BA in Geography & Environmental Studies

10 Park University

Overview | Online BS in Geography

Availability: 100% Online or Hybrid
Program Focus: Cultural Geography; Geography of North America; Physical Geography; Global Sustainability; GIS + Liberal Education Requirements + Geography Electives + GIS Undergraduate Certificate + Capstone Assessment
Estimated Total Cost: $76,200
Accreditation: HLC

Program Summary

Choose Park’s Online BS in Geography and you’ll be able to customize your plan of study with a dedicated certificate in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The core of the BS is conventional enough, with credits in human and physical geography, sustainability, and fundamental GIS concepts. But the GIS undergraduate certificate is where things start to get really interesting. You’ll have opportunities to work in cartography, remote sensing, and GIS laboratory projects. In the first half of the final semester, all BS students complete a capstone assessment to prove they have mastered the program’s core competencies.

Park is a private university, so tuition will be more expensive than an online program at a public university within your state. However, it does offer heavily discounted tuition rates for military and active duty dependents and plenty of undergraduate scholarships. This degree is also part of the Air University – Associates to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program. (AU-ABC students must choose the minor in Military Studies.) In addition, geography students who earn a GPA of at least 3.3 in the first three semesters of their geography studies can apply to join the Park University chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the International Geographic Honor Society.

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Park’s Online BS in Geography

The Pros & Cons of an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Geography

Schools have made great strides in virtual learning for undergraduate geography students, but it’s useful to put together a pros & cons list before you make a decision. Geography is a hands-on discipline and you won’t want to miss out on a quality education.

Pros: You’ll have a flexible study schedule, no commuting costs, and the ability to choose a geography program that suits your career interests (instead of being limited to what’s close by). If you live in a state like Florida, tuition for online programs at public universities can be eminently affordable.
Cons: You may find it a challenge to take part in fieldwork & practical labs. It could be more difficult to collaborate with your professors on their research work. You may not be able to apply for certain scholarships. And you won’t be in place to attend departmental events or join student groups.

This is why we’ve gone into a lot of detail in the rankings profiles about the all-important “extras.” We’re talking about elements like experiential learning requirements, internships, study abroad experiences, field studies, and research projects. Take full advantage of everything the degree has to offer!

Before applying, ask the program coordinator how online students participate in labs and field work. Many GIS technologies can be handled remotely, but you’ll need to know if you’ll be working on home-based assignments in your local environment or taking part in virtual field trips & simulations. To help students get their hands dirty, some schools offer optional in-person intensives and workshops.

Bachelor of Science vs. Bachelor of Arts in Geography

After browsing through the profiles in our rankings, you may be wondering which online degree is better—a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Geography. The answer depends on your passions, strengths, and career goals.

The simplest way to identify the differences is to find Departments of Geography that offer both programs and compare their curricula. Examine Arizona State University, George Mason University, and the University of North Alabama to see what we mean. For example:

Bachelor of Arts: Although both the BA and the BS in Geography may share many of the same General Education (GE) requirements, BA degrees almost always have a foreign language requirement. If you’re considering geography-related job roles in the government and international organizations, that second language can come in very handy.
Bachelor of Science: In the first two years of the degree, a BS may give you more opportunities to study hard sciences (e.g. chemistry and biology) as well as university-level mathematics (e.g. calculus and statistics) and research courses. That’s why some students choose the BS in order to prepare for research jobs or an MS degree.

It’s important to note that some of the online BA programs that we have profiled have a substantial amount of coursework in GIScience, physical geography, and technical domains. Always view the undergraduate catalog to learn what concentrations and electives are available; you may also wish to add a minor or an undergraduate certificate in GIS to your plan of study.

In reality, most working professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in geography say the title matters much less than real-world experience. Employers will be looking at your résumé to see evidence of internships, research work with faculty, industry projects, and field skills. And pay attention to where the university is located—if you’re fascinated by arid climates, Arizona State is going to be a much better choice than Oregon State.

Which Major is Better: Geography or GIScience?

The answer will come down to personal preferences! Compare the online geography degrees in our rankings with the online programs in our GIS rankings to get a quick overview of the key differences.

Geography: An undergraduate degree in geography will give you a thorough grounding in every aspect of the field. You’ll typically study physical geography and human geography, explore topics like sustainability and climate change, and have the option to select a concentration in a sub-topic such as urban planning, biogeography, or environmental geosciences. Courses in GIS tools and GIScience will be included, but not prioritized.
GIScience/GIS: An undergraduate degree in GIS or GIScience will move much more quickly toward technical coursework. For a classic example, compare the plans of study for Arizona State’s BA and BS in Geography with its Online BS in Geographic Information Science. In a GIS program, you’ll have more opportunities to explore programming, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and advanced GIS applications. This is a degree for folks who adore tools & technologies.

If you’re concerned that a geography degree won’t have enough GIS training, there will be ways to supplement the coursework (e.g. undergraduate certificate or minor). But the most important thing to remember—as one geographer on Reddit noted—is that: “It’s about what you do, more than what you study.”

While you’re at university, invest your efforts into tackling GIS & remote sensing internships and GIS-related research projects with your professors. Present your work at conferences and symposiums. Create a portfolio of projects. Reach out to the Department of Geography’s industry partners to work on GIS challenges. That’s what employers want to see.

Geography Career Resources

Geography Associations & Organizations

Use these links to identify which geography-related organizations you might like to join. For instance, GIScience students should investigate ASPRS, URISA, and WiGis. Visit the website to learn what’s on offer. A number of organizations offer student membership discounts, undergraduate scholarships, and research funds. Some publish their own journals and run their conferences & symposiums—check out the Esri User Conference (UC).

Scholarships for Geography Students

In addition to this list, talk to the BA or BS program coordinator about what geography scholarships & opportunities are available through the university. Departments of Geography usually have a section on their website that talks about funding avenues, research possibilities, and university scholarships. Big public university systems like the University of California (UC) will also have info about opportunities offered by their sister schools.

Geography Research Opportunities

Think about how you could create your own research and apprenticeship opportunities. Most of your professors will have side projects in geography research and many will be working with big-name companies. Sit down with them over a coffee to brainstorm how you could apply your coursework to an industry project.

Geography Internships & Apprenticeships

After you’ve visited these links, use generative AI tools to identify geography scholarships and internships that apply to your specific situation. For example, EarthScope offers a unique Geo-Launchpad Program (GLP) that’s only for community college students. It includes a paid summer internship with free shared housing, local field trips, and a trip to a professional conference.