Rankings Methodology
GIS is an interdisciplinary field, so we wanted to consider a range of quality factors when we were creating our rankings algorithm. Every school in the top 5 appears in at least one relevant U.S. News & World Report category related to geography & geoscience. These include geography, geoscience, environment/ecology, and earth science.
Schools at the top of our GIS rankings feature in all 4 categories. Better yet, our algorithm also factors in tuition costs. You don’t need to sacrifice quality for price!
Top 5 Online Bachelor’s Programs in GIS
1 University of Arizona
Overview | Online BS in Geographic Information Systems Technologies (GIST)
- Availability: 100% Online
- Program Focus: Cartography; Programming with Python; Remote Sensing; Geospatial Technologies; Geovisualization; Web & Mobile Applications
- Estimated Total Cost: $63,000
- Accreditation: HLC
Program Summary
We give UA a lot of credit for keeping up with the market. The 100% Online BS-GIST follows the U.S. Department of Labor’s Geospatial Technology Competency Model and it’s strong on practical tech courses. You’ll be schooled in Python, integrated geospatial techniques & methods (e.g. designing & developing a spatial product), and advanced GIS applications (e.g. dynamic segmentation, surface modeling, spatial statistics, etc.). There’s one course in statistical techniques for regional development and planning, but this is a better fit for aspiring developers & programmers.
The online BS program is the brainchild of UA’s School of Geography and Development and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, so it may also be a sensible choice for anyone interested in environmental applications. Have a look at the research work being done in remote sensing and the Southwest Climate. Tuition is not cheap, but you’ll graduate with marketable skills in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, data visualization, web mapping, GIS analysis, and more.
Explore the Degree
2 Arizona State University
Overview | Online BS in Geographic Information Science (GIS)
- Availability: 100% Online
- Program Focus: GIS Programming; Advanced Statistics for Geography & Planning; Geospatial Technologies; Spatial Analysis; Range of GIS Electives
- Estimated Total Cost: $49,272 (AZ Residents); $71,600 (Out-of-State)
- Accreditation: HLC
Program Summary
Customize your GIS degree to suit your career goals! ASU’s Online BS in GIS begins with foundational coursework in geography, GIS software & systems, advanced statistics, and computer programming (e.g. Python). Once you reach Terms 8-10, you can choose from a range of fascinating GIS electives (e.g. spatial regression analysis, spatial optimization, location analysis & modeling, geodesign & urban planning, etc.). For your final applied experience, you might opt to complete an internship, thesis, or creative project.
ASU is a solid pick if you’re interested in spatial studies & urban concerns. For proof, visit ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and explore the GIS-related projects within the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC) and Urban Climate Research Center. You may also want to chat with the program coordinator about the possibility of working on real-world projects during your studies—the School has its own Geospatial Research & Solutions (GRS) offshoot that provides geospatial support services to industry partners.
Explore the Degree
3 Oregon State University
Overview | Online BS in Geography & Geospatial Science
- Availability: 100% Online
- Program Focus: Geography & Environmental Change; GIS; Cartography; Remote Sensing; Field Geography; Geospatial Analysis; Geovisual Analytics
- Estimated Total Cost: $63,000
- Accreditation: NWCCU
Program Summary
Environmental data lovers, take note! Oregon State’s Online BS in Geography & Geospatial Science is an intriguing mix of big picture thinking and technical courses. You can study sustainability and the human dimensions of climate change. But you’ll also be drilled in cartography, remote sensing, and GIS techniques. Tech geeks can pursue electives in geospatial modeling & analysis. Others might wish to specialize in resource conflict & cooperation or environmental planning. The program ends with an internship, research project, or thesis.
Oregon State is a member of The University Consortium for Geographic Information Science and its College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) has an outstanding track record in oceanography. Ask the program coordinator if you can apply for the paid Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program and take a look at faculty research projects in geospatial technologies & analysis to start brainstorming areas of interest (e.g. climate modeling). You may even wish to browse through CEOAS’s magazines.
Explore the Degree
4 Old Dominion University
Overview | Online BS in Geography: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Availability: 100% Online
- Program Focus: Maps & Geographic Information; GIS; Remote Sensing; Spatial Analysis; Applied Cartography
- Estimated Total Cost: $44,880 (VA Residents); $48,840 (Out-of-State)
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Program Summary
Go hard on geography before you narrow your focus with ODU’s Online BS in Geography: GIS. All BS students are required to complete courses in human & environmental geography and maps & geographic information, as well as 18 credit hours of geography electives (e.g. oceanography, geomorphology, urban geography, etc.). After you’ve laid the foundation, you can tackle four courses in the GIS concentration, including digital techniques for remote sensing, applied cartography, and even the spatial analysis of coastal environments.
ODU might be a good pick for geographers who want to learn standard GIS tools & methods, but don’t want to dive too deep at the undergraduate level. For example, the curriculum doesn’t include specific coursework in programming with Python. Thanks to ODU’s location on the edge of the Atlantic, the Department of Political Science & Geography has a particular interest in coastal geography. It also has close links to ODU’s Center for Geospatial Science, Education, and Analytics (GeoSEA), which is doing some fascinating work in flood & hurricane modeling.
Explore the Degree
5 Marshall University
Overview | Online BS in Geography: Geospatial Information Science (GIScience)
- Availability: 100% Online
- Program Focus: Cartography; GIS; Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry; GIS Technologies; GIS Analysis & Applications
- Estimated Total Cost: $39,810
- Accreditation: HLC
Program Summary
Concerned about your budget? Marshall’s Online BS in Geography: GIScience is the most affordable program in our rankings. Your degree will be built around geography core requirements—including courses in GIS principles and cartography—but you’ll still have plenty of time to specialize in the GIScience area of emphasis. Get up to speed in remote sensing & photogrammetry, GIS technologies (e.g. GPS & mobile, drones, digital earth, etc.), and GIS analysis & applications (e.g. location analysis, enterprise GIS, spatial statistics, etc.).
Marshall is a mid-tier player in the world of geography. It doesn’t have the research funding & resources of the big universities, but the Geography Department produces a number of talented graduates. It might be a sensible choice if you prefer small classes and one-on-one interactions with faculty (even at a distance). You’ll notice that your potential professors have GIS interests in everything from urban neighborhoods & transportation networks to landscape ecology & environmental geography.
Explore the Degree
All Online Bachelor's in GIS Prorams
10 Schools Found
Alabama
Troy University
Department of Geospatial Informatics
Troy, Alabama
B.S. in Geographic Information Sciences
Offered Online
Arizona
Arizona State University
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Tempe, Arizona
University of Arizona
School of Geography, Development, and Environment
Tucson, Arizona
Illinois
Western Illinois University
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences
Macomb, Illinois
Maine
University of Maine at Machias
Division of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Machias, Maine
Oregon
Oregon State University
Department of Geography and Geospatial Science
Corvallis, Oregon
South Dakota
South Dakota State University
Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences
Brookings, South Dakota
Texas
Tarleton State University
Department of History, Sociology, Geography and GIS
Stephenville, Texas
Virginia
Old Dominion University
Department of Political Science & Geography
Norfolk, Virginia
West Virginia
Marshall University
Department of Geography
Huntington, West Virginia