An online GIS degree is shorthand for a bachelor's in Geographic Information Systems, and it's designed to equip you with the technical skills to analyze spatial data and apply geospatial technologies across urban planning and environmental management sectors. With flexible learning options, students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools to prepare for dynamic careers in the field.
Key Takeaways:
- Arizona State University Online hosts a GIS degree online, and it comes in at #1 as the most popular online school with over 50,000 distance learners.
- The University of Arizona features an online degree in GIS and boasts an 86% retention rate overall, ranking #1 for best student engagement on our list.
Schools are featured based on online student representation. Our ranking methodology emphasizes presenting a list of accredited schools prioritized by online enrollment figures focused on degree level. We evaluate schools using the 6-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), alongside a manual audit process to ensure accuracy.
List Of Accredited Online Geographic Information Systems Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University, Online | $24,780 | |
| Liberty University | 35,243 | $11,700 |
| UMass Global | 9,390 | $15,000 |
| University of Arizona | 6,616 | $15,750 |
| Troy University | 4,711 | $12,720 |
| South Dakota State University | 1,722 | $10,642 |
| Western Illinois University | 937 | $10,095 |
2025 Best Online GIS Degrees
- Online Enrollment: 50,637 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $24,780
- Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
Online degree:
Why we like them: ASU's online program stands out, with over 50,000 students enrolled and an impressive retention rate of 85%. The GIS online degree equips students with essential skills in GIS, utilizing a 120-credit curriculum featuring advanced courses like Programming Principles and Statistics. This program enhances problem-solving abilities relevant to climate change and urban planning, combined with hands-on experience through internships or capstone projects. Additionally, we like that students can pursue an accelerated master's degree in related fields, making it a strong choice for career advancement.
- Online Enrollment: 35,243 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
- Location: Lynchburg (VA)
Online degree:
Why we like them: LU boasts an impressive online enrollment of 35,243 students, placing it among the top 1% of most popular online universities nationwide. The Bachelor of Science in Geography specializing in Physical Geography requires 120 credit hours and features 8-week courses. This accredited program allows for the transfer of up to 75% of credits and equips students with skills in geographic research, GIS tools, data visualization, and sustainability. Fundamental courses include Physical Geography, Human Geography, and GIS for Hydrological Applications, preparing graduates for various career opportunities.
- Online Enrollment: 9,390 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,000
- Locations: Multiple Locations
Online degree:
Why we like them: UMass Global offers an online business administration bachelor's in GIS designed for working professionals, allowing for flexible learning. The program features customizable electives across ten emphasis areas, including GIS and Data Analytics, and covers critical business functions such as accounting, finance, marketing, and operations management. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, the program ensures a quality education that prepares graduates for career success.
- Online Enrollment: 6,616 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $15,750
- Locations: Tucson (AZ) (and 1 other)
Online degree:
Why we like them: UA ranks with a 4th place standing due to its online enrollment of over 6,600 students, highlighting its strong engagement in remote learning. The online GIS degree is a 120-credit hour program designed to equip students with professional GIS skills, aligning with the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 Geospatial Technology Competency Model. With Cartography, Geo-Visualization, Web and Mobile Applications, and Remote Sensing coursework, the GIST program prepares graduates for immediate entry into the tech workforce through a project-based approach, including a senior capstone project.
- Online Enrollment: 4,711 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $12,720
- Location: Troy (AL)
Online degree:
Why we like them: TROY stands out with a robust online enrollment, ranking among the top 7% of institutions. The GIS degree online equips students with skills in geospatial technologies like GNSS and LiDAR, catering to diverse industries, including healthcare and gaming. The program emphasizes proficiency in ArcGIS and prepares students for the GIS Certification Institute exam, enhancing earning potential. With online or on-campus course options, students can choose concentrations in General GIS or Geography and minors in Surveying and Geomatics Sciences or Unmanned Aerial Systems.
- Online Enrollment: 1,722 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $10,642
- Location: Brookings (SD)
Online degree:
Why we like them: SDSU is in the top 25% of institutions for online enrollment. Its 79% retention rate also demonstrates intense student satisfaction and engagement. The GIS program offers a bachelor's degree focusing on practical experience with geospatial technologies, covering areas like cartography, remote sensing, and human-environment interactions. Graduates can pursue careers as GIS analysts, urban planners, or cartographers, with opportunities at respected organizations such as EROS and Fugro Geospatial, making SDSU's online program a compelling choice for aspiring geospatial professionals.
- Online Enrollment: 937 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $10,095
- Location: Macomb (IL)
Online degree:
Why we like them: WIU hosts an online Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science that offers specializations in Geoenvironment, Planning, and Geospatial Science. Students gain hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art GIS laboratory and a meteorology lab that uses real-time data analysis. Opportunities for paid internships at the GIS Center allow learners to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges. With frequent faculty engagement, students receive personalized guidance from experienced professionals holding PhDs.
What Is An Online GIS Degree?
Geographic information science (GIS) combines computer science with environmental science to prepare students to map and analyze Earth's geography. GIS degree curricula teach various technology applications used in spatial data research and statistical analysis. Students use these skills to better understand urban planning, resource management, and forest conservation. Coursework is largely technical, including foundational and advanced classes in computer programming, statistics, and data analysis.
Regardless of the format, students should only apply to accredited schools. This ensures that an independent education agency has evaluated the program for quality.
Also, check out our list of the most affordable online GIS degrees that offer less expensive tuition.
How Long Does It Take To Get a GIS Degree Online?
Full-time students usually complete GIS online degrees in four years. This is because most programs require at least 120 credits to graduate. On the other hand, part-time students may take anywhere from five to eight years to graduate, depending on how many credits they take each semester.
GIS Specializations
GIS programs often come as concentrations that are part of general studies or business administration degrees or as standalone online GIS degrees with electives in specific areas like resource conservation or application development.
GIS is considered a subfield of geography because it centers on the technical aspects of the field. Therefore, GIS is often its own niche major with few options for additional specializations. The concentrations that are available may include areas like data analytics and natural resource conservation. Most GIS degrees online allow students to choose elective courses to further narrow the scope of their studies. These classes may cover remote sensing, sustainable geodesign, graphics and visualization, and surveying. GIS specializations are more commonly found at the master's level when students already have a foundational understanding of the material.
Common Courses
GIS online degrees feature a range of technical courses covering computer programming, information science, environmental science, natural science, and geography. Students learn everything from programming languages to map generation and data analysis techniques.
The list below provides prospective GIS majors with examples of courses commonly found in GIS degrees:
Intro to Geographic Information Science
This introductory course explores all areas of GIS, teaching students how to approach, analyze, and understand the field. They learn about spatial thinking and how to interpret and analyze geographical and spatial data using common problem-solving techniques. GIS history is also taught, including how early professionals used computers to organize geo data, is also taught.
Environmental Issues
GIS is often used to solve environmental issues, making this class crucial in understanding the importance of gathering and analyzing geographic information. Students examine degrading ecosystems, pollution, species extinction, and conservation. Then, they explore how GIS applications, such as satellite imaging and map creation, aid sustainability practices.
Geographic Information Systems
This technical course teaches students how to use common GIS computer software programs, often delivered through projects providing students with hands-on experience. Students learn to outline project scopes, define objectives, organize data, and analyze findings. They also look at data storage mechanisms, system applications, and map concepts.
Statistics for Geography and Planning
This data-intensive course explores the methods used to summarize and report urban planning and geographical science data. Students look at techniques such as inferential statistics to extrapolate on geographic data sets. Various models and theories are also taught, providing students with an introduction to statistical analysis.
Still undecided? Check out similar programs, including the best online degrees in computer science and environmental science degrees.
What Jobs Can I Get With a GIS Degree?
GIS graduates will be prepared for a variety of careers involving cartography, geospatial intelligence, surveying, urban planning, and resource management. The training received during their degree develops soft skills in critical thinking and problem-solving while building hard skills in coding and statistics. Students who took additional elective courses in computer languages and programming may be better suited for computer science careers. GIS master's degrees and certificates are also available that allow students to continue their education at the graduate level.
The following list outlines jobs that GIS students pursue after graduating with a bachelor's degree:
Geographers
work closely with data to study Earth's physical features. They utilize many aspects of GIS to gain geographic insights, discover relationships between humans and land, and track environmental trends. They rely on satellite imagery, photographs, and other visual data to create and update maps used by a range of organizations.
Foresters
manage and protect natural environments like parks, forests, and other wooded areas. They oversee many tasks, including maintaining trails, executing fire safety protocols, and monitoring wildlife habitats. Nearly half of foresters work for government agencies, where they track deforestation and advocate for better regulations and policies.
Surveyors
have fairly straightforward responsibilities, namely, to make land measurements. They travel to different locations, measure property lines, and use their findings to create reports for land deeds and maps. To do this, they use equipment such as theodolites and GPS. Most work for engineering or architectural firms, while others work for government agencies, such as the Department of the Interior.
Cartographers
create maps using GIS technology. This is done by capturing land measurements and attributes, analyzing them in computer programs, and turning that data into visual representations like digital maps. Cartographers may map uncharted land or create updated graphics for outdated maps. Most of their work is done in offices, although some roles require fieldwork.
How Much Money Can I Make With a GIS Degree?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics () provides salary information for several jobs in the GIS field. For four of the most common jobs (geographers, foresters, cartographers, and surveyors), the median annual salary ranges from $63,100 to $88,900. Among these careers, geographers have the highest salary while surveyors have the lowest.
GIS Licensure and Certification
GIS students sometimes seek additional certifications after graduation, which can help them apply for roles in specific fields. Employers may look more favorably at aspiring geographers and cartographers with a Certified GIS Professional credential from the GIS Certificate Institute ().
There are also technical certifications, such as the from the company that makes ArcGIS, one of the leading GIS software programs. Other roles require state licenses. Foresters, for example, are required to pass a licensing exam in certain states. Some states recognize the Certified Forester certification from the Society of American Foresters () as a way to supplement their exam.
Applying For a GIS Degree
Admission requirements vary from school to school, but first-year GIS students should expect to provide transcripts proving they graduated high school with at least a 2.0 GPA. Students should have completed secondary math, science, and geography courses before submitting their application. Other documents needed when applying to college sometimes include entrance exams and personal essays.
FAQs About GIS Degrees
Can You Get GIS Online Degrees?
Many schools offer respected online GIS degrees. Coursework is delivered through learning management systems such as Brightspace and Canvas. These software programs also allow students to engage in classroom discussions and remotely attend video lectures. Some degrees require the completion of internships that can be completed online or with an approved organization near the student.
Are GIS Degrees in Demand?
Some careers that require GIS degrees are in demand. Forester and conservation scientist jobs are expected to grow 4% over the next 10 years, just about the same rate as all other occupations. Surveyors are among the fastest-growing roles for GIS graduates at 5%. However, it's only slightly faster than average compared to the rest of the job market. Geographers have the slowest growth at only 1%.
Does GIS Require a Lot of Math?
Math isn't a significant component of GIS degrees, but a foundational understanding of algebra and calculus is needed to understand statistics related to geography and planning. Students also use their knowledge of math to participate in computer programming courses, which are essential to GIS degrees. Plus, mathematics courses are almost always part of core curriculums.
Is GIS Stressful?
Although GIS is a technical field, it's not often considered a stressful one. Most students pursue GIS because it's a field they enjoy, and they get to study subjects they are genuinely interested in. When it comes to GIS jobs, some are stressful, others aren't. This depends on many different factors, such as workload, deadlines, environment, job security, peer interaction, and management styles.
Are GIS Online Degrees Worth It?
Consider the following pros and cons:
Possible Benefits
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GIS professionals earn competitive salaries. Graduates shouldn't expect six figures, but most jobs earn a median annual salary above $60,000.
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Prepare to make a positive impact on the environment. GIS aids environmental conservation efforts in a ton of different ways, from analyzing forest diversity to tracking whale migration patterns.
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GIS curricula offer a good mix of technical training. Students learn to analyze statistical data, write programming languages, and utilize geospatial technologies.
Possible Drawbacks
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Job growth isn't as high as in other fields. Foresters and surveyors are only expected to see 1,300 and 2,300 new jobs added to the employment pool in the next ten years.
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GIS licenses may be required. There are 15 states that require college graduates to earn licenses before working as foresters.
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Many GIS jobs boil down to IT management. Although the subject matter may be related to the environmental sciences, many professionals work behind computer screens, tracking and managing datasets.
GIS degrees are excellent options for students interested in studying natural environments. They're also ideal for those with a penchant for mathematics, science, and geography. GIS is a constantly evolving field that changes as new GPS, satellite, and mapping technologies are released. This type of professional path may be exciting for students who are eager to continue learning long into their careers.
Student Reviews of Online Geographic Information Systems Programs
I really enjoyed my time at the University of Nebraska and believe that my bachelors in science will take me wherever I want to go. There needs to be more financial assistance for out of state students, however.
Review Date: 8/7/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Excellent GEO/GLY program. Taught mostly by people with real-world experience instead of dusty academics. On top of emerging technology; focuses on marketable skills instead of theory -- the goal is to graduate students ready for actual employment, and that is definitely what is happening. Access to educational trial software, professional testing, and professional organizations. Cannot say enough good things about EKU's geography & geology program.
Review Date: 4/29/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Simply a great school. The staff is helpful and it is easy to get the information you need from the web portal. My opinion is that this is a school way ahead of its time. The thinking behind the way the educational system teaches students is changing. The way people learn is changing and many of the traditional brick and mortar "only" schools are now realizing what Excelsior has built their philosophy off of. I waited entirely too long to go back to finish, but because of advances in technology and... Read More
Review Date: 10/7/2014
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The geography program is great. Very good instructors and many avenues to pursue. Prepares you well for the world while also providing resources to enjoy time in school. GIS can be applied to many things and can most likely be paired with another academic interests of yours
Review Date: 4/3/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes