You want to pursue advanced research in geography to increase your knowledge of earth science and geographical information systems? See for yourself the top geography graduate programs and all relating to its cost, acceptance requirements, and financial aid if you are going through financial challenges.
It would be best if you went for programs that give you opportunities for career advancement and also pave the way for higher pay.
Kindly see the table of contents below for an interesting piece.
Table of contents
What Is Geography?
Wikipedia says Geography is a field of science that devotes to studying the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth and planets.
Also, it is the study of the physical characteristics of the earth and its atmosphere. How all these affect human activity and these physical features as well.
Enough can’t be talked of geography if we miss discussing the distribution of populations and resources in the political and economic activities.
Why Go For A Graduate Program In Geography?
There are a thousand and one reasons you should enroll for a graduate program in geography. Most important of the reasons is to have a sense of fulfillment getting to the peak of your career.
Also, you gain a higher level of knowledge more than you gained during your undergraduate days.
Interestingly, a graduate program in geography enriches you with the knowledge on how to solve earth-related issues and join the team of those in the business of preserving planet earth.
How Much Does A Graduate Program In Geography Cost?
With an array of universities around the globe offering graduate programs in geography, finding out the cost of these programs will be quite bulky.
However, if you want to be more specific. Contacting a school for the type of graduate program it offers is the best way to understand the cost of a particular graduate program.
Where the fees are excessive, do not be weary because there are always scholarships and financial aids to help you offset the bills.
What Are The Career Options Available To Geography Graduates?
Geographers can work in several industries and also seek for self-employment. Interestingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth by 2026.
The career options in geography include cartography, GIS mapping, surveying, and urban planning.
More so, specializing in a geography major can also make you stand out amongst your peers in the job market.
Top 10 Geography Graduate Programs In 2024
As much as there are so many schools offering graduate programs in geography, it is expedient that you enroll in a top program.
However, in your selection for the graduate programs, put the following into consideration. Accreditation, acceptance rate, and cost of tuition.
These have also helped us them as yardsticks for our ranking.
Did you know that going for a graduate program that isn’t accredited is as good as not having a degree at all? So, in your quest to know the best graduate program that stands out for you, endeavor to go for one accredited.
This is the total number of students each school, accepted against the number of students who applied.
This shows the tuition and fees that are payable by both out-of-state students and in-state students.
#1 University Of Oxford
Ranked 1st in the QS World University Subject Rankings for Geography, this school’s geography graduate program is considered a top program because it comes from the mst diverse and vibrant graduate school in the world.
More so, the nature of research in this institute of higher learning has collaborated with the efforts of the academics in producing highly intellectual students who in turn, have made a tremendous impact in the world.
The University of Oxford offers nine graduate courses making sure that they fully equipped the students for the career opportunities out there.
Renowned for its vast research method, it investigates fundamental environmental, human, and physical geography areas. Biogeography, flood risk, climate change, desertification, etc.
#2 University of Cambridge
You can enroll for a geography graduate program in this school at either the masters level or the PhD.
Accepting about 120 graduate students into this program, this program offers a long list of research-based degrees that display the strength of this Geography department in both human and physical geography.
#3 University Of California, Berkeley
The geography graduate programs at the University of California, Berkeley provides the scholars quality graduate training. It is subdivided into three major parts: Global Environmental Change, Local &Global Relations, and Development & Environment.
This program expects students to be independent and produce a geographical work of the highest quality.
Furthermore, the department of geography at the University of California uses a wide range of teaching methodologies to enable the students to select their unique styles to make persuasive arguments.
#4 The University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma offers graduate programs in Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the Maters and Doctoral levels.
Those applying for these graduate programs must be ready to comply with all admission requirements listed: A letter of intent, 2 letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Additionally, using the right tools and skills necessary to expand the students’ horizon, they can stare the human-natural systems right in the face.
#5 The University of British Columbia
As vast as this course of program is, UCB offers degrees for this program at the various graduate levels. The masters graduate geography program is quite flexible and encourages a lot of research.
This graduate program welcomes students from various backgrounds and are finally prepared for careers in the private sector, NGO’s, and government sectors as well.
As interesting as it sounds, graduates from this school’s graduate programs in geography have been found enviable placements in consulting firms, NGOs, while a majority of them also have continued their doctoral study still in geography.
#6 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
How about you are able to run a graduate program in geography from this school? Undergraduate students are lucky to have this amazing offer.
Nonetheless, this top geography graduate program is keen on producing students with an advanced knowledge in this field of study.
This graduate program aims to provide students with the discerning and logical skills and professional expertise to be leaders in their choice of career.
#7 University of Dartmouth
This university offers a master’s program in geography. This master’s program prepares students for professional careers .
Additionally, graduate students are been given a stipend to cover living expenses. Also, there is a tuition fellowship cater for the entire cost of tuition.
Originally, this graduate study involves independent research and trains students for a professional career in Earth and environmental sciences.
#8 Monash University
In the 2020 edition of the rankings for the best graduate geography programs, this school welcomes students from diverse nationalities and backgrounds.
Therefore, if you have a drive to know about the study of land, earth, and other planets, then, Monash University is the right choice for you. The productive ambiance this school provides its students is topnotch.
This master’s program in geography trains students in GIS, data analytics, and spatial data science. Interestingly, the equipment made available for training the scholars is world class.
#9 University of Kentucky
The geography department at the University of Kentucky has consistently ranked among the best graduate programs in geography.
This is so because the research cluster it uses emphasizes more on diversity and has helped students research more on activities in human geography, physical, and also mapping.
It will also interest you to know that the graduate programs at the University of Kentucky are offered at both the masters and PhD levels.
#10 Syracuse University
The graduate programs at Syracuse University has been leading in geographic research. There is just more than enough to offer the students at the graduate level.
Working closely with geography initiatives, the students have made waves in this career field.
Conclusion
I hope these set of graduate programs in geography answers your questions on the best geography graduate programs you can enroll for. Your location regardless!
References
