Ohio has 16 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials: 11 public universities, 2 private universities, and 3 community colleges with GIS credentials. Ph.D. programs are at Ohio State, Kent State, and the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Toledo offers a related Ph.D. in Spatially Integrated Social Science. Fully online degrees include Ohio State’s GIS master’s, the University of Cincinnati’s M.S. in GIS, Youngstown State’s B.S. in GIS, and Columbus State’s GIS associate degree. Kent State, Ohio University, and Miami also offer online graduate GIS certificates.
Quick picks for Ohio
- Lowest resident bachelor’s tuition: Youngstown State University, $11,717.28 per year.
- Online degrees: Ohio State (Master of GIS and Technology), University of Cincinnati (M.S. in GIS), Youngstown State (B.S. in GIS), and Columbus State (A.A.S. in GIS).
- Lowest-cost GIS credential: Sinclair Community College GIS certificate, $2,964.57 total for Montgomery County residents (19 credits).
- Lowest-cost online graduate certificate: Ohio University GIS and Cartography Certificate, $6,396 total (12 credits).
- Ph.D. programs: Ohio State, Kent State, and University of Cincinnati in geography; University of Toledo in Spatially Integrated Social Science.
Rates are resident tuition, including the general fee where the school bills them together, before other fees. See the tuition comparison for nonresident rates and fees.
Ohio Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates at Universities
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geographic Information Science B.S. in Geography (Physical Geography) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Geography (Social and Environmental Geography) | Campus (Columbus) | 121 (major 33–38) | GIS major with remote sensing, geospatial database, and GIS programming courses |
| Kent State University | B.A. in Geography | In person (Kent Campus) | 120 | Combined B.A./M.S. option counts 9 graduate credits toward both degrees |
| Ohio University | B.S. in Geography (six concentrations, including GIScience and Urban Planning and Sustainability) B.S. in Geography – Meteorology GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Athens) | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 17 | Capstone experience required of all geography majors |
| Miami University | B.A. in Geography and Sustainable Development GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Oxford) | Major: 36–42 Certificate: 18 | Certificate requires Python programming and remote sensing |
| University of Cincinnati | B.S. in Geography (GIS and Remote Sensing or Environmental-Physical track) GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Cincinnati) | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 4 courses | Certificate open to students who are not seeking a degree |
| University of Toledo | B.A. in Geography and Planning (four concentrations, including GIS&T) | Not stated (Toledo) | GIS&T concentration: 31 | Combined bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway |
| Youngstown State University | B.S. in Geographic Information Science Certificate in Geospatial Science and Technology | B.S.: campus or fully online Certificate: not stated | B.S.: 120–122 Certificate: 18–19 | Programming, data visualization, and database courses in the B.S. |
| Wright State University | GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Not stated (Dayton) | 18 | Portfolio review at the end of the certificate |
| University of Akron | Certificate in Geographic and Land Information Systems | Not stated (Akron) | 12 | Housed in civil engineering’s surveying program |
| Cleveland State University | Urban GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Not stated (Cleveland) | 12 | Taught by the Levin School of Urban Affairs |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | B.A. in Geography | Campus (Delaware) | Major: 10.5 units | Desktop GIS and web GIS courses required |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University | Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography Master of Geographic Information Science and Technology (MGIST) Graduate Certificate in GIS and Technology (GIST) | M.A. and Ph.D.: campus (Columbus) MGIST: fully online or Columbus Certificate: not stated | MGIST: 33 Certificate: 12 | GRE not required; MGIST ends in a GIS capstone project |
| Kent State University | Master of Science (M.S.) and Ph.D. in Geography Geographic Information Science Graduate Certificate Environmental Geographic Information Science Graduate Certificate | M.S. and Ph.D.: in person (Kent Campus) Certificates: fully online | M.S.: 30 Ph.D.: 60 Certificates: 15 each | Thesis-based M.S.; two online GIS certificates |
| Ohio University | M.A. in Geography M.S. in Geography GIS Certificate (graduate) GIS and Cartography Certificate (graduate) | M.A., M.S., and GIS Certificate: Athens GIS and Cartography Certificate: online | M.A. and M.S.: 40 each GIS Certificate: 15 GIS and Cartography: 12 | Thesis, practicum, or capstone project; assistantships include a tuition scholarship |
| Miami University | Geographic Information Sciences Certificate (graduate) | Fully online | 12 | Includes Python programming and remote sensing |
| University of Cincinnati | M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography M.S. in Geographic Information Systems GIS Graduate Certificate | M.A. and Ph.D.: campus M.S.: 100% online Certificate: not stated | M.S.: 30 Certificate: 4 courses | One-year non-thesis or two-year thesis M.A. |
| University of Toledo | M.A. in Geography Graduate Certificate in GIS and Applied Geography Ph.D. in Spatially Integrated Social Science | Not stated (Toledo) | M.A.: 30 Certificate: 12 Ph.D.: 72 beyond the master’s | Thesis or non-thesis M.A.; interdisciplinary spatial Ph.D. |
| Youngstown State University | Graduate Certificate in Applied Geospatial Science and Technology | Not stated | 12 | Open to students in any graduate program |
| Wright State University | GIS Graduate Certificate | Not stated (Dayton) | 18 | Cartography, GIS, and remote sensing courses |
| Bowling Green State University | Geospatial Technology Certificate (graduate) | Not stated | 15 | Admission requires a transcript only |
| Cleveland State University | Urban GIS Graduate Certificate | Not stated (Cleveland) | 12 | Credits can apply toward a Cleveland State graduate degree |
| University of Dayton | Certificate in GIS (graduate) | Not stated (Dayton) | 15 | Ends in a GIS capstone |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs and program pages. Minors and microcredentials are not listed.
Community College Degrees and Certificates
| College | Credential | Units | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College Columbus | Geographic Information Systems, Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) GIS Certificate | A.A.S.: 65–66 Certificate: 18–19 | Fully online |
| Sinclair Community College Dayton | GIS Short-Term Certificate Geospatial Technology Analyst Short-Term Certificate Geospatial Technology Programming Specialist Short-Term Certificate UAS for GIS Short-Term Certificate | 19, 22, 20, and 16 | Not stated |
| Lakeland Community College Kirtland | GIS and UAS Technologies Certificate | 18 | Not stated |
Units are semester credit hours. Several community colleges also offer geography associate degrees built for transfer, which are not counted here: Columbus State (A.A. and A.S.), Sinclair (A.A. with a Geospatial Technology concentration), Lakeland, Owens, Clark State, and Lorain County. Most include at least one GIS course; Lorain County’s geography and GIS courses are taken at another institution through course sharing and transferred in.
Related Urban Planning Programs
These planning degrees require a GIS course but are not geography or GIS degrees.
- Cleveland State University: the 42-credit Master of Urban Planning and Development requires GIS Principles as a core course and is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.
- Miami University: the B.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, run by the Department of Geography, requires a 39–40 hour major that includes Geographic Information Systems and a field experience course.
Ohio University’s Urban Planning and Sustainability concentration and Toledo’s Urban and Regional Planning concentration are part of geography degrees and are covered above. See our urban planning guide.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in Ohio
An online course is not the same as an online degree. The programs below have an official statement that the full credential can be completed online. The next list covers programs that only offer some coursework online.
Verified fully online options
- Ohio State University Master of Geographic Information Science and Technology: Ohio State says the 33-credit degree is designed to be completed 100% online with no campus visits. It is also offered in person in Columbus.
- University of Cincinnati M.S. in Geographic Information Systems: offered through UC Online with a 100% online curriculum.
- Youngstown State University B.S. in Geographic Information Science: the catalog lists a separate online version that is “offered entirely online.”
- Columbus State Community College GIS A.A.S. and GIS Certificate: the college describes both as fully online programs.
- Kent State University GIS and Environmental GIS graduate certificates: the catalog lists the delivery of both 15-credit certificates as fully online.
- Ohio University GIS and Cartography Certificate (graduate): the catalog lists online delivery, and the department calls the 12-credit certificate fully online.
- Miami University Geographic Information Sciences Certificate (graduate): the department calls it a fully online certificate.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- Kent State M.G.I.Sc.: the Master of Geographic Information Science is listed as fully online, but Kent State is not accepting applications to it.
- Ohio University Geospatial Analysis and Programming Certificate: an online graduate certificate that is not accepting applications for 2026–27.
- Other GIS certificates: the certificates at Akron, Bowling Green, Cleveland State, Dayton, Sinclair, Wright State, and Youngstown State (graduate), and Ohio State’s graduate GIST certificate, do not state a delivery format.
For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
Ohio School Summaries
Ohio State University
Ohio State’s Department of Geography offers three bachelor’s options on the Columbus campus, each requiring 121 credits. The B.S. in Geographic Information Science has a 33-hour major built on spatial data analysis, cartography, fundamentals of GIS, and remote sensing, with options such as GIS Algorithms and Programming, Geospatial Databases, and an internship. The B.S. in Geography (Physical Geography) and B.A. in Geography (Social and Environmental Geography) both require Fundamentals of GIS; the B.A. ends in a capstone course.
The 33-credit Master of Geographic Information Science and Technology (MGIST) is a non-thesis degree that ends in a GIS capstone project and includes web GIS development and remote sensing. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in any field, a 3.0 GPA, and two letters; the GRE is not required. A 12-credit Graduate Certificate in GIST is also offered.
The research-focused M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography require a 3.0 GPA, three letters, and a faculty member who agrees to advise the applicant; the department does not require GRE scores. Funded students typically receive a monthly stipend, tuition and fees, and full health insurance coverage, but the department says funding is limited and not guaranteed. The department also runs Atmospheric Sciences degrees.
Sources: GIS major; online MGIST; GIST certificate; graduate programs; graduate funding.
Kent State University
Kent State’s 120-credit B.A. in Geography is taught in person on the Kent Campus. It requires physical and human geography, statistics or field experience, Mapping, Space and Power, a 4-credit Geographic Information Science course, and a seminar or capstone. Students can apply early to the M.S. and count 9 graduate credits toward both degrees.
The 30-credit M.S. in Geography is a thesis degree, and the Ph.D. in Geography requires 60 credits after a master’s, including 30 dissertation credits. Both require a 2.75 GPA, a goal statement, and three letters, with a February 1 priority deadline. The two 15-credit graduate certificates, in Geographic Information Science and in Environmental Geographic Information Science, are fully online and need a 2.75 GPA and two letters. Courses include spatial programming, geodatabases, cartographic design, and environmental remote sensing. Kent State is not accepting applications to its online Master of Geographic Information Science.
Sources: Geography B.A.; Geography M.S.; Geography Ph.D.; GIS certificate; Environmental GIS certificate; M.G.I.Sc..
Ohio University
Ohio University has merged its geography majors into one B.S. in Geography on the Athens campus, with six concentrations: Geography, GIScience, Urban Planning and Sustainability, Climate, Environment and Society, Environmental Pre-Law, and Globalization and Development. All majors take Introduction to GIS and Mapping Sciences and a capstone. The GIScience concentration adds Cartography, Remote Sensing, Principles of GIS, and Advanced Spatial Analysis. A separate B.S. in Geography – Meteorology continues, and a 17-hour undergraduate GIS Certificate is open to students outside the GIScience concentration.
The M.A. and M.S. in Geography are separate 40-credit degrees: the M.A. emphasizes human geography and the M.S. physical, environmental, and geospatial work. Students finish with a thesis, practicum, or capstone research project. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA and three letters, and the GRE is not required. Teaching and research assistants receive a scholarship covering tuition plus a stipend. A 15-credit graduate GIS Certificate is offered in Athens, and the 12-credit GIS and Cartography Certificate is online.
Sources: Geography B.S.; GIScience concentration; Geography M.S.; GIS and Cartography Certificate; graduate funding.
Miami University
Miami’s B.A. in Geography and Sustainable Development is offered on the Oxford campus. The 36–42 hour major requires Mapping a Changing World plus GIS, remote sensing, or statistics, and ends in a research seminar or urban field experience. An optional Geospatial Applications focus covers GIS, Python, and remote sensing courses. The 18-hour undergraduate GIS Certificate requires four GIS courses, including Python Programming for Geospatial Applications and Remote Sensing, plus electives such as drone courses or an internship.
The 12-credit graduate Geographic Information Sciences Certificate is fully online and admits students in fall or spring. Miami is not accepting applications to its M.A. in Geography and Sustainable Development.
Sources: Geography and Sustainable Development B.A.; undergraduate GIS certificate; graduate GIS certificate; department certificate page.
University of Cincinnati
UC’s 120-credit B.S. in Geography has a GIS and Remote Sensing track and an Environmental-Physical track. The undergraduate and graduate GIS Certificates each require four courses, with a C or better for the undergraduate version and a B or better for the graduate version. Both are open to students who are not seeking a degree.
The M.A. in Geography has a one-year non-thesis track and a two-year thesis track, and the Ph.D. requires a specialization such as GIScience. Both require a 3.0 GPA and GRE scores, with a minimum of 300 (verbal plus quantitative). The department awards a limited number of graduate assistantships. The 30-credit M.S. in Geographic Information Systems is offered 100% online through UC Online and includes six required courses and a capstone.
Sources: B.S. GIS and Remote Sensing; graduate GIS certificate; M.A.; Ph.D.; online M.S. in GIS.
University of Toledo
Toledo’s B.A. in Geography and Planning has four concentrations: Human and Environmental Geography, Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T), Urban and Regional Planning, and Urban Studies. The 31-hour GIS&T concentration requires GIS, GIS Applications, Remote Sensing of the Environment, Digital Image Analysis, and Quantitative Methods.
The 30-credit M.A. in Geography offers a thesis option with an oral exam and a non-thesis option with a general exam and research paper. The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in GIS and Applied Geography can be finished in one year and ends in an applied workshop project. The Ph.D. in Spatially Integrated Social Science is run jointly by geography and other social science departments; it requires 72 credits beyond the master’s and prior coursework in GIS and statistics.
Sources: Geography and Planning B.A.; M.A.; GIS certificate; SISS Ph.D..
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State’s B.S. in Geographic Information Science is offered on campus and in a separate fully online version, each 120–122 credits. It combines six GIS and remote sensing courses with programming, data structures, data visualization, and a database course, plus a required minor. Electives include geospatial data science, directed research, and a geospatial internship.
The 18–19 credit undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Science and Technology is open to undergraduates and non-degree professionals and requires a 3.0 GPA. The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Applied Geospatial Science and Technology requires GIS, remote sensing, and advanced GIS courses and a 2.7 undergraduate GPA for admission.
Sources: GIS B.S.; online GIS B.S.; undergraduate certificate; graduate certificate.
Wright State University
Wright State offers 18-credit undergraduate and graduate GIS Certificates, each with three 4-credit courses in cartography and GIS and two remote sensing courses. Undergraduates submit a portfolio for faculty review, and graduate students need a 3.0 GPA across the five courses. Both are open to non-degree students. The B.S. in Geography stopped admitting new students on June 15, 2026; students declared by August 23, 2026 can finish through spring 2031.
Sources: undergraduate GIS certificate; graduate GIS certificate; Geography B.S..
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green’s 2026–27 catalogs do not list a geography degree. Its 15-credit graduate Geospatial Technology Certificate requires GIS and Remote Sensing, plus three electives such as Spatial Modeling, Advanced Cartographic Techniques, and Applied Remote Sensing. Admission requires a transcript only, and students must keep a 3.0 GPA.
Sources: Geospatial Technology Certificate.
University of Akron
Akron’s 12-credit Certificate in Geographic and Land Information Systems is offered by the Department of Civil Engineering and can be earned without a degree. Its four courses cover introductory and intermediate GIS, building geodatabases, and GIS with GPS. Akron has no geography degree; its surveying degrees are listed under schools not included.
Sources: GIS certificate.
Cleveland State University
Cleveland State’s Levin School of Urban Affairs offers 12-credit undergraduate and graduate Urban GIS Certificates built on GIS Principles, GIS Methods, and a project course. Undergraduates need a B average and a B or better in the project course. Graduate certificate credits can apply toward a Cleveland State graduate degree, including the Master of Urban Planning and Development.
Sources: undergraduate certificate; graduate certificate; MUPD.
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan’s B.A. in Geography requires at least 10.5 units (Ohio Wesleyan counts courses in units). The core includes Human Geography, Introduction to Earth Science, and two GIS courses: Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS and with Web GIS. Majors then build an individually advised plan across physical, environmental, and human geography and cartography, GIS, and remote sensing.
Sources: Geography B.A..
University of Dayton
Dayton’s 15-credit graduate Certificate in GIS is listed with its geology programs. It requires applied GIS (or GIS for human rights or water resources), environmental remote sensing, advanced GIS applications, and a GIS capstone.
Sources: GIS certificate.
Community Colleges
Columbus State Community College offers a fully online GIS A.A.S. (65–66 credits) and GIS Certificate (18–19 credits), and says the coursework can count toward the education requirement for the GISP certification.
Sinclair Community College offers four short-term certificates: GIS (19 credits), Geospatial Technology Analyst (22), Geospatial Technology Programming Specialist (20), and UAS for GIS (16). The certificates combine GIS and spatial analysis with database, Python, SQL, or drone courses.
Lakeland Community College offers an 18-credit GIS and UAS Technologies Certificate covering mapping technologies, map design, geographic information science, drone flight planning, and FAA Part 107 preparation. Lakeland also has a 61-credit Geography A.A. transfer pathway that includes Map Design and Interpretation and Geographic Information Science.
Sources: Columbus State GIS A.A.S.; Columbus State GIS certificate; Sinclair GIS certificate; Lakeland certificate; Lakeland Geography A.A.; transfer pathways: Columbus State, Sinclair, Owens, Clark State, Lorain County.
Schools not included
- Not accepting students: Wright State’s B.S. in Geography (closed to new students June 15, 2026), Kent State’s Master of Geographic Information Science, Miami’s M.A. in Geography and Sustainable Development, and Ohio University’s online Geospatial Analysis and Programming Certificate.
- Surveying, not GIS-named: Akron’s B.S. in Surveying and Mapping and A.A.S. in Land Surveying, Cincinnati State’s land surveying certificates and bachelor’s degree, Stark State’s civil engineering technology surveying certificates, and surveying certificates at Columbus State and Sinclair.
- GIS or geospatial minor only: Defiance College (GIS minor) and Lake Erie College (Geospatial Technology minor). Bowling Green also lists an Applied Geospatial Science minor in addition to its graduate certificate.
- No geography or GIS credential in current program lists: Central State and Shawnee State (geology only); and private colleges Antioch College, Ashland, Baldwin Wallace, Bluffton, Capital, Case Western Reserve, Cedarville, Denison, Findlay, Franciscan, Franklin, Heidelberg, Hiram, Kenyon, Malone, Marietta, Mount St. Joseph, Mount Union, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Muskingum, Oberlin, Ohio Christian, Ohio Dominican, Ohio Northern, Tiffin, Ursuline, Walsh, Wilmington, Wittenberg, Wooster, and Xavier.
- Community colleges with no geography or GIS credential in their current program lists: Belmont, Central Ohio Technical College, Cincinnati State (surveying only), Cuyahoga Community College (GIS courses only), Edison State, Marion Technical, North Central State, Northwest State, Rhodes State, Rio Grande Community College, Southern State, Stark State (surveying only), Terra State, Washington State, and Zane State.
- Geography transfer pathway only (not counted): Owens, Clark State, and Lorain County. See the note under the community college table.
- Hocking College: its program list still links to a GIS and GPS certificate, but the page no longer exists and the certificate is not in the current list of majors.
Tuition Comparison
Estimated tuition is our arithmetic from each published rate and the stated basis. Each figure is labeled “per year” or “total.” Most Ohio public universities bill an instructional fee and a general fee; figures below include both when the school publishes them together, and other fees are listed separately. None includes housing, books, or other costs.
Undergraduate and associate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown State University B.S. in GIS | $5,858.64 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 12–18 hours, 2026–27 cohort) Plus $180 per semester nonresident surcharge | Two semesters | $11,717.28 resident per year $12,077.28 nonresident per year | College of STEM fee of $25.80 per credit for juniors and above |
| Youngstown State University Certificate in Geospatial Science and Technology | $488.22 per credit (resident) Plus $15 per credit nonresident surcharge | 18 credits, part-time | $8,787.96 resident total $9,057.96 nonresident total | Course fees vary |
| University of Toledo B.A. in Geography and Planning | $6,450.36 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 12–18 hours, 2026 cohort) $11,130.36 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $12,900.72 resident per year $22,260.72 nonresident per year | Student services fee of $19.83 per credit, up to 12 hours |
| Ohio State University B.A. and B.S. degrees | $6,757.50 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 12–18 hours, students starting summer 2026 or later) Plus $15,110.50 per semester nonresident surcharge | Two semesters | $13,515 resident per year $43,736 nonresident per year | $267.40 per semester for activity, recreation, student union, and transit fees |
| Kent State University B.A. in Geography | $13,848.40 per year, instructional and general fee (resident, 12–18 hours, fall 2026 cohort) $24,298.00 per year (nonresident) | One academic year | $13,848.40 resident per year $24,298 nonresident per year | Career services fee of $188 per year; student health fee of $180 per year |
| Ohio University B.S. in Geography | $7,401 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 12–20 hours, 2026–27 cohort) Plus $5,887 per semester nonresident fee | Two semesters | $14,802 resident per year $26,576 nonresident per year | Career and experiential learning fee of $9 per hour, up to $108 per semester |
| University of Cincinnati B.S. in Geography | $7,412 per semester, including general, campus life, and technology fees (resident, 12–18 hours, 2026–27 cohort) $15,079 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $14,824 resident per year $30,158 nonresident per year | Program and special course fees where they apply |
| Miami University B.A. in Geography and Sustainable Development | $9,445.16 per semester, tuition and fees (resident, 12–18 hours, students entering 2026–27) Plus $11,996.06 per semester nonresident surcharge | Two semesters | $18,890.32 resident per year $42,882.44 nonresident per year | Course fees vary |
| Ohio Wesleyan University B.A. in Geography | $55,416 per year, same for all students | One academic year | $55,416 per year | $312 activity fee and $312 health fee per year |
| University of Akron Geographic and Land Information Systems Certificate | $580.65 per credit, instructional and Akron fee (resident, students entering 2026–27) $900.65 per credit (out-of-state) | 12 credits, part-time | $6,967.80 resident total $10,807.80 out-of-state total | Course fees vary |
| Cleveland State University Urban GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | $569.00 per credit (resident, 2026–27 cohort) $815.38 per credit (nonresident domestic) | 12 credits, part-time | $6,828 resident total $9,784.56 nonresident total | $3 per credit athletic fee at 9 or more credits; $25 per credit eLearning fee for online courses |
| Wright State University GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | $546 per hour (resident) $1,038 per hour (nonresident) | 18 credits, part-time | $9,828 resident total $18,684 nonresident total | Course and lab fees vary |
| Columbus State Community College GIS A.A.S. and GIS Certificate (online) | $202.93 per credit, instructional and general fee (Ohio resident, autumn 2026) $415.04 per credit (non-Ohio U.S. resident) | A.A.S. 65 credits; certificate 18 credits | A.A.S.: $13,190.45 resident total; $26,977.60 nonresident total Certificate: $3,652.74 resident total; $7,470.72 nonresident total | Technology and facilities fee per semester, tiered by credit load |
| Sinclair Community College GIS Short-Term Certificate | $156.03 per credit (Montgomery County, fall 2026) $203.28 per credit (other Ohio residents) $359.40 per credit (out-of-state) | 19 credits | $2,964.57 county total $3,862.32 other Ohio total $6,828.60 out-of-state total | Included in the per-credit rate (general, technology, and career services fees) |
| Lakeland Community College GIS and UAS Technologies Certificate | $172.80 per credit, tuition and general and career services fees (Lake County, fall 2026) $201.10 per credit (other Ohio counties) $379.10 per credit (out-of-state) | 18 credits | $3,110.40 county total $3,619.80 other Ohio total $6,823.80 out-of-state total | Student support service fee of $14.25 |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography | $888.57 per credit, instructional and general fee, charged up to 8 credits per semester (resident) Plus $1,949.44 per credit nonresident surcharge | 8 credits per semester, two semesters | $14,217.12 resident per year $45,408.16 nonresident per year | $264.90 per semester for student union, activity, recreation, and transit fees. Funded students receive tuition and fees. |
| Ohio State University (online) MGIST | $888.57 per credit, instructional and general fee (year not labeled) | 33 credits | $29,322.81 resident total | $27 per credit learning technology fee; $100 per semester distance learning fee; nonresidents add $200 per semester |
| Ohio State University Graduate Certificate in GIST | $888.57 per credit (resident) Plus $1,949.44 per credit nonresident surcharge | 12 credits | $10,662.84 resident total $34,056.12 nonresident total | Student union, activity, recreation, and transit fees |
| Kent State University M.S. and Ph.D. in Geography | $6,926.09 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 11–18 hours) $12,922.06 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $13,852.18 resident per year $25,844.12 nonresident per year | Program and course fees where they apply |
| Kent State University (online) GIS and Environmental GIS graduate certificates | $631.00 per credit, instructional and general fee (resident) | 15 credits | $9,465 resident total | $15 per credit distance learning fee |
| Ohio University M.A. and M.S. in Geography | $4,928 per semester, instructional and general fee (resident, 9–18 hours) Plus $4,195 per semester nonresident fee | Two semesters | $9,856 resident per year $18,246 nonresident per year | $97 Arts and Sciences technology fee and $33 student information fee per semester. Assistantships include a tuition scholarship. |
| Ohio University (online) GIS and Cartography Certificate | $533 per credit (resident) $555 per credit (nonresident) | 12 credits | $6,396 resident total $6,660 nonresident total | $13 per credit program fee and $4 per credit student information fee |
| Miami University (online) Graduate GIS Certificate | $747.33 per credit, tuition and fees (resident) $1,686.42 per credit (nonresident) | 12 credits | $8,967.96 resident total $20,237.04 nonresident total | Course fees vary |
| University of Cincinnati M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography | $7,451 per term, including general, campus life, and technology fees (resident) Plus $5,871 per term nonresident surcharge | Two terms | $14,902 resident per year $26,644 nonresident per year | Program and special course fees where they apply |
| University of Cincinnati (online) M.S. in GIS | $746 per credit, including general, distance learning, and technology fees (resident) $761 per credit (nonresident) | 30 credits | $22,380 resident total $22,830 nonresident total | None listed beyond the per-credit rate |
| University of Toledo M.A. in Geography; GIS certificate | $745.12 per credit, instructional and general fee (resident) $1,262.60 per credit (nonresident) | M.A. full-time two semesters; certificate 12 credits | M.A.: $17,882.88 resident per year; $30,302.40 nonresident per year Certificate: $8,941.44 resident total; $15,151.20 nonresident total | Course fees vary |
| Youngstown State University Graduate Certificate in Applied Geospatial Science and Technology | $599.39 per credit, instructional and general fee (resident) Plus $15 per credit nonresident surcharge | 12 credits | $7,192.68 resident total $7,372.68 nonresident total | Course fees vary |
| Cleveland State University Urban GIS Graduate Certificate | $655.90 per credit (resident) $656.90 per credit (nonresident domestic) | 12 credits | $7,870.80 resident total $7,882.80 nonresident total | $25 per credit eLearning fee for online courses |
| Bowling Green State University Geospatial Technology Certificate | $573.49 per credit, instructional and general fee (resident) $906.34 per credit (nonresident) | 15 credits | $8,602.35 resident total $13,595.10 nonresident total | Course fees vary |
| Wright State University GIS Graduate Certificate | $700 per hour (resident) $1,188 per hour (nonresident) | 18 credits | $12,600 resident total $21,384 nonresident total | Course and lab fees vary |
| University of Dayton Certificate in GIS | $1,145 per credit, same for all students | 15 credits | $17,175 total | Not verified |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- Ohio public universities lock undergraduate tuition by entering class for four years under the state tuition guarantee. The rates above are for students starting in 2026–27; continuing students pay their own cohort’s rate.
- Schools bundle fees differently. Cincinnati’s and Miami’s figures already include several mandatory fees, while Ohio State and Kent State bill some fees separately.
- Nonresident surcharges vary widely: Youngstown State adds $180 per semester, while Ohio State adds more than $15,000 per semester.
- Community college rates depend on county of residence at Sinclair and Lakeland. Sinclair’s per-credit rate rises to $161.03 in spring 2027.
- Online programs often charge one rate to all students or add only a small nonresident surcharge.
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in Ohio
Broad geography or technical GIS
Traditional geography degrees are at Ohio State, Kent State, Ohio University, Miami, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Ohio Wesleyan, and all require at least one GIS course. More technical options include Ohio State’s and Youngstown State’s B.S. degrees in GIScience, Ohio University’s GIScience concentration, Toledo’s GIS&T concentration, and Cincinnati’s GIS and Remote Sensing track. Read more about GIScience degrees.
Certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree
Community college GIS certificates cost about $2,960 to $3,650 in tuition for in-district or Ohio residents, and university GIS certificates run 12 to 19 credits. Geography associate degrees built for transfer are also available at several community colleges (see the community college table). Compare bachelor’s programs nationally.
Master’s or Ph.D.
Research master’s degrees with thesis options are offered at Ohio State, Kent State, Ohio University, Cincinnati, and Toledo. Professional GIS master’s degrees are Ohio State’s MGIST and Cincinnati’s online M.S. in GIS. Students considering a Ph.D. should check research preparation and admissions requirements. A thesis can help demonstrate research experience. See master’s programs.
Online or campus
Ohio has fully online GIS credentials at every level: Columbus State’s A.A.S. and certificate, Youngstown State’s B.S., Ohio State’s and Cincinnati’s master’s degrees, and graduate certificates at Kent State, Ohio University, and Miami. Most geography bachelor’s degrees and all geography Ph.D. programs are campus-based. See online geography schools.
Funding
- Ohio State: funded M.A. and Ph.D. students typically receive a stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance coverage. Funding is limited and not guaranteed.
- Ohio University: teaching and research assistants receive a tuition scholarship plus a stipend. Apply by January 15 for full consideration.
- Cincinnati: a limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded to M.A. and Ph.D. applicants.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky, or browse all state guides.
Sources and Review Date
Reviewed October 14, 2026. Program details come from each school’s 2026–27 catalog or program pages. Tuition comes from each school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule unless a row notes otherwise.
- Ohio State: undergraduate fees, graduate fees, online tuition
- Kent State: tuition and fees, cost of attendance, online tuition
- Ohio University: OHIO Guarantee 2026–27, graduate tuition
- Miami: undergraduate cohort rates, graduate rates
- Cincinnati: tuition and fees, graduate fees, out-of-state surcharge, UC Online program fees
- Toledo: undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition
- Youngstown State: bachelor’s tuition (PDF), graduate tuition (PDF), nonresident surcharge (PDF)
- Other universities: Wright State, Bowling Green, Akron, Cleveland State undergraduate, Cleveland State graduate, Ohio Wesleyan, Dayton
- Community colleges: Columbus State, Sinclair, Lakeland
Program-level source links appear at the end of each school summary. Programs, rates, and requirements change, so confirm them with each school before applying.