Pennsylvania has 20 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials: 12 public universities, 6 private universities, and 2 community colleges. Penn State and Temple offer degrees from the bachelor’s through the Ph.D. Penn State World Campus is the main online option, with three online master’s degrees and five graduate certificates. Most State System geography programs are campus-based, and several now sit inside broader environmental or planning degrees.
Quick picks for Pennsylvania
- Lowest resident bachelor’s tuition: six State System universities at $8,338 per year, including West Chester, Kutztown, and Millersville.
- Online master’s degrees: Penn State World Campus (Master of GIS, M.S. in Spatial Data Science), $34,584 total.
- Lowest-cost graduate GIS certificate: West Chester University, $6,684 resident total, in a classroom or online.
- Lowest-cost GIS certificate: Montgomery County Community College, $1,539 in-county total for 9 credits.
- Ph.D. programs: Penn State and Temple University.
Rates are resident tuition before fees. See the tuition comparison for nonresident rates and fees.
Pennsylvania Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Geography Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geography B.A. in Sustainability, Society, and Environmental Geography GIScience Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (University Park) | Degrees: 120 Major: 46 (B.A.) or 75 (B.S.) Certificate: 12 | B.S. is STEM-designated; internship, research, or service learning required |
| Temple University | B.A. in Geography and Urban Studies GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Main campus (Philadelphia) | B.A.: 123 (major 39) Certificate: 12 | Accelerated +1 routes into Temple master’s degrees |
| University of Pittsburgh | B.A. in Geography (Johnstown campus) GIS certificates (Pittsburgh and Johnstown) | Campus | Geography major: 30 geography credits Certificates: 16 / 18 | Pitt’s only geography major is at Johnstown |
| West Chester University | B.S. in Geography (four concentrations, including GIScience) GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (West Chester) | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 12 | Field methods course and senior project |
| Kutztown University | B.A. in Geography (three tracks) Certificate in Geospatial Information Technology | Campus (Kutztown) | B.A.: 120 (major 42) Certificate: 12 | Senior thesis capstone |
| Millersville University | B.A. in Geography (options include Geospatial Applications) | Campus (Millersville) | 120 (major 42, plus a minor) | Co-op or senior thesis capstone |
| Shippensburg University | B.S. in Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability GIS Certificate | Campus (Shippensburg) | B.S.: 120 (major 43) Certificate: 12 | Required internship |
| Commonwealth University | B.S. in Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences GIS Certificate | Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield; face-to-face, online, and hybrid courses | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 12 | Tracks in geography and planning and in GIS and spatial analysis |
| East Stroudsburg University | GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | Not stated (East Stroudsburg) | 15 | GIS and remote sensing sequence |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | B.S. in Geographic Information Science and Planning Geospatial Intelligence Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Indiana) | B.S.: 120 (major 57–58) Certificate: 15 | Required internship; geospatial intelligence certificate accredited by USGIF |
| Slippery Rock University | B.S. in Environmental Geoscience (Geography or Applied Geographic Technology concentration) GIScience Certificate (undergraduate) | Not stated (Slippery Rock) | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 15 | Drone remote sensing and environmental modeling courses |
| PennWest University | GIS Certificate (undergraduate) | 100% online | 18 | Only fully online undergraduate GIS certificate in the state system |
| Villanova University | B.A. in Geography | Campus (Villanova) | 122 (major 37–40) | Senior project or thesis |
| Bucknell University | B.A. in Geography | Campus (Lewisburg) | Major: 8 courses | Applied GIS and a senior culminating experience |
| Wilkes University | GIScience Certificate | Hybrid (Wilkes-Barre) | 15 | Introductory and advanced tracks |
| Juniata College | Certificate in GIS | Not stated (Huntingdon) | 18–21 | Environmental and information technology tracks; open to alumni |
| Saint Joseph’s University | GIS Certificate (for current undergraduates) | Campus (Philadelphia) | 12 | Pairs with any major |
| Community College of Philadelphia | GIS Proficiency Certificate | Not stated | 9 | Choice of three GIS courses |
| Montgomery County Community College | GIS Operations Certificate of Completion | Not stated (Blue Bell) | 9 | Three-course sequence with a portfolio |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State | Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography Master of GIS (MGIS) M.S. in Spatial Data Science Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security, Intelligence and Geospatial Analysis option Five graduate certificates | M.S. and Ph.D.: University Park All others: 100% online (World Campus) | M.S.: 30–35 Online master’s: 33 Certificates: 12–15 | Resident graduate students are generally funded |
| Temple University | Master of Arts (M.A.) and Ph.D. in Geography Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in GIS PSM in Geospatial Data Science Two graduate certificates | Main campus, evening classes | M.A. and PSM: 30 Ph.D.: 48 Certificates: 12 | One-year PSM with an internship capstone |
| University of Pittsburgh | M.S. in GIS and Remote Sensing (professional) | Not stated (Pittsburgh) | 41 | Required summer internship; no thesis |
| West Chester University | M.S. in Geography Graduate Certificate in GIS | M.S.: campus Certificate: classroom or online | M.S.: 33 Certificate: 12 | Thesis or non-thesis option |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | GIS and Geospatial Techniques Certificate (graduate) Geospatial Intelligence Analysis Certificate (graduate) | Campus (Indiana) | 18 21 | Geospatial intelligence certificate accredited by USGIF |
| University of Pennsylvania | Master of Urban Spatial Analytics (MUSA) | On campus (Philadelphia) | 9 course units | One-year program with a client practicum |
| Villanova University | Graduate Certificate in GIS | Not stated | 14 | Ends in a GIS portfolio |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs, except East Stroudsburg (2025–26) and Shippensburg (2025–27). Minors are not listed.
Related Urban Planning Programs
These planning degrees include GIS coursework but are not geography or GIS degrees.
- West Chester University: B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning (accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board) and a 48-credit Master of Urban and Regional Planning.
- University of Pittsburgh: B.S. in Urban Planning and Geographic Analysis (120 credits).
- University of Pennsylvania: Master of City Planning, which can be combined with the MUSA.
See our urban planning guide.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in Pennsylvania
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
- Penn State World Campus master’s degrees: the Master of GIS, the M.S. in Spatial Data Science, and the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security (Intelligence and Geospatial Analysis option) are each listed as 100% online.
- Penn State World Campus graduate certificates: GIS (12 credits), Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (12), Geospatial Intelligence Analytics (15), Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development (15), and Spatial Data Science (15).
- West Chester University: the 12-credit Graduate Certificate in GIS is offered in a classroom format or online.
- PennWest University: the undergraduate GIS Certificate is offered 100% online through PennWest Global Online.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- Wilkes University GIScience Certificate: a hybrid program that combines online learning with face-to-face classes.
- Commonwealth University B.S.: courses are delivered face-to-face, online, and hybrid, but the university does not state that the degree can be completed online.
- Penn State geography minor: an 18-credit minor is available online, but the B.A. and B.S. in Geography finish at University Park.
No Pennsylvania school describes a geography bachelor’s degree as fully online. For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
Pennsylvania School Summaries
Penn State
Penn State’s Department of Geography offers a B.A. and a B.S. in Geography at University Park. The B.S. is the more quantitative degree, with Spatial Analysis, Advanced Spatial Analysis, calculus, and a block of GIScience skills courses. Both require engaged scholarship, such as an internship, research project, or service learning. A third major, Sustainability, Society, and Environmental Geography, and a 12-credit GIScience certificate are also offered. For its online programs, see our Penn State World Campus Online Master of GIS profile.
On campus, the M.S. takes 30 credits with a thesis or 35 with two papers, and the Ph.D. has no fixed credit count. The department says the GRE is not required and that it generally does not admit resident graduate students it cannot fund.
- Master of GIS (online): 33 credits with a supervised capstone project and an optional Geospatial Intelligence track. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA and two letters; the GRE is not required.
- M.S. in Spatial Data Science (online): 33 credits with a capstone or 36 with a thesis, covering GIS programming, cartography and visualization, and geovisual analytics.
- Graduate certificates (online): five certificates of 12–15 credits. Certificate courses can lead into the MGIS.
Sources: Geography B.S.; Geography B.A.; graduate bulletin; graduate funding; World Campus GIS programs; online MGIS.
Temple University
Temple’s Department of Geography, Environment and Urban Studies offers a B.A. in Geography and Urban Studies. The 39-credit major includes Cities, Space and Place, Fundamentals of GIS, Spatial Statistics, and a senior seminar. A 12-credit undergraduate GIS certificate is open to all majors.
The 30-credit M.A. in Geography holds classes after 4:30 p.m. and ends in a research design course or an internship. The Ph.D. requires 48 credits. The GRE is optional for both. Temple says assistantships are reserved for Ph.D. students and that master’s students typically receive no departmental funding.
Two 30-credit Professional Science Master’s degrees, in GIS and in Geospatial Data Science, can be finished in one calendar year of full-time study. Each ends in a capstone with a 140-hour internship. Two 12-credit graduate certificates are also offered.
Sources: Geography and Urban Studies B.A.; Geography M.A.; Geography Ph.D.; GIS PSM; Geospatial Data Science PSM.
University of Pittsburgh
Pitt has no geography department on its Pittsburgh campus. Its geography major is the B.A. in Geography at Pitt-Johnstown, which requires 30 geography credits including Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. Johnstown also offers an 18-credit GIS certificate.
In Pittsburgh, the geology department offers a 16-credit GIS certificate open to any Pitt student, including post-baccalaureate students, and a professional M.S. in GIS and Remote Sensing. The 41-credit M.S. takes two academic years plus a required summer internship and has no thesis. It requires a 3.0 GPA and three letters. The department says financial assistance is generally not available for this program.
Sources: Geography B.A. (Johnstown); GIS certificate; M.S. in GIS and Remote Sensing.
West Chester University
West Chester’s B.S. in Geography comes in a general version and with Business, Environmental Geography, or GIScience concentrations. All share a core that includes Introduction to GIS, Quantitative Analysis, Field Methods, and a senior seminar, and all end in a senior project. The GIScience concentration adds Computer Cartography, GIS Applications, and Geodatabase Systems.
The 33-credit M.S. in Geography has thesis and non-thesis options. It requires two letters and a résumé, and GRE scores are not required. The 12-credit Graduate Certificate in GIS requires a bachelor’s degree in any field with a 2.8 GPA, and its courses can count toward the M.S.
Sources: undergraduate catalog; Geography M.S.; graduate GIS certificate.
Kutztown University
Kutztown’s B.A. in Geography has three tracks: Environment and Planning, Global and Regional Studies, and General. All include Introduction to GIS and Cartography, and all end in a research methods course and senior seminar with a senior thesis. The Environment and Planning track requires an internship. A 12-semester-hour Certificate in Geospatial Information Technology is open to degree students and community members.
Sources: Geography B.A.; geospatial certificate.
Millersville University
Millersville’s B.A. in Geography requires 42 major credits plus a minor. The Geospatial Applications option includes Maps and GIS, Quantitative and Spatial Analysis, GIS I: Vector Data Analysis, GIS II: Raster Data Analysis, and Urban and Regional Planning. It ends in a co-op or senior thesis. Environmental Studies and other options are also listed.
Sources: Geography B.A., Geospatial Applications; department page.
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg’s geography program is the B.S. in Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability. The 43-credit major combines geology, weather and climate, and geography with a three-course GIS sequence, remote sensing, and cartography. An internship is required. A 12-credit GIS Certificate is open to undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree students.
Sources: Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability B.S.; GIS certificate.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Commonwealth University offers a B.S. in Environmental, Geographical, and Geological Sciences at its Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses. Two of its four tracks are geography-focused: Geography and Environmental Planning, and GIS and Spatial Analysis. The GIS track includes Remote Sensing of the Earth, UAV Applications, Programming in GIS, and Python courses. Both end in a capstone seminar and a 9–12 credit internship. A 12-credit GIS Certificate is also offered.
Sources: B.S. program page; GIS certificate.
East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg has no geography major. Its 15-credit GIS Certificate includes Physical Geography, Introduction to GIS, Applied GIS, Advanced GIS, and Introduction to Remote Sensing.
Sources: GIS certificate.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
IUP’s B.S. in Geographic Information Science and Planning lets students focus on GIScience or on community and environmental planning. The major includes Cartography and Map Design, Introduction to GIS, and Remote Sensing of the Environment. An internship and a capstone are required.
IUP also offers USGIF-accredited geospatial intelligence certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels, an 18-credit graduate certificate in GIS and geospatial techniques, and drone (uncrewed aircraft) certificates.
Sources: GIS and Planning B.S.; graduate GIS certificate; graduate geospatial intelligence certificate.
Slippery Rock University
At Slippery Rock, geography is offered as two concentrations within the B.S. in Environmental Geoscience. The Geography concentration covers cultural geography, cartography, GIS, and climate. The Applied Geographic Technology concentration adds remote sensing, drones, Advanced GIS, Environmental Modeling, and a programming course. Both end in a field camp, seminar, or internship. A GIScience Certificate is also offered.
Sources: Geography concentration; Applied Geographic Technology concentration; GIScience certificate.
PennWest University
PennWest does not offer a geography degree. Its 18-credit GIS Certificate is delivered 100% online. It requires Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Remote Sensing I, and Geospatial Data Handling and Integration, plus three electives such as Computer Cartography or Geospatial Analysis.
Sources: GIS certificate catalog; online program page.
University of Pennsylvania
Penn has no geography degree. Its Weitzman School of Design offers the Master of Urban Spatial Analytics, a one-year, on-campus program of 9 course units. Courses include Geospatial Data Science in Python, Public Policy Analytics, and Geospatial Cloud Computing and Visualization. It ends in a practicum for an external client. Applicants are expected to know basic GIS and statistics. A GIS and spatial analysis certificate is available only to enrolled Penn graduate students.
Sources: MUSA catalog; MUSA program page.
Villanova University
Villanova’s Department of Geography and the Environment offers a B.A. in Geography. The major includes Geo-Techniques, Geographic Information Systems, and a senior research seminar, and ends in a senior project or two-semester thesis. A 14-credit Graduate Certificate in GIS requires Introduction to GIS, GIS for Environmental Systems, and a portfolio.
Sources: Geography B.A.; graduate GIS certificate.
Bucknell University
Bucknell’s B.A. in Geography requires at least eight courses: two in human geography, two in environmental geography, Applied G.I.S., two electives, and a senior culminating experience. Remote Sensing is among the electives.
Sources: Geography catalog.
Wilkes University
Wilkes offers a 15-credit GIScience Certificate in a hybrid format. Three foundation courses cover GPS and GIS, advanced GIS and remote sensing, and GIS applications. Electives include Web GIS and GIS Programming and Customization. An introductory track is open to students and community members without a degree, and an advanced track serves post-baccalaureate students.
Sources: GIScience certificate.
Juniata College
Juniata offers an 18–21 credit Certificate in GIS with environmental and information technology tracks. Core courses are Geographical Information Systems and a GIS advanced topics course, plus statistics, field data collection, and a capstone or project. It is open to Juniata students in any department and to alumni.
Sources: GIS certificate.
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s offers a 12-credit GIS Undergraduate Certificate: Introduction to GIS plus three courses such as Intermediate GIS or Urban Economics. It is available only to current Saint Joseph’s undergraduates.
Sources: GIS certificate.
Community Colleges
Two community colleges list a current GIS credential, both 9 credits. Community College of Philadelphia offers a GIS Proficiency Certificate, in which students choose three courses from a list that includes Intermediate GIS, Remote Sensing and Global Positioning Technologies, and Introduction to Web GIS. Montgomery County Community College offers a GIS Operations Certificate of Completion: Introduction to GIS, Map Design in GIS, and a GIS Applications Workshop.
Pennsylvania has a statewide transfer agreement for geography associate degrees, but none of the community colleges we checked lists a geography associate degree.
Sources: CCP GIS certificate; Montgomery County GIS certificate; statewide transfer agreements.
Schools not included
- Not accepting new students: IUP’s M.S. in Geographical Sciences and Planning, Shippensburg’s M.S. in Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability, and Thomas Jefferson University’s M.S. in Urban Analytics and Geodesign.
- Not in 2026–27 catalogs: Harrisburg University’s B.S. in Geospatial Technology and HACC’s Geospatial Technology associate degree and diploma.
- University of Pennsylvania Earth and Environmental Science degrees are geology and environmental science programs, not geography.
- Lincoln University and Cheyney University list no geography or GIS credential. Drexel, Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh, and Dickinson offer GIS courses only.
Tuition Comparison
Estimated tuition is our arithmetic from each published rate and the stated basis. Each figure is labeled “per year” or “total.” None includes fees, housing, books, or other costs.
Undergraduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State (University Park) Geography B.A. and B.S. | $10,439 per semester in years 1–2 and $12,397 in years 3–4 (PA resident) $22,287 and $24,808 per semester (nonresident) | Two full-time semesters | Years 1–2: $20,878 resident per year; $44,574 nonresident per year Years 3–4: $24,794 resident per year; $49,616 nonresident per year | $320 per semester student fee |
| Temple University B.A. Geography and Urban Studies | $10,188 per semester (PA resident) $18,300 per semester (out-of-state) | Two full-time semesters | $20,376 resident per year $36,600 out-of-state per year | $549 per semester |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh campus (arts and sciences) | $10,797 per term (PA resident) $21,664 per term (out-of-state) | Two terms | $21,594 resident per year $43,328 out-of-state per year | $1,076 per term |
| University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown B.A. Geography | $6,966 per term (PA resident) $13,022 per term (out-of-state) | Two terms | $13,932 resident per year $26,044 out-of-state per year | $745 per term |
| State System universities West Chester, Kutztown, Millersville, Commonwealth, IUP, Slippery Rock | $4,169 per semester (PA resident) Out-of-state per semester: IUP $6,045; Millersville $7,134; Slippery Rock $8,338; West Chester, Kutztown, and Commonwealth $10,423 | Two full-time semesters | $8,338 resident per year Out-of-state per year: IUP $12,090; Millersville $14,268; Slippery Rock $16,676; West Chester, Kutztown, and Commonwealth $20,846 | About $3,000–$4,500 per year for residents, varying by campus |
| Shippensburg University B.S. Geoenvironmental Science and Sustainability | $344 per credit (PA resident) $6,254 per semester (domestic nonresident) | Resident: 30 credits per year Nonresident: two full-time semesters | $10,320 resident per year $12,508 nonresident per year | $168 per credit |
| State System undergraduate GIS certificates | $347 per credit (PA resident) | 12 credits (West Chester, Kutztown, Commonwealth) or 15 credits (East Stroudsburg, IUP, Slippery Rock) | 12 credits: $4,164 resident total 15 credits: $5,205 resident total | Per-credit fees vary by campus |
| PennWest (online) GIS Certificate | $347 per credit (PA resident) $354 per credit (out-of-state) | 18 credits | $6,246 resident total $6,372 out-of-state total | $69.90 per credit (resident); $104.90 (out-of-state) |
| Villanova University B.A. Geography | $72,990 per year | One academic year | $72,990 per year | $1,024 per year |
| Bucknell University B.A. Geography | $72,600 per year | One academic year | $72,600 per year | $900 per year |
| Wilkes University GIScience Certificate | $1,243 per credit (part-time) | 15 credits | $18,645 total | Semester fees apply |
| Community College of Philadelphia GIS Proficiency Certificate | $174 per credit (Philadelphia residents) $348 (other Pennsylvanians) $522 (non-Pennsylvanians) | 9 credits | $1,566 Philadelphia resident total $3,132 other Pennsylvania total $4,698 out-of-state total | $34 per credit; capital fee of $10–$20 per credit for nonresidents of Philadelphia |
| Montgomery County Community College GIS Operations Certificate | $171 per credit (in-county) $342 (out-of-county) $513 (out-of-state) | 9 credits | $1,539 in-county total $3,078 out-of-county total $4,617 out-of-state total | $59 per credit; capital fee of $20–$40 per credit outside the county |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State (University Park) M.S. and Ph.D. Geography | $14,106 per semester (PA resident) $25,304 per semester (nonresident) | Two full-time semesters | $28,212 resident per year $50,608 nonresident per year | $320 per semester. Resident graduate students are generally funded. |
| Penn State World Campus Online master’s degrees and graduate certificates | $1,048 per credit, any residency | 33-credit master’s; 12- or 15-credit certificates | Master’s: $34,584 total 12-credit certificate: $12,576 total 15-credit certificate: $15,720 total | None listed for World Campus |
| Temple University M.A., PSM degrees, and graduate certificates | $1,193 per credit (PA resident) $1,639 per credit (out-of-state) | M.A. or PSM 30 credits; certificate 12 credits | M.A. or PSM: $35,790 resident total; $49,170 out-of-state total Certificate: $14,316 resident total; $19,668 out-of-state total | $549 per semester |
| University of Pittsburgh M.S. GIS and Remote Sensing | $13,706 per term (PA resident) $24,636 per term (out-of-state) | Two terms; the program runs two years plus a summer | $27,412 resident per year $49,272 out-of-state per year | $1,003 per term |
| West Chester University M.S. Geography and Graduate Certificate in GIS | $557 per credit (PA resident) $836 per credit (nonresident) | M.S. 33 credits; certificate 12 credits | M.S.: $18,381 resident total; $27,588 nonresident total Certificate: $6,684 resident total; $10,032 nonresident total | Technology fee $52–$74 per credit, plus a general fee |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania Graduate GIS and geospatial intelligence certificates | $557 per credit (PA resident) $836 per credit (nonresident) | 18 or 21 credits | 18 credits: $10,026 resident total; $15,048 nonresident total 21 credits: $11,697 resident total; $17,556 nonresident total | $204.35 per credit (resident); $261.15 (nonresident) |
| University of Pennsylvania Master of Urban Spatial Analytics | $32,887 per term, full-time | Two terms (one-year program) | $65,774 per year | $2,519 per term |
| Villanova University Graduate Certificate in GIS | $995 per credit | 14 credits | $13,930 total | $157 per semester |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- Penn State charges more in the junior and senior years, and its College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, which houses geography, has its own upper-division rate.
- State System universities share one resident tuition rate, but each sets its own out-of-state rate and fees.
- Penn State World Campus charges one per-credit rate regardless of residency, which is lower than nonresident tuition at University Park.
- West Chester lists a separate rate for online graduate courses, which matters mainly to nonresidents ($568 per credit).
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in Pennsylvania
Broad geography or technical GIS
Penn State, Temple, West Chester, Kutztown, Millersville, Villanova, and Bucknell offer geography-named bachelor’s degrees. At IUP, Slippery Rock, Shippensburg, and Commonwealth, geography now sits inside GIS, planning, or environmental science degrees, often with more technical coursework. Read more about GIScience degrees and geospatial technology.
Certificate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree
Short GIS certificates of 9–18 credits are widely available, from $1,539 at a community college to graduate certificates at Penn State, Temple, West Chester, IUP, and Villanova. For doctoral study, Penn State and Temple offer the state’s geography Ph.D. programs. Compare bachelor’s and master’s programs nationally.
Online or campus
Penn State World Campus is the main route for fully online graduate study in GIS. West Chester and PennWest offer online GIS certificates. Geography bachelor’s degrees in Pennsylvania are campus programs.
Research or professional master’s
Penn State’s M.S. and West Chester’s M.S. offer thesis routes. Temple’s PSM degrees, Pitt’s M.S. in GIS and Remote Sensing, Penn’s MUSA, and Penn State’s online MGIS are professional degrees built around internships, practicums, or capstone projects. Students considering a Ph.D. should check research preparation and admissions requirements. A thesis can help demonstrate research experience.
Funding
- Penn State: the department generally admits only resident graduate students it can fund. That funding does not extend to World Campus programs.
- Temple: assistantships are reserved for Ph.D. students.
- Pitt: departmental aid is generally not available for the professional M.S.
- West Chester, IUP, and Penn: no program-specific funding is advertised.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, and Delaware, or browse all state guides.
Sources and Review Date
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Program details come from each school’s 2026–27 catalog or program pages unless noted. Tuition comes from each school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule unless a row notes otherwise.
- Penn State: tuition rates (includes the student fee)
- Temple: tuition rates
- University of Pittsburgh: tuition and fees
- West Chester: cost calculator
- Kutztown: undergraduate tuition and fees
- Millersville: undergraduate costs
- Shippensburg: undergraduate tuition and fees
- Commonwealth: tuition, fees
- IUP: undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition
- Slippery Rock: tuition and fees
- PennWest: Global Online tuition
- University of Pennsylvania: Weitzman tuition and finances
- Villanova: tuition and fees
- Bucknell: tuition and fees
- Wilkes: tuition and fees
- Community colleges: Community College of Philadelphia costs, Montgomery County tuition
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.