Kentucky has 6 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials: 5 public universities and 1 community college, Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville. The University of Kentucky offers the state’s only Ph.D. in Geography, and the University of Louisville and Murray State offer geography or geoinformatics master’s degrees. No Kentucky school currently offers a fully online geography or GIS degree. The fully online options are certificates at the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.
Quick picks for Kentucky
- Lowest resident bachelor’s tuition: Murray State University, $10,530 per year.
- Lowest-cost GIS credential: Jefferson Community and Technical College Applications of Geospatial Technology Certificate, $2,970 total for 15 credits.
- Fully online GIS certificates: University of Kentucky (graduate, Digital Mapping), University of Louisville (Applied Geospatial Technologies), and Western Kentucky University (GIS).
- Stand-alone GIS bachelor’s: University of Kentucky B.A. or B.S. in Mapping and GIScience.
- Ph.D. program: University of Kentucky, Ph.D. in Geography.
Rates are resident tuition before fees. See the tuition comparison for nonresident rates and fees.
Kentucky Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates at Universities
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geography B.A. or B.S. in Mapping and GIScience | Campus (Lexington) | 120 each | Separate GIS major with remote sensing and GeoAI |
| University of Louisville | B.S. in Applied Geography (5 tracks) Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies | B.S.: campus (Louisville) Certificate: can be completed fully online | B.S.: 121 Certificate: 12 | Geospatial Technologies and Urban Analytics tracks; senior thesis |
| Murray State University | B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geography and GIS Track Certificate in Geographic Information Science | Not stated (Murray) | B.S.: 120 (major 73–74) Certificate: 15–16 | Required Python programming, cartography, and two remote sensing courses |
| Western Kentucky University | Geographic Information Systems Certificate | Fully online | 14 | Four-course sequence that ends in GIS programming |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Geographic Information Systems University Certificate | Not stated (Richmond) | 18 | Electives include surveying, drafting, and disaster planning |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping | Degrees: campus (Lexington) Certificate: fully online | M.A.: 30 Ph.D.: not stated Certificate: 11 | Kentucky’s only geography Ph.D.; GRE not required |
| University of Louisville | Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Geography | Campus (Louisville); full or part time | 30 | Thesis or non-thesis with comprehensive exam |
| Murray State University | M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geoinformatics Concentration Certificate in Geospatial Data Science (graduate) | Not stated (Murray) | M.S.: 30 Certificate: 14 | Thesis required; certificate pairs remote sensing, GIS, and big data |
| Western Kentucky University | M.S. in Geoscience | Campus (Bowling Green) | 30 | Thesis degree that accepts geography research; not geography-named |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs and program pages. Minors and micro-credentials are not listed.
Community College GIS Credentials
| College | Credential | Units | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville | Applications of Geospatial Technology Certificate GIS/Unmanned Systems Specialist Certificate Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Computer and Information Technologies, Geospatial Technologies Track | 15 21 60–64 | Not stated |
Jefferson is the only Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) college with a GIS credential on its own program pages. KCTCS colleges also offer geography courses that can count toward the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science transfer degrees; those transfer degrees are not counted here.
Related Urban Planning Programs
The University of Louisville offers a 39-hour Master of Urban Planning that requires GIS for Planning and Policy among its six core courses. The catalog says the program is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board and holds classes in the evening. It is a planning degree, not a GIS degree. See our urban planning guide.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in Kentucky
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. All three are certificates; no Kentucky geography or GIS degree is currently offered fully online. The next list covers programs with some online coursework or an unclear status.
Verified fully online options
- University of Kentucky Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping: UK Online lists the 11-credit certificate as fully online, with asynchronous classes and no GRE. See our UK Digital Mapping certificate profile.
- University of Louisville Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies: the 2026–27 catalog says the 12-hour certificate can be completed 100% online.
- Western Kentucky University GIS Certificate: WKU Online says the 14-hour certificate is fully online. The department adds that the fully online route is for non-majors and off-campus students.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- University of Kentucky M.S. in Digital Mapping: the online master’s from the New Maps Plus program is listed on the department’s site, but that site says admissions are paused, and the degree is not in UK’s current program finder.
- Jefferson Community and Technical College geospatial credentials: the college lists online learning for its Computer and Information Technologies program, but it does not say the geospatial certificates or track can be completed online.
- Murray State and Eastern Kentucky GIS certificates: the catalogs do not state a delivery format.
For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
Kentucky School Summaries
University of Kentucky
The Department of Geography in Lexington offers two 120-hour bachelor’s majors, each as a B.A. or B.S. The Geography major covers human and physical geography with GIS, cartography, and field research; the B.A. leans toward human geography and global issues. The Mapping and GIScience major is a separate GIS degree built on digital mapping, GIS software, remote sensing, spatial data analysis, and GeoAI.
The M.A. in Geography has a thesis plan of 30 credit hours, including 24 hours of coursework and an oral exam, and a second plan built on a publishable research paper and a written exam. The Ph.D. in Geography requires a master’s degree, core courses in geographic thought, methods, and professional development, a qualifying exam, and a dissertation. The department says GRE scores are not required, the fall application deadline is January 15, and all applicants are automatically considered for assistantships and fellowships.
The fully online Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping is 11 credit hours of web mapping courses, including Introduction to New Mapping, Programming for Web Mapping, and Design for Interactive Web Mapping. Classes are asynchronous. Credits can count toward the M.S. in Digital Mapping, but the department’s New Maps Plus site says admissions to that master’s are paused.
Sources: Geography B.A./B.S.; Mapping and GIScience B.A./B.S.; M.A.; Ph.D.; graduate admissions; graduate handbook; Digital Mapping certificate; New Maps Plus admissions.
University of Louisville
The Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences offers a B.S. in Applied Geography with a 121-hour minimum and five tracks: Environmental Sciences, Geospatial Technologies, Human and Cultural Dynamics, Meteorology, and Urban Analytics. All majors take Introduction to GIS, spatial statistics, field methods, and a two-course senior thesis. The Geospatial Technologies track adds remote sensing, GIS programming, uncrewed aerial systems, and advanced GIS. Strong majors can take up to 9 graduate hours in an accelerated B.S./M.S. route.
The 12-hour Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies requires Introduction to GIS and Introduction to Remote Sensing plus two electives, and it can be completed 100% online. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA. It can be taken on its own, but stand-alone certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
The 30-hour M.S. in Applied Geography has thesis and non-thesis options; non-thesis students take a written comprehensive exam. GIS proficiency is required, and students without it take an introductory GIS course on top of the 30 hours. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA (2.75 for conditional admission) and two letters. The fall deadline is May 15, and applicants who want a graduate assistantship should apply by March 15.
Sources: Applied Geography B.S.; Applied Geospatial Technologies certificate; Applied Geography M.S.; Master of Urban Planning.
Murray State University
Murray State’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers the B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geography and GIS Track, a 120-hour degree with a 73–74 hour major. Required courses include World Geography, Introduction to Geographic Information Science, Introduction to Cartography, two remote sensing courses, Geographic Information Systems, Economic Geography, geomorphology, and Programming in Python, plus 12 hours of electives that can include an internship.
The 15–16 hour Certificate in Geographic Information Science requires three GIS and remote sensing courses and one elective from programming, cartography, land use planning, or GIS applications in other fields, with a C or better in each course.
At the graduate level, the 30-hour M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geoinformatics Concentration requires remote sensing, GIS, advanced remote sensing, advanced GIS, a thesis, and a thesis defense. Applicants submit three letters of recommendation. The 14-hour Certificate in Geospatial Data Science combines remote sensing, GIS, and big data analysis with one elective; unconditional admission requires a 3.00 GPA, and up to 6 hours can transfer in.
Sources: Geography and GIS Track; 2026–27 bulletin: B.S. track; GIScience certificate; M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences; Geospatial Data Science certificate.
Western Kentucky University
WKU’s Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences offers a 14-hour Geographic Information Systems Certificate: GIS I, GIS II, GIS Analysis and Modeling, and GIS Programming. WKU Online lists the certificate as fully online. WKU’s 2026–27 catalog does not list a bachelor’s degree named for geography or GIS. Geography and GIS courses are part of the B.S. in Environmental, Earth, and Sustainability Sciences, whose Environmental and Sustainability Sciences concentration includes World Regional Geography and GIS II.
The 30-hour M.S. in Geoscience is a thesis degree with 15 hours of electives drawn from geoscience, geology, and geography courses. Applicants must show written agreement from a faculty member willing to supervise their research, plus three letters; the GRE is recommended but not required. The catalog describes graduate assistant and research or teaching fellow positions.
Sources: GIS certificate; WKU Online certificate page; Environmental, Earth, and Sustainability Sciences B.S.; Geoscience M.S..
Eastern Kentucky University
EKU offers an 18-hour Geographic Information Systems University Certificate. It requires Geographic Information Systems, GIS Cartography, Remote Sensing, and Advanced GIS, plus six hours of electives such as advanced geographic imagery, field methods, plane surveying, computer-aided drafting, disaster planning, statistics, or programming. EKU’s only other geography credential is a minor; it no longer lists a geography degree.
Sources: GIS certificate; 2026–27 programs A–Z.
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Jefferson, part of KCTCS, offers three geospatial credentials through its Computer and Information Technologies program. The 15-credit Applications of Geospatial Technology Certificate covers digital maps, GIS data analysis, remote sensing, geospatial programming, and web mapping. The 21-credit GIS/Unmanned Systems Specialist Certificate pairs GIS and remote sensing with drone operations, safety, and regulations. The 60–64 credit A.A.S. in Computer and Information Technologies, Geospatial Technologies Track adds a GIS special topics course and an internship to the geospatial courses.
Sources: Applications of Geospatial Technology certificate; GIS/Unmanned Systems Specialist certificate; CIT A.A.S. tracks; Jefferson CIT program.
Schools not included
- Morehead State University: the 2026–27 catalog lists a geography minor only. Its Geosciences B.S. is a geology degree.
- Northern Kentucky University: offers a two-course GIS and Mapping micro-credential (undergraduate and graduate versions) and a GIS minor, but no geography or GIS degree or certificate.
- Kentucky State University: its Geospatial Intelligence lab runs GIS and remote sensing training, but no for-credit geography or GIS credential was found.
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College: the KCTCS catalog lists the Geospatial Technologies track at Bluegrass, but the college’s own Computer and Information Technologies page does not, so it is not counted.
- Surveying programs: KCTCS Surveying and Mapping Technology programs and Murray State’s Land Surveying certificate focus on surveying, not GIS.
- Private colleges: no geography or GIS credential was found at Bellarmine, Berea, Campbellsville, Centre, Georgetown, Thomas More, Transylvania, Asbury, the University of the Cumberlands, the University of Pikeville, Union Commonwealth, Lindsey Wilson, Kentucky Wesleyan, Midway, or Spalding. Federal College Navigator data lists no private Kentucky college under the geography or GIS program codes.
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 housing, books, or other costs. University of Kentucky rates already include mandatory fees; other schools’ fees are listed separately.
Undergraduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky B.A./B.S. in Geography; B.A./B.S. in Mapping and GIScience | $7,088.50 per semester (resident, full time) $17,923.00 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $14,177 resident per year $35,846 nonresident per year | Mandatory fees are included in the rate |
| University of Louisville B.S. in Applied Geography | $6,807 per semester (resident, 12 or more hours) $14,980 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $13,614 resident per year $29,960 nonresident per year | $98 per semester recreation fee |
| University of Louisville (online) Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies | $568 per credit, online program rate for residents and nonresidents | 12 credits | $6,816 total | $10 per credit for online courses |
| Murray State University B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geography and GIS Track | $5,265 per semester (Kentucky, 12–15 hours) $5,544 per semester (regional states) $7,995 per semester (other nonresidents) | Two semesters | $10,530 resident per year $11,088 regional per year $15,990 nonresident per year | $200 technology and $150 Racer Experience fee per semester; $10 per credit asset preservation fee |
| Murray State University Certificate in Geographic Information Science | $438.75 per hour (Kentucky, part time) $666.25 per hour (non-regional nonresident) | 15 hours | $6,581.25 resident total $9,993.75 nonresident total | $10 per credit asset preservation fee; technology and Racer Experience fees at 5 or more hours |
| Western Kentucky University (online) GIS Certificate | $551 per credit, distance learning rate for undergraduates | 14 hours | $7,714 total | $15 per credit college fee on GISC courses |
| Eastern Kentucky University GIS University Certificate | $444 per credit (in-state, part time) $510 per credit (out-of-state, part time) | 18 hours | $7,992 resident total $9,180 nonresident total | $12.50 per credit special use fee and $10 per credit asset preservation fee (each capped at $150 per semester); $255 per semester at 6 or more hours |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College Applications of Geospatial Technology Certificate | $198 per credit (resident) $270 per credit (nonresident) | 15 credits | $2,970 resident total $4,050 nonresident total | $8 per credit; $20 per credit for distance learning courses |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College GIS/Unmanned Systems Specialist Certificate | $198 per credit (resident) $270 per credit (nonresident) | 21 credits | $4,158 resident total $5,670 nonresident total | $8 per credit; $20 per credit for distance learning courses |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College CIT A.A.S., Geospatial Technologies Track | $198 per credit (resident) $270 per credit (nonresident) | 60 credits (minimum) | $11,880 resident total $16,200 nonresident total | $8 per credit; $20 per credit for distance learning courses |
All rates are 2026–27.
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky M.A. or Ph.D. in Geography | $7,688.00 per semester (resident, 9 or more hours) $19,024.50 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $15,376 resident per year $38,049 nonresident per year | Mandatory fees are included in the rate |
| University of Kentucky (online) Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping | $847 per credit (UK Online program page) | 11 credits | $9,317 total | Not stated separately |
| University of Louisville M.S. in Applied Geography | $7,767 per semester (resident, 9 or more hours) $15,787 per semester (nonresident) | Two semesters | $15,534 resident per year $31,574 nonresident per year | $98 per semester recreation fee |
| Murray State University M.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geoinformatics | $631 per hour, residents and nonresidents | 30 hours | $18,930 total | $200 technology and $150 Racer Experience fee per semester; $10 per credit asset preservation fee |
| Murray State University Certificate in Geospatial Data Science | $631 per hour, residents and nonresidents | 14 hours | $8,834 total | Same as the M.S. |
| Western Kentucky University M.S. in Geoscience | $607 per hour (resident) $917 per hour (domestic nonresident) | 30 hours | $18,210 resident total $27,510 nonresident total | $15 per credit college fee on GEOG, GEOL, and GEOS courses |
All rates are 2026–27.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- University of Kentucky rates include mandatory fees, so they run higher than rates at schools that bill fees separately.
- UK’s 2026–27 tuition page lists $806 per credit, including mandatory fees, for graduate students enrolled only in distance courses. At that rate, the Digital Mapping certificate would be $8,866 instead of $9,317.
- Murray State charges a reduced regional rate to residents of 15 nearby states, and one graduate rate to all students.
- WKU has no full-time graduate rate; graduate tuition is charged per credit hour. Its online certificate uses the distance learning rate for all students.
- KCTCS charges one statewide per-credit rate at all of its colleges, and online-only courses are billed at the resident rate regardless of residency.
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in Kentucky
Broad geography or technical GIS
The University of Kentucky’s Geography major and Louisville’s Applied Geography B.S. are the traditional geography degrees in the state. For a GIS focus, UK’s Mapping and GIScience major, Louisville’s Geospatial Technologies track, and Murray State’s Geography and GIS track are the closest options. Read more about GIScience degrees and geospatial technology.
Certificate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree
Undergraduate GIS certificates run 12 to 18 hours at Louisville, WKU, Murray State, and EKU. Jefferson’s 15-credit certificate is the lowest-cost route into GIS work. For graduate study, UK offers the M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography, Louisville the M.S. in Applied Geography, and Murray State a geoinformatics M.S. Compare bachelor’s and master’s programs nationally.
Online or campus
Students who need a fully online option in Kentucky are limited to certificates: UK’s graduate certificate in digital mapping, Louisville’s geospatial certificate, and WKU’s GIS certificate. All of the geography and GIS degrees listed here are campus programs or do not state an online option.
Research preparation and funding
- University of Kentucky: M.A. and Ph.D. applicants are automatically considered for assistantships and fellowships. The thesis plan is the usual route for M.A. students.
- University of Louisville: applicants who want a graduate assistantship should apply by March 15. Students choose a thesis or a comprehensive exam.
- Murray State and WKU: both master’s programs require a thesis. WKU also requires a faculty member to agree to supervise the research before admission and lists assistant and fellow positions.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia, and Missouri, 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 unless noted above. Tuition comes from each school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule.
- University of Kentucky: undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition, UK Online certificate rate
- University of Louisville: Fall 2026–Summer 2027 tuition
- Murray State: undergraduate tuition, graduate tuition
- Western Kentucky: 2026–27 tuition and fees, college fees
- Eastern Kentucky: tuition and aid
- KCTCS (Jefferson): 2026–27 tuition rates
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.