GIS in geography is the use of geographic information systems, software that stores, analyzes and maps location data, to answer geographic questions. Geography asks why things are where they are. GIS is the main tool geographers use to measure, model and map those patterns, from flood risk and crime hot spots to store locations and wildlife habitat.
That is why GIS and geography degrees overlap so much. A geography degree teaches the questions and usually includes several GIS courses. A GIS degree or certificate goes deeper into the software, data and programming. GIScience (geographic information science) is the research side: the theory and methods behind spatial analysis. This guide explains the differences, the degree paths at each level and where to study, on campus or online.
GIS vs. GIScience vs. Geography Degrees
| Degree Type | What You Study | Key Tools | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Human and physical geography, regions, environment and society, with GIS as one tool | ArcGIS Pro or QGIS, basic statistics | Planning, environmental, policy and teaching careers |
| GIS (geographic information systems) | Applied mapping, spatial analysis, data management and remote sensing | ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Python, SQL, imagery software | GIS analyst, technician and mapping jobs |
| GIScience | Theory and methods of spatial data: spatial statistics, modeling, algorithms and data science | Python, R, spatial databases, cloud platforms | Research, graduate study and geospatial data science |
Many students combine them, for example a geography bachelor’s with a GIS certificate. Schools also mix the names, so read course lists rather than titles. Our online geography and GIS degree comparison shows how much GIS each online program requires.
GIS Degree Paths by Level
| Credential | Typical Length | Who It Fits | Online Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate GIS certificate | 9–20 credits | Students in any major and working professionals adding GIS skills | Fort Hays State (9 credits) |
| Bachelor’s in geography or GIS | 120 credits | First-time students and transfers aiming for analyst or technician roles | Arizona State, Oregon State, North Alabama |
| Graduate GIS certificate | 11–20 credits | Bachelor’s holders switching into GIS, often stackable into a master’s | Northwest Missouri State, UMaine, Kentucky |
| Master’s in GIS, GIScience or geography | 30–36 credits | Career changers and analysts moving into senior, technical or management roles | Northwest Missouri State, Oklahoma, Liberty, Marshall |
Campus GIS and GIScience Programs
These on-campus programs are known for GIScience training. Figures come from each school’s official pages, checked in October 2026.
University of California, Santa Barbara
UCSB’s Department of Geography offers a B.A. in Geography with a Geographic Information Science emphasis, with focus areas in remote sensing, GIS and cartography, and quantitative methods. GIScience and geoinformatics is one of the department’s core research areas, home to the Center for Spatial Studies and Data Science. Graduate students pursue an M.A. or Ph.D. in Geography; the graduate program does not require the GRE but does require a faculty sponsor.
Appalachian State University
App State in Boone, North Carolina, offers a B.S. in Geography with a GIS concentration, an undergraduate GIS certificate and an M.A. in Geography with a GIScience concentration. Its 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science is offered fully online and asynchronously, with no GRE, and can be finished in two semesters. Online graduate tuition is about $344 per credit for North Carolina residents and about $1,328 for nonresidents.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
UCCS offers an M.A. in Applied Geography with a GIScience specialization (30 credits including a thesis), plus 20-credit graduate and undergraduate GIScience certificates. The M.A. is in person, with many classes held during weekday working hours. UCCS says the certificates can be completed online, but only a limited number of courses are offered online each term, so plan carefully.
Marshall University
Marshall in Huntington, West Virginia, offers a GIScience emphasis in its B.S. and its M.A. and M.S. in Geography, plus undergraduate and graduate GIScience certificates. The master’s and graduate certificate can be completed 100% online at $565.25 per credit for every state in 2026–27. See our Marshall online profile.
Online GIS Degrees and Certificates
| School | Online GIS Program | Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Missouri State | M.S. in Geographic Information Science | 30 | $12,960 |
| Oklahoma | M.S. Geospatial Technologies | 33 | ~$33,500 |
| Liberty | M.S. in Geographic Information Systems | 36 | ~$21,600 |
| UMaine | M.S. in Spatial Computing | 30 | ~$21,500 |
| CU Denver | M.S./M.Eng. Geomatics and GIS | 30 | ~$24,000–$27,900 |
| Arizona State | B.S. in Geographic Information Science | 120 | ~$69,600 |
| North Alabama | B.S. in Geographic Information Science | 120 | ~$51,000 |
| Kentucky | Graduate Certificate in Digital Mapping | 11 | ~$9,300 |
| Fort Hays State | GIS User certificate | 9 | ~$2,500 |
Tuition is rounded and assumes no transfer credit. See the full list, including geography degrees with GIS tracks, in our online geography and GIS degree guide.
Skills and Software You Will Learn
- Desktop GIS: Esri ArcGIS Pro is the industry standard; QGIS is the main free alternative. ArcGIS Pro runs on Windows, so Mac users usually need a virtual desktop.
- Cartography and visualization: map design, web maps and dashboards (ArcGIS Online, Leaflet, Mapbox).
- Remote sensing: satellite, aerial and drone imagery, plus LiDAR in more technical programs.
- Programming: Python for automating GIS work, R for spatial statistics and SQL for spatial databases.
- Field data: GPS/GNSS, mobile data collection and survey basics.
GIS and Geography Careers and Salary
| Occupation | Median Pay (May 2025) | Job Growth (2025–35) | Typical Entry Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartographers and photogrammetrists | $81,390 | 7% | Bachelor’s |
| Surveying and mapping technicians | $54,240 | 6% | High school + training |
| Geographers | $102,040 | -2% | Bachelor’s |
| Urban and regional planners | $89,320 | 4% | Master’s |
| Geoscientists | $101,920 | 5% | Bachelor’s |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. BLS does not publish separate pay figures for GIS analysts or technologists. It groups GIS technologists into a broad computer occupations category, and describes GIS technician work under surveying and mapping technicians. Pay for GIS roles varies widely with programming skill, industry and location.
Bottom Line
If you want a broad education and flexible career options, choose a geography degree with strong GIS coursework, then add a GIS certificate. If you already know you want technical GIS work, a GIS bachelor’s or a graduate certificate gets you there faster. For senior analyst, developer or data science roles, a GIS or GIScience master’s with programming adds the most value. Online, Northwest Missouri State offers the lowest-cost GIS master’s we track, and graduate certificates from Kentucky, UMaine and Northwest Missouri State are fast, lower-cost starting points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GIS in geography?
GIS (geographic information systems) is the software and methods geographers use to collect, analyze and map location data. It turns geographic questions, such as where flooding is most likely or where a new clinic is needed, into maps and measurable answers.
Is a GIS degree the same as a geography degree?
No. A geography degree covers human and physical geography with GIS as one tool. A GIS degree focuses on mapping software, spatial analysis, remote sensing and programming. GIScience is the research-oriented study of the methods behind GIS.
Is GIS a good career?
BLS projects 7% growth for cartographers and photogrammetrists from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with a May 2025 median of $81,390. GIS skills are also used in planning, environmental science, utilities, public safety and business.
Can you get a GIS degree online?
Yes. Online options include master’s degrees from Northwest Missouri State, Oklahoma, Liberty, UMaine and CU Denver, bachelor’s degrees in GIScience from Arizona State and North Alabama, and many online GIS certificates.
Do I need a degree or just a GIS certificate?
Many GIS technician jobs ask for a bachelor’s degree plus GIS skills. If you already have a degree in any field, a graduate GIS certificate is often the fastest route. A full GIS degree makes more sense if you have no degree yet or want senior technical roles.
Official Sources
We verified this profile against the following school pages in October 2026. Program details change, so confirm current requirements and costs with the school before you apply.
- UCSB Geography: GIScience emphasis
- UCSB GIScience and Geoinformatics research
- UCSB graduate program
- App State B.S. Geography (GIS)
- App State M.A. Geography
- App State online GIScience graduate certificate
- App State tuition and fees
- UCCS M.A. Applied Geography
- UCCS GIScience graduate certificate
- UCCS GIScience undergraduate certificate
- Marshall GIScience
- Marshall graduate GIScience certificate
- BLS: Cartographers and photogrammetrists
- BLS: Surveying and mapping technicians
- BLS: Geographers
- BLS: Urban and regional planners
- BLS: Geoscientists
- BLS: Occupations not covered in detail