Oregon has 13 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials. They include 6 public universities and 7 community colleges with GIS certificates or associate degrees. Oregon State University and the University of Oregon award the state’s Ph.D. degrees in geography, and Portland State offers a related Ph.D. in Earth, Environment and Society. Fully online options are concentrated at Oregon State Ecampus and Oregon Tech.
Quick picks for Oregon
- Online bachelor’s degrees: Oregon State Ecampus (B.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science, $409 per credit) and Oregon Tech (B.S. in Geomatics, GIS option, $348 per credit), with no added charge for nonresidents.
- Lowest-cost GIS credential: Umpqua Community College‘s 12-credit GIS Pathway Certificate, $1,560 total.
- Online GIS certificates: Oregon Tech ($6,264 total) and Oregon State Ecampus (graduate certificate, $11,571 total).
- GIS master’s degrees: Portland State M.S. in GIS ($24,660 resident total) and Oregon State‘s online M.S. ($27,405 total).
- Ph.D. programs: Oregon State and University of Oregon.
Rates are resident tuition before fees unless noted. See the tuition comparison for nonresident rates and fees.
Oregon Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates at Universities
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geography and Geospatial Science Geographic Information Science (GIScience) Certificate (undergraduate) | Corvallis or online (Ecampus) | B.S.: 180 quarter credits Certificate: 27 | Required field research courses; same degree on campus or online |
| University of Oregon | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or B.S. in Geography B.A. or B.S. in Spatial Data Science and Technology | Campus (Eugene) | Geography major: 46–48 Spatial data science major: 48 minimum | Spatial data science major draws on geography and computer science |
| Portland State University | B.A. or B.S. in Geography | Campus (Portland) | Major: 52 minimum | Accelerated bachelor’s plus M.S. in GIS route |
| Oregon Tech | B.S. in Geomatics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) option GIS Certificate | B.S.: Klamath Falls or online Certificate: online | B.S.: 180 (80 in GIS and geomatics) Certificate: 18 | Geomatics degree that also offers a surveying option |
| Western Oregon University | Geographic Information Science Certificate | Campus (Monmouth) | 18 | Designed for post-baccalaureate students and professionals |
| Southern Oregon University | Certificate in Geospatial Science (undergraduate) | Campus (Ashland) | 32 | Drone, GPS, and GIS projects; taken by students in many majors |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | Master of Science (M.S.) in Geography and Geospatial Science Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography and Geospatial Science Graduate Certificate in GIScience | Corvallis; M.S. (project option) and certificate also online | M.S.: 45 Ph.D.: 108 Certificate: 19 | All 19 certificate credits can count toward the online M.S. |
| University of Oregon | Master of Arts (M.A.) or M.S. in Geography Ph.D. in Geography | Campus (Eugene) | M.A./M.S.: 49 (thesis) Ph.D.: 81 minimum | Geographic education option for K–12 teachers |
| Portland State University | M.S. in Geographic Information Science (GIS) M.A. or M.S. in Geography Graduate Certificate in GIS Ph.D. in Earth, Environment and Society | Campus (Portland) | M.S. in GIS: 45 M.A./M.S.: 45 (thesis) or 54 Certificate: 20 Ph.D.: 81 | Project-based GIS practicum, often with a community partner |
Community College GIS Credentials
| College | Credential | Units | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon Community College Bend | GIS Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) GIS One-Year Certificate of Completion | A.A.S.: 91–98 Certificate: 51–52 | Not stated; most GIS courses start in fall |
| Portland Community College Portland (Sylvania) | GIS Certificate Geomatics A.A.S. | Certificate: 41 A.A.S.: 98 | Not stated; schedule designed for working students |
| Lane Community College Eugene | Geographic Information Science Certificate of Completion Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems: GIS, Career Pathway Certificate | 12 23 | Not stated |
| Clackamas Community College Oregon City | GIS Technology Certificate | 35–36 | Not stated |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay | GIS Less Than One Year Certificate of Completion | 34 | Not stated; includes a forestry work experience course |
| Treasure Valley Community College Ontario | Geospatial Analyst Career Pathway Certificate | 14 | Not stated |
| Umpqua Community College Roseburg | GIS Pathway Certificate | 12 | Not stated |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs unless a school summary notes otherwise. Oregon universities and community colleges use quarter credits. Minors are not listed. Several other community colleges, including Mt. Hood and Chemeketa, offer geography courses that fit the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree, but these transfer pathways are not GIS credentials and are not counted.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in Oregon
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
- Oregon State University Ecampus B.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science: the catalog lists Ecampus as a location for the degree, and Ecampus lists it as an online degree with four start terms. The same 180-credit requirements apply as on campus. See our Oregon State online geography profile.
- Oregon State University Ecampus M.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science: the online M.S. is the non-thesis project option. The thesis option and the Ph.D. are offered only in Corvallis.
- Oregon Tech B.S. in Geomatics, GIS option: listed among the degrees Oregon Tech Online says can be earned online. Online students pay $348 per credit with no out-of-state surcharge.
- Oregon Tech GIS Certificate: an 18-credit online certificate for non-degree students that can be finished in about nine months. Oregon Tech says financial aid is not offered for it.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- Oregon State Ecampus GIScience certificates (undergraduate and graduate): both are offered through Ecampus, but Ecampus says students can complete “all or nearly all” requirements online. Confirm any in-person requirement before enrolling.
- Lane Community College GIS Certificate of Completion: Lane’s cost estimate includes an online course fee, but the catalog does not say the certificate can be completed online.
The University of Oregon, Portland State, Western Oregon, and Southern Oregon do not describe any of their geography or GIS credentials as fully online. For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
Oregon School Summaries
Oregon State University
Oregon State’s geography programs sit in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. The B.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science (also offered as an honors B.S.) requires 180 quarter credits in Corvallis or online through Ecampus. The major covers physical and human geography, GIS, cartography, and remote sensing, plus 9 credits of experiential learning such as Geographic Field Research and Field Geography Synthesis.
The M.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science requires 45 credits with a thesis in Corvallis or a capstone project online. The Ph.D. requires 108 credits. Research areas are geospatial analysis and modeling, Earth system science, and global change risk and resilience. Oregon State also offers a 27-credit undergraduate and a 19-credit graduate GIScience Certificate. Ecampus says all 19 graduate certificate credits can be applied to the online M.S.
Sources: B.S. catalog; M.S. and Ph.D. catalog; undergraduate certificate; graduate certificate; Ecampus B.S.; Ecampus M.S..
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon offers a B.A. or B.S. in Geography with a 46–48 credit major and five elective specializations, one of which is geographic information system science. Its B.A. or B.S. in Spatial Data Science and Technology requires at least 48 credits from geography and computer and information science: four required courses and eight electives.
The M.A. or M.S. in Geography is a thesis degree of 49 credits. The M.A. requires second-year proficiency in a second language, while M.S. students can use a foreign or computer language. A geographic education option serves K–12 teachers. The Ph.D. in Geography requires at least 81 credits, including 18 dissertation credits. The university’s 2026–27 catalog lists no GIS certificate.
Sources: Geography B.A./B.S.; Spatial Data Science and Technology; M.A./M.S.; Ph.D..
Portland State University
Portland State’s B.A. or B.S. in Geography requires at least 52 major credits, with 8 credits each in geographic techniques, physical geography, and human geography. B.S. students add a statistics requirement. Geography majors with strong grades can enter a bachelor’s plus master’s route and share up to 20 graduate credits with the M.S. in GIS.
The 45-credit M.S. in Geographic Information Science includes GIS programming, spatial databases, a focus area such as remote sensing or cartography, and a project-based practicum that usually involves a community partner. The M.A. or M.S. in Geography takes 45 credits with a thesis or 54 without, and the M.A. requires a foreign language. The 20-credit Graduate Certificate in GIS can be earned alone or applied toward the master’s. Doctoral students work toward the Ph.D. in Earth, Environment and Society, an 81-credit program spanning environmental science, geography, geology, and anthropology.
Sources: Geography bachelor’s; bachelor’s plus master’s; M.S. in GIS; Geography master’s; GIS certificate; Ph.D..
Oregon Tech
Oregon Institute of Technology offers the B.S. in Geomatics with a GIS option, which requires 180 credits, 80 of them in GIS and geomatics. Courses cover spatial analysis, Python, geodatabases, remote sensing, and web and mobile mapping. The degree is offered in Klamath Falls and online. A surveying option is also offered, and an unmanned systems option begins in fall 2027.
The online GIS Certificate takes 18 credits: an introductory GIS course plus at least 15 credits of electives such as raster analysis, Python for geospatial analysis, and GIS database development. No GIS experience is required, and all certificate courses also count toward the bachelor’s degree.
Sources: Geomatics programs; GIS option catalog; GIS Certificate; online degrees list.
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon’s 18-credit Geographic Information Science Certificate is part of its Earth and Environmental Science program and is aimed at post-baccalaureate students and working professionals. It covers Python programming, two GIS courses, a capstone, and one course in remote sensing or data analysis. Undergraduates take the GIS minor instead. Western Oregon’s 2026–27 catalog lists no geography major.
Sources: 2026–27 GIS Certificate catalog.
Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon’s 32-credit Certificate in Geospatial Science is an undergraduate credential in the Environmental Science, Policy, and Sustainability program. It has four lower-division and four upper-division courses and uses GPS, GIS, and drones on real-world projects. Students in environmental science, biology, business, sociology, criminal justice, and other majors earn it. Southern Oregon also offers a shorter GIS micro-credential, a digital badge rather than a certificate.
Sources: Certificate in Geospatial Science; GIS micro-credential.
Community Colleges
Central Oregon Community College offers the only GIS-named associate degree we found in Oregon, a 91–98 credit GIS A.A.S., plus a 51–52 credit One-Year Certificate for students who already have or are working on a degree. Most GIS courses run once a year starting in fall. Portland Community College‘s 41-credit GIS Certificate can start in any term and ends with a map portfolio; PCC also offers a 98-credit Geomatics A.A.S. that combines GIS with surveying.
Lane Community College‘s 12-credit Geographic Information Science Certificate of Completion covers Digital Earth, GIS 1, and GIS 2 or remote sensing. Lane’s 23-credit Aviation Unmanned Aircraft Systems: GIS certificate pairs the same GIS courses with drone flight training; Lane’s aviation program requires a separate application. Clackamas Community College‘s 35–36 credit GIS Technology Certificate includes web mapping, programming for GIS, data collection, and a capstone.
Southwestern Oregon Community College‘s 34-credit GIS Certificate of Completion combines GIS and cartography with database, forest surveying, and a forestry work experience course. Treasure Valley Community College‘s 14-credit Geospatial Analyst Career Pathway Certificate covers field methods, GPS, map use, and an introductory GIS course. Umpqua Community College‘s 12-credit GIS Pathway Certificate is three GIS courses, which Umpqua says transfer to the University of Oregon, Oregon State, and Oregon Tech.
Sources: COCC A.A.S.; COCC certificate; PCC Geography catalog; Lane GIS certificate; Lane UAS GIS certificate; Clackamas GIS certificate; Southwestern GIS certificate; Treasure Valley degrees; Umpqua GIS certificate.
Schools not included
- Eastern Oregon University lists no geography or GIS degree or certificate in its 2026–27 catalog.
- Mt. Hood, Chemeketa, Rogue, Klamath, Blue Mountain, and Linn-Benton community colleges offer geography or GIS courses but no GIS-named certificate or degree in their 2026–27 catalogs. Mt. Hood’s geography offering is a transfer pathway. Columbia Gorge, Clatsop, Oregon Coast, and Tillamook Bay list no GIS program.
- Private colleges: we found no geography or GIS credential at Willamette, Lewis & Clark, Reed, the University of Portland, Linfield, George Fox, or Pacific University.
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 unless the row says so. Full-time years assume 15 quarter credits in each of three terms (45 credits).
Undergraduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University (Corvallis) B.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science | $4,480 per term at 15 credits (resident, entering 2026–27) $13,385 per term at 15 credits (nonresident) | Three terms | $13,440 resident per year $40,155 nonresident per year | $864.04 per term in mandatory fees ($2,592.12 per year); $450 one-time matriculation fee |
| Oregon State University Ecampus B.S. in Geography and Geospatial Science | $409 per credit, same for residents and nonresidents (includes a $15 per credit distance education fee) | 45 credits per year; 180 credits total | $18,405 per year $73,620 total | $450 one-time matriculation fee |
| Oregon State University Ecampus GIScience Certificate (undergraduate) | $409 per credit | 27 credits | $11,043 total | Course materials not included |
| University of Oregon Geography and Spatial Data Science bachelor’s degrees | $322.93 per credit (resident, 2026–27 entering cohort) $989.40 per credit (nonresident) | 45 credits per year | $14,531.85 resident per year $44,523 nonresident per year | $981 per term in mandatory fees ($2,943 per year); $569.89 one-time matriculation fee |
| Portland State University B.A. or B.S. in Geography | $13,593 per year in tuition and mandatory fees (resident) $36,249 per year (nonresident) | 16 credits per term, fall through spring | $13,593 resident per year $36,249 nonresident per year (both include fees) | Included in the published figure; $475 one-time matriculation fee |
| Oregon Tech (Klamath Falls) B.S. in Geomatics, GIS option | $361.04 per credit (resident, engineering and technology differential rate) $1,149.21 per credit (nonresident) | 45 credits per year | $16,246.80 resident per year $51,714.45 nonresident per year | Campus fees vary; Oregon Tech lists $18,618.06 per year in resident tuition and fees |
| Oregon Tech Online B.S. in Geomatics, GIS option; GIS Certificate | $348 per credit, no out-of-state surcharge | B.S.: 45 credits per year; certificate: 18 credits | B.S.: $15,660 per year Certificate: $6,264 total | $65 online technology fee per course; $50 one-time online matriculation fee |
| Western Oregon University GIS Certificate | $230 per credit (resident undergraduate rate) $680 per credit (nonresident) | 18 credits | $4,140 resident total $12,240 nonresident total | Building, incidental, and health fees per term; $365 one-time matriculation fee |
| Southern Oregon University Certificate in Geospatial Science | $250.98 per credit (resident) $717 per credit (nonresident) | 32 credits | $8,031.36 resident total $22,944 nonresident total | Mandatory student fee of $111.47 per credit, capped at $891.75 per term |
Rates are 2026–27.
Community college tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon Community College GIS A.A.S. and One-Year Certificate | $130 per credit (in-district) $185 per credit (out-of-district Oregon and border states) $385 per credit (out-of-state) | A.A.S.: 91–98 credits; certificate: 51–52 credits | A.A.S.: $11,830–$12,740 in-district total Certificate: $6,630–$6,760 in-district total | $21.25 per credit in standard fees |
| Portland Community College GIS Certificate; Geomatics A.A.S. | $143 per credit (residents of Oregon and bordering states) $298 per credit (nonresident) | Certificate: 41 credits; A.A.S.: 98 credits | Certificate: $5,863 resident total A.A.S.: $14,014 resident total | $11.60 per credit plus $15 per term; lab fees up to $45 per course |
| Lane Community College GIS Certificate; UAS GIS Certificate | $151 per credit (residents of Oregon and bordering states) $350 per credit (nonresident) | 12 credits; 23 credits | GIS: $1,812 resident total UAS GIS: $3,473 resident total | $14 per credit technology fee plus $141.60 per term; UAS program fees of $2,250 |
| Clackamas Community College GIS Technology Certificate | $136 per credit (residents of Oregon and bordering states) $320 per credit (nonresident) | 35–36 credits | $4,760–$4,896 resident total | $14 per credit plus $40 per term |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College GIS Certificate of Completion | $120 per credit (U.S. residents) | 34 credits | $4,080 total | $42 per credit plus $42 per course |
| Treasure Valley Community College Geospatial Analyst Certificate | $123 per credit (Oregon resident) $133 per credit (out-of-state) | 14 credits | $1,722 resident total $1,862 out-of-state total | Student and course fees per class |
| Umpqua Community College GIS Pathway Certificate | $130 per credit, same for all students | 12 credits | $1,560 total | $38.50 per credit |
Rates are 2026–27 except Portland Community College and Clackamas, whose rate pages do not state a year (current as of October 2026).
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University (Corvallis) M.S. and Ph.D. | $4,896 per term at 9–16 credits (resident) $11,376 per term at 9–16 credits (nonresident) | Three terms | $14,688 resident per year $34,128 nonresident per year | $864.04 per term in mandatory fees; $380 one-time matriculation fee |
| Oregon State University Ecampus M.S. (project option); GIScience Graduate Certificate | $609 per credit, same for residents and nonresidents | M.S.: 45 credits; certificate: 19 credits | M.S.: $27,405 total Certificate: $11,571 total | $380 one-time matriculation fee |
| University of Oregon M.A./M.S. and Ph.D. in Geography | $5,841 per term at 9–16 credits (resident) $10,863 per term at 9–16 credits (nonresident) | Three terms | $17,523 resident per year $32,589 nonresident per year | $945 per term in mandatory fees; $569.89 one-time matriculation fee |
| Portland State University M.S. in GIS; Geography M.A./M.S.; GIS Graduate Certificate | $548 per credit (resident, geography rate) $809 per credit (nonresident) | M.S. in GIS: 45 credits; certificate: 20 credits | M.S. in GIS: $24,660 resident total; $36,405 nonresident total Certificate: $10,960 resident total; $16,180 nonresident total | Mandatory fees per term (not published per credit) |
Rates are 2026–27.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- Portland State publishes undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees as one figure, so its row includes fees while the other bachelor’s rows do not.
- Oregon State and the University of Oregon set undergraduate tuition by entering class. The rates above are for students starting in 2026–27.
- Oregon State Ecampus and Oregon Tech Online charge the same rate to residents and nonresidents. Ecampus costs more per year than the Corvallis resident rate but far less than nonresident campus tuition, and Oregon Tech Online is below both of its Klamath Falls rates.
- Several Oregon community colleges, including Portland, Lane, and Clackamas, charge their resident rate to students from Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada.
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in Oregon
Broad geography or technical GIS
Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and Portland State offer broad geography degrees with GIS coursework. For a more technical path, look at Oregon Tech’s Geomatics GIS option or the University of Oregon’s Spatial Data Science and Technology major. Read more about GIScience degrees and geospatial technology.
Starting with a certificate
Community college GIS certificates range from 12 to 52 credits and from about $1,560 to $6,760 in tuition. Shorter certificates at Umpqua, Lane, and Treasure Valley cover the core GIS courses, while the longer Central Oregon, Portland, Clackamas, and Southwestern Oregon certificates add programming, databases, or fieldwork. Compare bachelor’s programs nationally if you plan to transfer.
Master’s or Ph.D.
Portland State’s M.S. in GIS and Oregon State’s online M.S. are practice-oriented degrees that end in a project. Thesis master’s degrees are available at the University of Oregon, Portland State, and Oregon State in Corvallis, and doctoral study is at Oregon State, the University of Oregon, and Portland State’s Earth, Environment and Society program. See master’s programs.
Online or campus
Oregon State Ecampus offers the only fully online geography bachelor’s and master’s degrees we found in Oregon, and Oregon Tech offers an online geomatics bachelor’s and GIS certificate. Both charge one rate regardless of residency. Compare them with online geography programs in other states.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in Washington, California, and Nevada, 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 a school summary notes otherwise. Tuition comes from each school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule unless a row notes otherwise.
- Universities: Oregon State tuition and fee tables, Oregon State Ecampus rates, University of Oregon 2026–27 tuition and fee tables (PDF), Portland State undergraduate tuition, Portland State graduate tuition, Oregon Tech tuition, Oregon Tech Online costs, Western Oregon tuition calculator, Southern Oregon tuition calculator
- Community colleges: Central Oregon, Portland, Lane, Clackamas, Southwestern Oregon, Treasure Valley, Umpqua
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.