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Geospatial analyst education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a geospatial analyst. Geospatial analysts usually study geography, business, or intelligence operations. 65% of geospatial analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,738 real geospatial analyst resumes to see exactly what geospatial analyst education sections show.
The most common colleges for geospatial analysts are the American University and the American University.
There are also many online geospatial analyst courses to help get the education required to be a geospatial analyst.
What education do you need to become a geospatial analyst?
What degree do you need to be a geospatial analyst?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a geospatial analyst?
Most common colleges for geospatial analysts
| Geospatial analyst common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| American University | 16.74% |
| James Madison University | 7.53% |
| George Mason University | 7.53% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.28% |
| University of Phoenix | 5.44% |
Best majors for geospatial analysts
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geography | 41.1% |
| 2 | Business | 6.9% |
| 3 | Intelligence Operations | 6.5% |
| 4 | Environmental Science | 6.3% |
| 5 | Geology | 5.9% |
Best colleges for geospatial analysts
The best colleges for geospatial analysts are University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A geospatial analyst with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for geospatial analysts. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become geospatial analysts.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
2. Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$37,055
Enrollment
2,799
3. Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,729
Enrollment
6,722
4. Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Private
In-state tuition
$11,716
Enrollment
9,474
5. University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ • Private
In-state tuition
$12,467
Enrollment
33,509
6. Missouri State University
Springfield, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$7,376
Enrollment
16,948
7. Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$40,260
Enrollment
3,170
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
9. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$55,453
Enrollment
4,312
10. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
20 best online courses for geospatial analysts
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1. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...
2. Geospatial Big Data Visualization with Kepler GL
In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to easily create beautiful data visualization with Kepler and effectively design different geospatial data visualizations...
3. Spatial Analysis and Geospatial Data Science With Python
Learn how to process and visualize geospatial data and perform spatial analysis using Python...
4. Spatial Analysis & Geospatial Data Science in Python
Learn how to process and visualize geospatial data and perform spatial analysis using Python...
5. Climate Geospatial Analysis on Python with Xarray
By the end of this project, you will be able to load, visualize, manipulate and perform both simple and grouped operations over geospatial multidimensional data through Xarray and Python. We'll explore an dataset containing temperature, vegetation density and total precipitation over the Brazilian Amazon for the 1979-2019 period while the concepts are developed. This will enable the learner to handle and extract knowledge from complex datasets such as the ones from satellite and climate...
6. Geospatial Analyses & Remote Sensing: from Beginner to Pro
Learn Remote Sensing, QGIS & GIS , main concepts, machine learning, QGIS classification, change detection, Earth Engine...
7. Python for Geospatial
learn to write Python scripts for Arc GIS, QGIS, Postgres, and other geospatial software...
8. ArcGIS Desktop For Spatial Analysis: Go From Basic To Pro
Spatial Data Analysis With Arc GIS Desktop: Master GIS Techniques and Open Doors to Amazing Geospatial Careers...
9. Geospatial Data Science with Python: GeoPandas
Vector based geospatial analysis...
10. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis
Become proficient in satellite remote sensing, spatial analysis principles, methods, applications, sensors, and GIS!...
11. Introduction to web programming for GIS applications
Understanding web programming fundamentals focused on geospatial applications using Leaflet, Turf.js, and Post GIS...
12. Complete Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing & GIS
Harness the Power of Google Earth Engine for GIS Spatial Data Analysis & Remote Sensing...
13. Machine Learning in GIS and Remote Sensing: 5 Courses in 1
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14. Satellite Remote Sensing Data Bootcamp With Opensource Tools
Pre-process and Analyze Satellite Remote Sensing Data With Free Software...
15. Advanced Tableau for Business Intelligence & Data Analysis
Build expert-level Tableau skills with real-world business intelligence & data visualization projects (Tableau 2020.2+)...
16. Level 1 Intelligence Analyst Certification
Training in Critical Thinking & Descriptive Intelligence Analysis...
17. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers
Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...
18. Exploring Spatial Information using ArcGIS Pro
Arc GIS Pro is the latest in-demand skill for GIS Professionals that you can master using this highly structured course!...
19. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS
Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...
20. Practical QGIS For Spatial Data Analysis: Beginner to Expert
Master Geographic Information Systems (GIS) For Spatial Data Analysis With QGIS: Go from Basic To Expert Level...
Top 10 most affordable universities for geospatial analysts
The most affordable schools for geospatial analysts are Brigham Young University, hunter college of the city university of new york, and florida international university.
If the best universities for geospatial analysts are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for geospatial analysts.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
9. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus
San Juan, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
11,299
10. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for geospatial analysts
The hardest universities for geospatial analysts to get into are University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for geospatial analysts are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for geospatial analysts based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
7. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
59%
SAT average
1,367
8. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
9. Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,439
10. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for geospatial analysts
The easiest schools for geospatial analysts to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame college, and saint mary's university of minnesota.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a geospatial analyst without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for geospatial analysts.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
3. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
4. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,073
5. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
6. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
7. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
8. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
9. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
10. Auburn University-Montgomery
Montgomery, AL • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,084
Average geospatial analyst salary by education level
| Geospatial analyst education level | Geospatial analyst salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,972 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $57,407 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $66,996 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $60,126 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025