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Geospatial specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a geospatial specialist. Geospatial specialists usually study environmental science, geography, or business. 65% of geospatial specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 42 real geospatial specialist resumes to see exactly what geospatial specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for geospatial specialists are the University of North Alabama and the University of North Alabama.
There are also many online geospatial specialist courses to help get the education required to be a geospatial specialist.
What education do you need to become a geospatial specialist?
What degree do you need to be a geospatial specialist?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 19%
- Master's, 13%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a geospatial specialist?
- Geography, 19%
- Business, 6%
- Public Relations, 6%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for geospatial specialists
| Geospatial specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of North Alabama | 8.70% |
| Ohio State University | 8.70% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 8.70% |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | 4.35% |
| Excelsior College | 4.35% |
Best majors for geospatial specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 21.9% |
| 2 | Geography | 18.8% |
| 3 | Business | 6.3% |
| 4 | Public Relations | 6.3% |
| 5 | Drafting And Design | 6.3% |
Best colleges for geospatial specialists
The best colleges for geospatial specialists are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of California, Berkeley.
A geospatial specialist 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 specialists. 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 specialists.
1. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
6. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
7. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
9. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$55,453
Enrollment
4,312
10. University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK • Private
In-state tuition
$6,657
Enrollment
4,657
20 best online courses for geospatial specialists
Advertising disclosure
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. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an increasingly sought after skill in industries from agriculture to public health. This Specialization, offered in partnership with ArcGIS developer Esri, will teach the skills you need to successfully use GIS software in a professional setting. You will learn how to analyze your spatial data, use cartography techniques to communicate your results in maps, and collaborate with peers in GIS and GIS-dependent fields. In the final Capstone...
3. Spatial Analysis & Geospatial Data Science in Python
Learn how to process and visualize geospatial data and perform spatial analysis using Python...
4. Spatial Analysis and Geospatial Data Science With Python
Learn how to process and visualize geospatial data and perform spatial analysis using Python...
5. 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!...
6. 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...
7. Geospatial Analyses & Remote Sensing: from Beginner to Pro
Learn Remote Sensing, QGIS & GIS , main concepts, machine learning, QGIS classification, change detection, Earth Engine...
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. [Intermediate] Spatial Data Analysis with R, QGIS & More
Become an Open source GIS Guru and Tackle Spatial Data Analysis Using R, QGIS, GRASS & GOOGLE EARTH...
12. Fundamentals of Data Analysis for Big Data
This course prepares participants to begin running data analysis on databases...
13. Python for Geospatial
learn to write Python scripts for Arc GIS, QGIS, Postgres, and other geospatial software...
14. Machine Learning for Data Analysis: Data Profiling & QA
Machine Learning made simple with Excel! Learn data profiling for advanced analysis & business intelligence (no coding!)...
15. Machine Learning in GIS and Remote Sensing: 5 Courses in 1
Understand & apply machine learning and deep learning for geospatial tasks (GIS and Remote Sensing) in QGIS and Arc GIS...
16. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification
From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020...
17. Advanced Tableau for Business Intelligence & Data Analysis
Build expert-level Tableau skills with real-world business intelligence & data visualization projects (Tableau 2020.2+)...
18. Complete Google Earth Engine for Remote Sensing & GIS
Harness the Power of Google Earth Engine for GIS Spatial Data Analysis & Remote Sensing...
19. SQL - Master Class For Data Analysis
Writing SQL Server queries for Data Analysis...
20. Introduction to Spatial Databases with PostGIS and QGIS 3
Learn Spatial SQL and database management for GIS Professionals...
Top 10 most affordable universities for geospatial specialists
The most affordable schools for geospatial specialists are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for geospatial specialists 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 specialists.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for geospatial specialists
The hardest universities for geospatial specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of California, Berkeley.
Some great schools for geospatial specialists 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 specialists 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for geospatial specialists
The easiest schools for geospatial specialists to get into are California University of Pennsylvania, william paterson university of new jersey, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a geospatial specialist 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 specialists.
1. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
2. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,072
5. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
6. Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
79%
SAT average
1,075
7. Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,062
8. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average geospatial specialist salary by education level
| Geospatial specialist education level | Geospatial specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $62,481 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $55,381 |
| Doctorate Degree | $62,848 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,483 |
Geospatial specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025