BS Geographic Information Science at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

What is GIS? Geographic information systems (GIS) allow us make informed, educated decisions based on geographic data. People intuitively understand maps. Trends and patterns become more apparent when viewed on a map. Maps are necessary for solving spatial problems. Knowledge of GIS and spatial analysis is crucial in today's interconnected and global society.

Faculty: Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Freshman year - Human Geography or Economic and Social Geography - Introduction to Statistical Analysis Sophomore year - Cartography and Map Design - Elementary Computer Programming - Spatial Data Analysis Junior year - Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems - Geovisualization - GIS Algorithms and Programming Senior year - Geographic Applications in Remote Sensing - GIS Design and Implementation - Emerging Topics in GIS - Spatial Simulation and Modeling

Career pathways

Students graduating from Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in geographic information science will be prepared to find employment in areas such as resource management, spatial database development and management, environmental planning, transportation planning, software development, cartography, conservation, urban planning, and spatial decision support services.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Arts and Sciences college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Upon admission to the university, students can enroll directly in the geographic information science program.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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