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2023 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

16 Ranked Colleges
1,729 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 9,899 people earned their degree in environmental studies, making the major the 87th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 1,729 environmental studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in environmental studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality environmental studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the environmental studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Environmental Studies Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Environmental Studies (Income $30-$48k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 359 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,999 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Environmental Studies at University of California - Berkeley

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Environmental Studies at UC Davis

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also took the #4 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,449 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Irvine.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Environmental Studies at University of California - Irvine

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 377 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at UCSB

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 83 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at UCSD

6
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at San Diego State University

7

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 192 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $12,049 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Environmental Studies at University of California - Santa Cruz

8

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ecosystem studies degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

CSUMB also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $10,711 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at CSUMB

9

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 13 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $11,025 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at California State University - East Bay

10
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.

Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at Humboldt State University

11
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #11, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $11,862 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at SFSU

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 52 degrees to qualified ’s ecosystem studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Environmental Studies at California State University - San Marcos

13
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. SCU is a medium-sized school located in Santa Clara, California that handed out 26 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SCU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Clara University is $23,508 for California Ecosystem Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at SCU

14
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Occidental College is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 32 ’s ecosystem studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oxy, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Occidental College is $13,475 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Environmental Studies at Oxy

15

16
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Ecosystem Studies Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s ecosystem studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, USFCA has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Environmental Studies Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $31,994 for california ecosystem studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Environmental Studies at USFCA

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