2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in California
[Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences-geosciences-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $15,671. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $19,375. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $10,492. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences will find it at Sonoma State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $18,031. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $51,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $48,489. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
More Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Rankings
View All Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
