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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

20 Ranked Colleges
706 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Geology & Earth Sciences is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,024 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across California, there were 706 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geology and earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 64 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $1,233 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Caltech also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $-539 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California Institute of Technology. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California Institute of Technology Geology & Earth Sciences Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Geology & Earth Sciences Report

5

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #5 spot on the list. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $10,568 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCSB

6

University of California - San Diego landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego

7

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,887 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Geology & Earth Sciences Report

8

University of California - Davis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $10,006 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Davis

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at CSULB

10

California State University - Fullerton landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,590 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Geology & Earth Sciences Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 70 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine

12

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 49 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $11,038 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

13

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Riverside

14

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

15
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University

16

California State University - Sacramento came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $8,163 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Sac State

17

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

Stan State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $4,122 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18

California State University - Northridge came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $6,266 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Northridge

19

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Merced has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Merced is $10,363 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Merced

20
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $11,473 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Humboldt State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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