Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California

19 Ranked Colleges
127 Degrees Awarded
$26,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 7,036 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 101st most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 848 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 127 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Caltech

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

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

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUB, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUB Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fresno

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#10 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SDSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 12 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - San Diego Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#18

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State East Bay, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - East Bay Geology & Earth Sciences Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kelvinsong.

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You