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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in California

20 Ranked Colleges
706 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 64 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $7,081 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Stanford University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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 $48-$75k list. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Caltech also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $9,755 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Caltech

3

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,423 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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 $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $12,644 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

5

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #5 spot on the list. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 48 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $14,583 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 UCSB

6

University of California - Davis ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $14,193 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Davis

6

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $5,700 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 - Los Angeles Geology & Earth Sciences Report

8

University of California - San Diego came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $14,310 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full UCSD Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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 $48-$75k list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $11,189 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CSULB Geology & Earth Sciences Report

10

University of California - Irvine came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 70 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $13,275 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 94%.

Full UC Irvine Geology & Earth Sciences Report

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal State Fullerton

12

University of California - Riverside came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCR has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,126 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

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

13

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

14

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $15,958 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full Cal Poly Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

15

California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,602 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sac State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

16

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $7,976 for california geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Stan State

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $14,698 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at SDSU

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 $48-$75k ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $10,780 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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 $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Merced has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,261 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Merced.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Merced

20
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $16,716 for California Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University

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