2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California
20
Ranked Colleges
706
Degrees Awarded
$13,200
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 6,024 people earned their degree in geology & earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 706 geology & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in geology & earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geology & earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geology & 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.
More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools in California” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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
The colleges and universities below are the best for california geology students.
Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california geology students list, UCSB has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for california geology students per year to attend UCSB.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, 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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UCSB
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for California Geology students.
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 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 California State University - Long Beach
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and 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. It costs about $15,023 for california geology students per year to attend UCLA.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UCLA Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $16,032 for california geology students 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 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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California list. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
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 $15,240 for california geology students.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #6. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for California Geology students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
University of California - Davis landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California Geology 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Davis
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 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. It costs about $12,209 for california geology students per year to attend UC Irvine.
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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine
With a ranking of #9, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for California Geology students.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full UC Santa Cruz Geology & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #10, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,845 for california geology students per year to attend SDSU.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University
California State University - Fullerton ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California list. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $8,003 for california geology students per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. 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. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for california geology students.
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%.
Full Sac State Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Humboldt State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,956 for California Geology students per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Full Humboldt State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #14, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California list. 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 also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,822 for California Geology students per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Riverside Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Northridge ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California list. California State University - Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees 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 yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california geology students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California list. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california geology students list, Stan State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $6,566 for california geology students.
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%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for California Geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Merced landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. UC 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.
UC Merced also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,691 for California Geology students per year to attend University of California - Merced.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Merced
Stanford University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 64 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for California Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Stanford University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in California ranking, coming in at #20. Caltech 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 made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend California Institute of Technology is $26,542 for california geology students.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Caltech Geology & Earth Sciences Report
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