2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geology & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 62 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Stanford University

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $38,804 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Irvine

3

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 23 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $43,462 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Davis

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California Institute Of Technology

6

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #6 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $43,362 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,833. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of California Santa Cruz

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California San Diego

8

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 29 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California State University Sacramento

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 24 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,406 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

10

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #10 for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 18 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. Typical student debt for the program is $15,125. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California State University Fullerton

11

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 53 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $30,759 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,800. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California Santa Barbara

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California State University Long Beach

13

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #13 position for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 16 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California Merced earn around $42,071 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of California Merced

14

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University landed the #14 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Arcata. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 16 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,476. Typical student debt for the program is $20,526. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Humboldt State University

15

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #15 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 19 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $22,998 in their early career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California Riverside