2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
21
Ranked Colleges
994
Degrees Awarded
$7,400
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 994 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,206 and $19,545 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geological and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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 geological and earth sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. 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 following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 100 ’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 Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,233 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 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University
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. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $-539 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Caltech. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology
Out of the 21 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 - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $8,450 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara 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%.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSD has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 UCSD Geological & Earth Sciences Report
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 located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA
With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & 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.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Davis
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $6,663 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Long Beach
California State University - Fullerton landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 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 89%. 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fullerton
University of California - Irvine came in at #11 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 Irvine, California, and it awarded 70 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,540 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine
University of California - Riverside came in at #12 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 Riverside, California, and it awarded 30 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Riverside
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 65 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #14, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Geological & Earth Sciences Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. 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%. 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Stan State 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.
Stan State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Stan State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. 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 #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge 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%.
Full CSUN Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 39 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for California Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
With a ranking of #20, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Merced is $10,363 for california geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Merced
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