2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
21
Ranked Colleges
994
Degrees Awarded
$13,600
Avg Net Price*
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 Getting Aid” 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.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 in California For Those Getting Aid”.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in California (With Aid)
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 Getting Aid list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for California Geology students with aid.
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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.
Full Stanford University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $3,302 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend Cal State LA.
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 Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 18 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for california geology students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend UCSD.
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 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $16,252 for california geology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSB
With a ranking of #6, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend UC Berkeley.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california geology students with aid.
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.
Full Cal State Fullerton Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for california geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles
University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend UC Davis.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, 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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Davis
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for California Geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #11, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for california geology students with aid.
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 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona
University of California - Riverside came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 30 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for california geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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.
Full UCR Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California Geology students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Sacramento
San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Geology students with aid.
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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,930 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 85%, 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 - Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #16, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,566 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend Stan State.
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 Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Northridge ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
CSUN also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $8,523 for california geology students with aid per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $13,691 for California Geology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Merced
Humboldt State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,956 for california geology students with aid per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Full Humboldt State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 39 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, 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 94%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
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