2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for geological & 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 104 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Stanford University

2

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,489 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 70 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of California Irvine

4

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #4. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $43,462. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,416 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Davis

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 37 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Los Angeles

6

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 32 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $173,344 in their early career. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology

7

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Sonoma State University

8

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. 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 83 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $43,362 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,833. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Santa Cruz

9

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 94 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California San Diego

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 29 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at California State University Sacramento

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & 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. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 30 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $35,509 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from California State University Fullerton

13

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #13 for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 58 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $30,759 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of California Santa Barbara

14

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #14 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 25 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for California State University Long Beach

15

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #15 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of California Merced awarded about 16 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,318. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Merced

16

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Humboldt State University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Humboldt State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $29,476 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Humboldt State University

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #17 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 22 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $22,998 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Riverside