2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
20
Ranked Colleges
786
Degrees Awarded
$8,000
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Geography is the 159th most popular major in the country with 4,954 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across California, there were 786 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The geography 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 Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 81 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,037 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Geography Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UCSB also made our “Best Geography Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 91%.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Geography 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 Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California Geography 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%.
Full California State University - Long Beach Geography Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #4 spot on the list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 44 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,266 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k 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%.
Full CSUN Geography Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,887 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.
Read more about Geography at California State University - Los Angeles
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California Geography 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 Geography at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read more about Geography at California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #8, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography at San Diego State University
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Stan State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $4,122 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Stan State Geography Report
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 6 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geography at California State University - Fresno
With a ranking of #11, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 41 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFSU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at San Francisco State University
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $9,975 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State East Bay Geography Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 24 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $10,349 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geography at Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. CSUDH is located in Carson, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
CSUDH also made our “Best Geography Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $2,657 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at California State University - Dominguez Hills
With a ranking of #15, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
CSUSB also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,985 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 CSUSB Geography Report
California State University - Chico landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,754 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at Chico State
Sonoma State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSU is $12,803 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Sonoma State University Geography Report
San Jose State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $12,158 for california geography 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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography at San Jose State University
Humboldt State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 23 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Humboldt State University Geography Report
East Los Angeles College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Los Angeles College is $10,646 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geography at East Los Angeles College
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