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2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

20 Ranked Colleges
786 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geography in California (With Aid)

1

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,023 for california geography students with aid per year to attend UCLA.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Geography at UCLA

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 58 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best Geography Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Geography 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%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Geography Report

3

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,302 for California Geography students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

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 Geography Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 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 $8,523 for California Geography students with aid per year to attend CSUN.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Geography Report

5

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geography 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. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,252 for california geography students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geography at UCSB

6

California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 39 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,003 for california geography students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Geography at Cal State Fullerton

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 37 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for california geography students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography at California State University - Sacramento

8

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 6 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,230 for California Geography students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.

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 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Geography Report

9

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 9 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $6,566 for California Geography students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Geography at Stan State

10

California State University - East Bay landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large school located in Hayward, California that handed out 9 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for california geography students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 more about Geography at California State University - East Bay

11

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 took the #19 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california geography students with aid.

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 CSUDH

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 44 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, SDSU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Geography students with aid.

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 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%.

Read more about Geography at SDSU

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

CSUSB also made our “Best Geography Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $8,107 for california geography students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.

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 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Geography Report

14
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 41 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for california geography students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Geography at San Francisco State University

15

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,304 for California Geography students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 87%.

Read full report on Geography at Cal Poly Pomona

16

California State University - Chico ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geography Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,218 for California Geography students with aid per year to attend California State University - Chico.

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%.

Read more about Geography at Chico State

17
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, SSU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,563 for california geography students with aid per year to attend Sonoma State University.

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%.

Read more about Geography at SSU

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for california geography students with aid per year to attend San Jose State University.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geography at San Jose State University

19
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california geography students with aid.

Full Humboldt State University Geography Report

20
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, California

East Los Angeles College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. East Los Angeles College is a large public school situated in Monterey Park, California. It awarded 6 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geography students with aid list, East Los Angeles College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Los Angeles College is $11,028 for california geography students with aid.

Read full report on Geography at East Los Angeles College

Notes and References

References

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