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2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California

18 Ranked Colleges
497 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor's in California

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 Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 5,476 people earned their degree in geography, making the major the 144th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 854 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 497 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,907 and $21,546 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Geography Schools

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 Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geography in California

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $9,622 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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 more about Geography at California State University - Long Beach

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 85 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students list, UCLA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $14,279 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Geography Report

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $15,884 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, 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 students.

Read more about Geography at University of California - Santa Barbara

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,414 for california bachelor’s degree geography students per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The low student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 CSUN

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Sacramento. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,979 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 - Sacramento

#6

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#4 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,788 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students per year to attend SDSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SDSU Geography Report

#5 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $12,734 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geography at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 9 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $5,464 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Fresno State Geography Report

#7 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 37 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $7,991 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, 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.

Read more about Geography at Cal State Fullerton

#10

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California
#10 in overall quality

Sonoma State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.

SSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,478 for california bachelor’s degree geography students per year to attend SSU.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Sonoma State University Geography Report

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Chico ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,017 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students per year to attend California State University - Chico.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Geography at Chico State

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 39 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,113 for california bachelor’s degree geography students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

Read full report on Geography at San Francisco State University

#13

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#9 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students list, San Jose State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $14,928 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geography at San Jose State

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 12 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Stan State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,019 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

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

#15

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#17 in overall quality

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. California State University - San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $7,342 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Geography Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #16. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $11,116 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

Read more about Geography at Cal State East Bay

#13 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California ranking, coming in at #17. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $2,768 for california bachelor’s degree geography students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Cal State LA

#18

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 20 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,692 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students.

Read more about Geography at Humboldt State University

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Couleur.

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