2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 8,936 people earned their degree in geography and cartography, making the major the 107th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, geography and cartography graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $36,126 and had an average of $23,577 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 1,304 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,818 and $24,713 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 656 geography and cartography 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 For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in geography and cartography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography and cartography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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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 for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 19 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 152 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $8,553 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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 Geography & Cartography at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $1,379 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 & Cartography at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $4,291 for California Bachelor’s Degree 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 student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Cal State Fullerton
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 98 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,316 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 56 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,364 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #6, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $8,870 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
California State University - Fresno came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.
Fresno State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $3,264 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fresno State.
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 4.7% 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 California State University - Fresno Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k 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 #9 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $5,945 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 & Cartography at California State University - Northridge
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 12 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stan State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $3,410 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
California State University - Sacramento landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 46 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
Sac State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $6,819 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.
CSUSB also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $5,077 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full California State University - San Bernardino Geography & Cartography Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geography students in 2019-2020.
Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $8,596 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
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 & Cartography at Cal Poly Pomona
University of Southern California came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s geography degrees to qualified students.
USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USC is $14,668 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
San Francisco State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,123 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 8 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,940 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at San Jose State University
California State University - East Bay landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Cal State East Bay also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $8,036 for California Bachelor’s Degree Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full California State University - East Bay Geography & Cartography Report
California State University - Chico ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 21 bachelors’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.
Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,260 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.
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%.
Sonoma State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sonoma State University is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SSU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,263 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sonoma State University.
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%.
Humboldt State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools for a Bachelor’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geography degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,263 for california bachelor’s degree geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Humboldt State University
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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.
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- Credit for the banner image above goes to Couleur.
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