College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography in the Far Western US Region

35 Ranked Colleges
1,872 Degrees Awarded
$13,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 8,526 people earned their degree in geography and cartography, making the major the 110th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geography and cartography graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,604 and had an average of $22,522 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,872 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,962 and $17,083 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 35 colleges that offer a degree in geography and cartography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography and cartography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Geography Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 81 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for far western us region geography students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. 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 & Cartography Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for Far Western US Region Geography students per year to attend CSUN.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at California State University - Northridge

3
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, San Francisco State University landed the #3 spot on the list. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $14,459 for far western us region geography students.

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 & Cartography at San Francisco State University

4
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, California

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, American River College landed the #4 spot on the list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

American River also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend American River is $5,561 for far western us region geography students.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at American River College

5
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Sonoma State University landed the #5 spot on the 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 #13 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,563 for far western us region geography students per year to attend SSU.

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 full report on Geography & Cartography at SSU

6

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students list, Sac State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

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 & Cartography at California State University - Sacramento

7

University of Nevada - Reno landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $14,930 for far western us region geography students per year to attend University of Nevada - Reno.

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 more about Geography & Cartography at University of Nevada - Reno

8

California State University - East Bay landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Hayward, 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.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at California State University - East Bay

9

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for far western us region geography students 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 & Cartography at Chico State

10

California State University - Fullerton landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for far western us region geography students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full Cal State Fullerton Geography & Cartography Report

11
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 89%.

Full SDSU Geography & Cartography Report

12
University of Redlands crest
University of Redlands
Redlands, California

University of Redlands did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. University of Redlands is a small school located in Redlands, California that handed out 22 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students list, University of Redlands has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $26,098 for far western us region geography students.

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 more about Geography & Cartography at University of Redlands

13

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 24 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for far western us region geography students.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at Cal Poly Pomona

14

California State University - Fresno ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for far western us region geography students.

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 & Cartography at Fresno State

15
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 23 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

Full Humboldt State University Geography & Cartography Report

16

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 9 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for far western us region geography students per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Geography & Cartography Report

17

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $15,768 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 & Cartography at University of California - Davis

18
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Central Washington University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CWU is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 21 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students list, CWU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Washington University is $16,514 for Far Western US Region Geography students.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at Central Washington University

19
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $17,070 for far western us region geography students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Western Washington University Geography & Cartography Report

20
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 the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for Far Western US Region Geography students per year to attend San Jose State University.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at San Jose State

21

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for far western us region geography 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Geography & Cartography Report

22

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,302 for Far Western US Region Geography students per year to attend Cal State LA.

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 full report on Geography & Cartography at California State University - Los Angeles

23

University of Hawaii at Hilo landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This small school is located in Hilo, Hawaii, and it awarded 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,503 for Far Western US Region Geography students per year to attend University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at University of Hawaii at Hilo

24
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and it awarded 135 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Oregon State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State is $21,508 for far western us region geography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oregon State University Geography & Cartography Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Portland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Portland State University is a large school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 50 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Portland State University also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $12,498 for Far Western US Region Geography students per year to attend Portland State University.

The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Portland State University

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options