2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California
20
Ranked Colleges
706
Degrees Awarded
$9,000
Avg Net Price*
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 Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 6,024 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 706 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology and earth sciences 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 geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The geology 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 Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 64 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,581 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford University.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.
Full Stanford University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Caltech also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,190 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California Institute of Technology.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCLA
Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $2,701 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.
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 Cal State LA Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,176 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSD.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCSD
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 91%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCSB
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,573 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.
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 Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Davis ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Davis
University of California - Irvine landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 70 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $8,449 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine
California State University - Fullerton landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal State Fullerton
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,193 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCR.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Riverside
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,992 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #15, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Geology & Earth Sciences Report
San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $11,400 for California Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Merced
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University
