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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

20 Ranked Colleges
706 Degrees Awarded
$13,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geology and earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in California (With Aid)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for california geology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, 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 undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Stanford Geology & Earth Sciences Report

2

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California Geology students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA

3

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, CSULB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for california geology 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%. 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 CSULB Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 48 students 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. It costs about $16,252 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend UCSB.

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

Full UCSB Geology & Earth Sciences Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for california geology students with aid.

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

6

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fullerton

7

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Geology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Geology & Earth Sciences Report

8

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for California Geology students with aid.

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

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UCLA

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,768 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend UC Davis.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full UC Davis Geology & Earth Sciences Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 70 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Geology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.

Full University of California - Irvine Geology & Earth Sciences Report

11

With a ranking of #11, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,304 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

12

University of California - Riverside landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for California Geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 - Riverside

13

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for california geology 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at Sac State

14

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california geology students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

15
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for california geology students with aid.

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%. 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 San Diego State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees 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 $6,566 for california geology students with aid.

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

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Stan State

17

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for California Geology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Northridge

18

University of California - Merced landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 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 estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $13,691 for California Geology students with aid.

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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Merced

19
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california geology students with aid.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University

20

With a ranking of #20, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students with aid list, Caltech has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $26,542 for california geology students with aid.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 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 94%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology

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