Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Geological & Earth Sciences

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
218 Degrees Awarded
$25,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 8,918 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 84th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $35,533 and had an average of $23,531 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 1,138 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,160 and $19,278 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 218 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in geological and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geological and earth sciences 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 geological and earth sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k 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 36 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

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

#11 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

#6

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

University of California - Berkeley landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley

#17 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Geological & Earth Sciences Report

California State University - Fresno ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 16 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Fresno State

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Davis

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCR

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#16

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 10 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#10 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SDSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

#19

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#12 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Chico landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Chico State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Chico State

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay also took the #19 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State East Bay Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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 Kelvinsong.

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You