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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income Over $110k) in California

21 Ranked Colleges
994 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

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 Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 994 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,206 and $19,545 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered 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.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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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 Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k”.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income Over $110k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

2

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

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 Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 California State University - Fullerton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

4

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

5
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $13,845 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SDSU.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University

6

California State University - Sacramento ranked #6 on this year’s Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make more than $110k list, Sac State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

7

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 75 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Geological & Earth Sciences Report

8

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 49 ’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 Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

9

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,023 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCLA

10

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make more than $110k list, Stan State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $6,566 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

11

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

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%.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Geological & Earth Sciences Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $15,768 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UC Davis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Davis

13

California State University - Northridge landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

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

14

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 70 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine

15

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #15 on this year’s Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california geology students whose families make more than $110k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

16

University of California - Riverside ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 30 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for California Geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Full University of California - Riverside Geological & Earth Sciences Report

17
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 100 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,894 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Stanford University.

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. 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 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

18

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #18 on this year’s Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 65 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University

20

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. UC Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $13,691 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

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

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

21

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Geology Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #21. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $26,542 for california geology students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Caltech

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