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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in California

26 Ranked Colleges
212 Degrees Awarded
$42,953 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Geology Major in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2021-2022, 8,124 people earned their degree in geological & earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In , geological & earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $38,869 and had an average of $22,278 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 981 geological & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,206 and $17,549 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 212 geological & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $63,735 and $51,649 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in geological & earth sciences. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their geological & earth sciences program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

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 “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California”.

Top 26 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 14 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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 99%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Caltech

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 52 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Bakersfield. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. California State University - Bakersfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full CSUB Geological & Earth Sciences Report

5

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Fresno State

6

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #6. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

7

University of California - Irvine ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 15 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Cal State East Bay Geological & Earth Sciences Report

9

University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Davis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

10
Naval Postgraduate School crest
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California

With a ranking of #10, Naval Postgraduate School did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Naval Postgraduate School is a small public school situated in Monterey, California. It awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Naval Postgraduate School

11

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

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

12

California State University - Sacramento ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 4 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Sac State

13

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2021-2022.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

14
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #14. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at San Francisco State University

15

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #15. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

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 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

16

With a ranking of #16, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #17. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at SDSU

18

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full California State University - Chico Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

20

California State University - Northridge ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at CSUN

21

University of California - Berkeley landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full UC Berkeley Geological & Earth Sciences Report

22
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #22, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

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 0.9% 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at San Jose State University

23

With a ranking of #23, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, 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 88%.

Full UCR Geological & Earth Sciences Report

24

California State University - Fullerton came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

25
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2021-2022.

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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at USC

25
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California

Loma Linda University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in California list. This small school is located in Loma Linda, California, and it awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Loma Linda University

Notes and References

References

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