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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

35 Ranked Colleges
1,872 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 8,526 people earned their degree in geography and cartography, making the major the 110th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geography and cartography graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,604 and had an average of $22,522 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,872 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,962 and $17,083 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 35 colleges that offer a degree in geography and cartography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geography and cartography programs and 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 geography and cartography program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The geography 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 Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. 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 Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 155 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,037 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Geography & Cartography at UCLA

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 145 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $5,194 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 93%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

3

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #3 spot on the list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 119 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $10,568 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.

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 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UCSB

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Geography & Cartography at CSULB

5
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern California landed the #5 spot on the list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 63 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,287 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at USC

6

California State University - Northridge landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,266 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.

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 Geography & Cartography at CSUN

7

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Cal State LA

8

California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,590 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

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

Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Fullerton

9

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Davis.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UC Davis Geography & Cartography Report

10

California State University - Sacramento ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 more about Geography & Cartography at Sac State

11
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, California

American River College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American River is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 20 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

American River also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $4,848 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American River.

Full American River Geography & Cartography Report

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 44 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 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%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at San Diego State University

13

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 9 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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 Geography & Cartography at California State University - Stanislaus

14

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at California State University - Fresno

15
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UO is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 56 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UO also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oregon is $13,666 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Oregon

16

California State University - East Bay landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at Cal State East Bay

17

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Geography & Cartography at Cal Poly Pomona

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #18, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $10,705 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU Geography & Cartography Report

19

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,657 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUDH.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Dominguez Hills Geography & Cartography Report

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geography & Cartography at CSUSB

21
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Central Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Central Washington University is a public institution located in Ellensburg, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Washington University is $10,796 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Central Washington University Geography & Cartography Report

22
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

WWU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $9,979 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Geography & Cartography at Western Washington University

23

University of Nevada - Reno landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 23 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,795 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nevada - Reno.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNR Geography & Cartography Report

24

California State University - Chico came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,754 for Far Western US Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chico State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Geography & Cartography at California State University - Chico

25
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 45 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.

SSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SSU is $12,803 for far western us region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Sonoma State University

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