2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $0-$30k) in California
24
Ranked Colleges
1,251
Degrees Awarded
$8,900
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Geography & Cartography is the 110th most popular major in the country with 8,526 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 California, there were 1,251 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,079 and $14,221 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree in geography and cartography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography and cartography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $0-$30k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 155 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCLA Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 119 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSB Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #3 spot on the list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 81 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,663 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 63 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, 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 91%.
Full University of Southern California Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUN has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
California State University - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,887 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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%.
Full Cal State LA Geography & Cartography Report
California State University - Fullerton came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 39 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,590 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #8, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Davis.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Geography & Cartography at UC Davis
California State University - Sacramento came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 37 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $8,163 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
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
American River College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at American River, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American River College is $4,848 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full American River Geography & Cartography Report
San Diego State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 44 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for California 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 SDSU
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 9 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,122 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
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 Geography & Cartography at Stan State
California State University - Fresno landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 6 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 Geography & Cartography at California State University - Fresno
California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,975 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State East Bay.
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%.
Full Cal State East Bay Geography & Cartography Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for California 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 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Cal Poly Pomona
San Francisco State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 43 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $10,705 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at SFSU
California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
CSUSB also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,985 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSB.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full CSUSB Geography & Cartography Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $11,754 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Chico
Sonoma State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Rohnert Park, California. It awarded 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSU is $12,803 for California 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 more about Geography & Cartography at Sonoma State University
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $12,158 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 more about Geography & Cartography at San Jose State
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 23 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $11,473 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Humboldt State University
East Los Angeles College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,646 for california geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Los Angeles College.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at East Los Angeles College
University of Redlands came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Redlands, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Redlands also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Redlands is $20,409 for California Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 University of Redlands
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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
- *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 Couleur.
