2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $30-$48k) in California
24
Ranked Colleges
1,251
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
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 Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
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 California, there were 1,251 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,079 and $14,221 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered 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.
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.
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 $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $30-$48k) in California
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 California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 155 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $2,701 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State LA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Cal State LA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 119 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 1.8% 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%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UCSB
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Long Beach 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 $30-$48k list, CSULB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $7,573 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at CSULB
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,103 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Northridge
California State University - Fullerton landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,821 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Cal State Fullerton
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $11,598 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UC Davis Geography & Cartography Report
American River College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, American River has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American River College is $5,547 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at American River College
University of Southern California landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Southern California Geography & Cartography Report
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Stan State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $4,903 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about Geography & Cartography at Stan State
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.
Full Fresno State Geography & Cartography Report
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Sac State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,055 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Sac State Geography & Cartography Report
San Diego State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Geography & Cartography at SDSU
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUDH has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $3,329 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - San Bernardino 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.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUSB has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, 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 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - East Bay landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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 #15 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,025 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - 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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at California State University - East Bay
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 24 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
San Francisco State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,862 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Francisco State University.
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%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at SFSU
With a ranking of #19, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $13,040 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 California State University - Chico
With a ranking of #20, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.
SSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SSU is $13,983 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 SSU
With a ranking of #21, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $13,378 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at San Jose State University
Humboldt State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Humboldt State University Geography & Cartography Report
East Los Angeles College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. East Los Angeles College is located in Monterey Park, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
East Los Angeles College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Los Angeles College is $10,950 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full East Los Angeles College Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #24, University of Redlands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Redlands, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Redlands has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,360 for California Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Redlands.
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 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.
