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Best Value Geography and Cartography Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

UC Berkeley graduates in Geography and Cartography earn $46,087 annually, nearly double the $21,508 earned by Cal State Chico graduates, highlighting a massive earnings gap across California's 20 programs. The state's tech sector and aerospace industry create substantial demand for spatial analysis professionals, with companies like SpaceX requiring cartographic expertise for mission planning. Net costs range from $4,113 at Cal State Los Angeles to $31,927 at USC, yet graduation rates tell a different story. UC Berkeley achieves a 92.9% graduation rate compared to Humboldt's 46.6%, suggesting that higher-cost programs often deliver better completion outcomes. California's Cal Grant program covers tuition for qualifying students at public universities, making schools like Fresno State particularly attractive with 95.4% acceptance rates and $39,009 median earnings. The geographic diversity spans from coastal Santa Barbara to Central Valley locations like Turlock, offering students different living costs and regional job markets.
22
Programs
$3,659 – $31,927
Net Price Range
$31,738
Avg. Program Earnings
64.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,113 $33,993 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
2 $6,480 $39,009 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
3 $5,646 $28,309 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $7,599 $28,366 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
5 $8,931 $27,874 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
6 $14,979 $46,087 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
7 $10,512 $31,133 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
8 $14,013 $37,208 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
9 $13,825 $33,993 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
10 $12,882 $29,685 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
11 $13,167 $23,693 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
12 $14,838 $21,508 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
13 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
14 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
15 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
16 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
17 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
18 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
19 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
20 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
21 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
22 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $24,579 difference in earnings between the highest and lowest paying programs?

UC Berkeley graduates earn $46,087 while Cal State Chico graduates earn $21,508, reflecting differences in research opportunities and industry connections. Berkeley's proximity to Silicon Valley provides access to tech companies requiring geographic information systems expertise. The 92.9% graduation rate at Berkeley versus 63.6% at Chico also suggests stronger academic support and career placement services.

How do California's public universities compare in net cost for Geography programs?

Net costs at public universities range from $4,113 at Cal State Los Angeles to $14,979 at UC Berkeley. Cal State schools generally cost $5,000-$15,000 annually while UC campuses average $13,000-$15,000. Despite higher costs, UC schools show significantly better graduation rates, with UCLA and Berkeley both exceeding 90% compared to Cal State averages around 55-60%.

Is USC worth the $31,927 net cost compared to public alternatives?

USC charges $31,927 annually but lacks reported earnings data for Geography graduates, making value assessment difficult. Cal State Fresno costs just $6,480 and produces graduates earning $39,009, potentially offering better return on investment. USC's 92% graduation rate matches UC Berkeley's performance, but without earnings data, prospective students cannot calculate true value proposition.

Where do California Geography graduates find the most job opportunities?

California's aerospace industry employs cartographers for satellite imagery and navigation systems, particularly around Los Angeles where SpaceX operates. Silicon Valley tech companies require GIS specialists for mapping applications and location services. The state's large agricultural sector in the Central Valley also creates demand for precision agriculture mapping, benefiting graduates from nearby programs like Cal State Fresno.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in California Geography programs?

The most selective programs often show better outcomes, with UCLA accepting 8.57% and achieving 92.7% graduation rates. However, Cal State Fresno accepts 95.43% of applicants while still producing graduates earning $39,009. Humboldt accepts 98.18% but shows a concerning 46.6% graduation rate, suggesting that extremely high acceptance may indicate retention challenges rather than accessibility.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.