Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of California-Los Angeles leads: its Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates earn a median $79,143 four years after finishing, against the field's $60,190 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | $79,143 | +$18,953 |
| 2 | San Diego State University | $73,647 | +$13,457 |
| 3 | California State University-Sacramento | $73,418 | +$13,228 |
| 4 | University of California-Davis | $73,337 | +$13,147 |
| 5 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $73,305 | +$13,115 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine | $70,820 | +$10,630 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences?
By graduate earnings, University of California-Los Angeles — its Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences bachelor's graduates earn a median $79,143 four years out, the highest of the 6 California programs in the federal file.
What do Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $70,820 to $79,143. The field's national median is $60,190.
Is a Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates earn $11,830/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.