California · Geography and Environmental Studies

Best colleges for Geography and Environmental Studies in California

Ranked by graduates a year

University of California-Los Angeles, San Diego State University and California State Polytechnic University - Pomona award the most Geography and Environmental Studies degrees and certificates in California: 22, 12 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 California colleges offer Geography and Environmental Studies and award 42 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Geography and Environmental Studies program is a multidisciplinary field that explores the intricate relationship between humans and the environment. This program is designed for students interested in understanding complex…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 30.44
States offered
37
with a program page
Degrees / yr
42
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
79%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geographers
$114,310
BLS OEWS May 2025

3 institutions offering Geography and Environmental Studies in California

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public
—2293%——
2San Diego State University
San Diego Public
—1276%——
3California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public
—868%——

Colleges awarding the most Geography and Environmental Studies degrees in California

Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles Public
22Not reported
2San Diego State University
San Diego Public
12Not reported
3California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public
8Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Geographers (SOC 19-3092).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-3.1%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$97,200
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

WritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Geographers earn in California

Jobs in California
80
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$114,310
median $114,460
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$112,360 avg · 12,490 jobs
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$67,750 avg · 6,010 jobs
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$103,820 avg · 2,970 jobs
Conservation Scientists
$88,030 avg · 2,110 jobs
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$116,410 avg · 300 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geography and Environmental Studies programs in California.

Which California colleges award the most Geography and Environmental Studies degrees?+

University of California-Los Angeles (22 graduates a year), San Diego State University (12 graduates a year) and California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (8 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Environmental Studies degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 California colleges offer Geography and Environmental Studies.

How much do Geographers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Geographers in California is $114,310 (median $114,460), across about 80 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Geography and Environmental Studies program?+

The Geography and Environmental Studies program is a multidisciplinary field that explores the intricate relationship between humans and the environment. This program is designed for students interested in understanding complex…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop writing, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Geographers?+

The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Geography and Environmental Studies in other statesAlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFlorida

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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