California · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Best Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…

Institutions
82
offering CIP 40.06
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
941
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,804
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
10
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,248
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$119,100
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Pomona Public · Bachelor's degree
$49,4062468%$19,375
2California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree
$48,4893086%$15,000
3University of California - Davis
Davis Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,4623186%$16,416
4University of California - Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,3628375%$20,833
5San Diego State University
San Diego Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,3511476%$21,500
6University of California - Irvine
Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,8047087%$15,000
7California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,5093070%$15,125
8University of California - Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,7595883%$21,800
9California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt
Arcata Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,4762749%$20,526
10University of California - Riverside
Riverside Public · Bachelor's degree
$22,9982276%

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.2%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$99,240
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionScienceSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWriting

What Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in California

Jobs in California
3,150
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$119,100
median $111,400
Best-paying metro
$138,470
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$119,100 avg · 3,150 jobs
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$143,790 avg · 1,700 jobs
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
$145,410 avg · 1,580 jobs
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$78,300 avg · 830 jobs
Hydrologists
$119,540 avg · 670 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in California.

Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California State Polytechnic University - Pomona tops the list at $49,406. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in California is $119,100 (median $111,400), across about 3,150 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program?+

The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?+

The national job outlook is about +3.2% growth with around 2,000 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).

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in other statesIowaSouth CarolinaUtahVirginiaMissouriNew JerseyColoradoWyoming

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