Best Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
7
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$20,701
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$31,348
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Fullerton
Grad rate: 69.3% |
+$323,913 | $62,570 | $16,767 | $15,125 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
California State University-Sacramento
Grad rate: 55.1% |
+$200,654 | $57,588 | $22,714 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of California-Davis
Grad rate: 85.7% |
+$16,090 | $51,526 | $38,067 | $16,416 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of California-Irvine
Grad rate: 86.3% |
-$25,634 | $48,955 | $36,121 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of California-Santa Cruz
Grad rate: 75.7% |
-$36,260 | $49,323 | $38,649 | $20,833 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of California-Berkeley
Grad rate: 93.5% |
-$96,752 | $45,704 | $42,708 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Grad rate: 46.1% |
-$237,098 | $36,413 | $24,412 | $20,526 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Degrees by State
Browse Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.