2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in California
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 108 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geography & cartography schools.
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography & cartography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for geography & cartography in California. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #3 place for geography & cartography. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
American River College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for geography & cartography. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Palomar College earned the #7 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $8,250. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Foothill College placed #9 among the best values for geography & cartography. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #10 for value in geography & cartography this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Long Beach earned the #11 position for value in geography & cartography this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $52,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #12 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $48,227. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Santa Barbara City College placed #13 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,826 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $24,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Humboldt State University landed the #16 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $17,412 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $27,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #17 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $37,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Sonoma State University earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $40,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #19 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $13,969. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Davis placed #20 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Columbia College Sonora earned the #21 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,293 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego State University earned the #22 position for value in geography & cartography this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #23 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,063. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
