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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Geography & Cartography Schools in California

16 Colleges in the United States
712 Geography & Cartography Degrees Awarded
$48,660 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography & Cartography programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geography & cartography students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geography & Cartography in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geography & cartography education in California.

Top Schools in Geography & Cartography

1

University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geography & cartography. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of California Davis

2

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography & cartography, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 66 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $37,398. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 61 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $61,063 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography & cartography, ranking #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 70 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $36,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,969. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

California State University Sacramento came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 25 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Read more about the geography & cartography program at California State University Sacramento

6

San Diego State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 55 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $38,648. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from San Diego State University

7

California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 67 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $52,865. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for California State University Long Beach

8

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

9
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 27 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Sonoma State University earn around $40,614 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Sonoma State University

10

California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 29 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Get the full geography & cartography details for California State University Northridge

11
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 16 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from American River College

12

California State University Fullerton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 22 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from California State University Fullerton

13
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College landed the #13 spot for geography & cartography this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. There were roughly 36 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Foothill College

14

California State University Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for geography & cartography this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 17 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,727. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. Read more about the geography & cartography program at California State University Los Angeles

15

San Francisco State University placed #15 among the best geography & cartography schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 23 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $24,875 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Read more about the geography & cartography program at San Francisco State University

16
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 11 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Get the full geography & cartography details for Santa Barbara City College

17
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College placed #17 among the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Saddleback College earn around $15,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. See the full geography & cartography program report for Saddleback College

18

Pasadena City College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 32 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Pasadena City College

19

San Diego Mesa College earned the #19 position for geography & cartography this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. San Diego Mesa College awarded about 14 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $29,852 in their early career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for San Diego Mesa College

20
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #20 among the best geography & cartography schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Palomar College awarded about 29 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Palomar College

21

Humboldt State University placed #21 among the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Humboldt State University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 13 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $27,355 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,412 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Humboldt State University

22

City College Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 25 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $100,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,332. Get the full geography & cartography details for City College Of San Francisco

23

Columbia College Sonora earned the #23 position for geography & cartography this year. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. About 19 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Columbia College Sonora in the most recent year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,293. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Columbia College Sonora

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 108 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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