Compare 17 Geochemistry. programs in California. Average earnings: $48,081.
With top graduates earning $68,030, Geochemistry stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $20K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of California-Berkeley first, with Geochemistry graduates earning $68,030. Close behind, UC Davis delivers $67,743 while California State University-Fullerton reaches $65,717. The average across all 17 California programs is $48,081, showing how top performers cluster together regardless of admission selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 3.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, Cal State Fullerton leads with a 10.4% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $68,030
Strong outcomes ($65,717) with 87% acceptance
3.9% payment burden | Excellent
10.4% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $68,030 | 21 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $67,743 | 29 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $65,717 | 38 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Good | |
| #4 | $65,131 | 18 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Good | |
| #5 | $57,317 | 52 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $56,645 | 66 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $52,768 | 36 | $18,000 | Good | $18,257 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $50,856 | 12 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $50,439 | 5 | $14,505 | Excellent | $12,050 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $48,489 | 37 | $18,500 | Good | $35,000 | High | |
| #11 | $42,774 | 6 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $42,682 | 22 | $16,000 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $41,351 | 28 | $15,000 | Good | $25,565 | High | |
| #14 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $33,281 | 24 | $16,705 | Challenging | $27,986 | High |
| #15 | $25,967 | 69 | $13,993 | High | $26,465 | High | |
| #16 | $25,194 | 18 | $14,000 | High | $26,176 | High | |
| #17 | $22,998 | 16 | $17,500 | High | $18,275 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
