State guide · Reviewed August 14, 2026

67 Schools with Geology, GIS, and Earth Science Programs in California, 2026 Guide

171 programs at 67 institutions across California, covering geology, GIS and geospatial science, environmental science, surveying, and planning. Every listing links to the institution's own page.

Quick answer

California has 67 institutions in our database offering 171 relevant programs, 24 with a documented online option. Programs are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Redlands, and other locations. The state geological survey is the California Geological Survey.

What is available in California

Programs are grouped below by subject and by credential level so you can see the shape of what the state offers before you look at individual institutions. GIS and geospatial programs are usually the largest category, which reflects the job market rather than any preference of ours.

By subject

Program categories

GIS and geospatial104
Environmental23
Geology and earth science12
Surveying and geomatics9
Planning23
Remote sensing2
By credential

Degree levels offered

Certificate67
Associate26
Bachelor37
Master35
Doctorate1

Programs in California, ranked

One entry per institution, ordered by Program Quality Index score. Where an institution offers several relevant programs, we show its strongest. Full scoring detail is on the methodology page.

Graduate certificate · Online available

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology

University of Southern California

Department
Spatial Sciences Institute
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate

Advanced Certificate in Geographic Information Science

San Jose State University

Department
Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Location
San Jose, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in GIScience, Specialization in Applied GIS

San Diego State University

Department
Department of Geography
Location
San Diego, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

MBA with Location Analytics Concentration

University of Redlands

Department
Department of Geographic Information Science
Location
Redlands, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

San Francisco State University

Department
Department of Geography & Environment
Location
San Francisco, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, Geospatial Sciences Option

California State University-Los Angeles

Department
Department of Geosciences and Environment
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Certificate in GIS and Geospatial Technology

University of California-Los Angeles

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate of Science in Applied Geographic Information Systems, Civil Engineering Specialization

Rio Hondo College

Department
Department of Industrial, Environmental, and Transportation Technology
Location
Whittier, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems

Palomar College

Department
Department of Earth, Space, and Environmental Sciences
Location
San Marcos, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Concentration in Geospatial Techniques

California State University-Long Beach

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Long Beach, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate · Online available

Associate in Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology

Foothill College

Department
Department of Geographic Information Systems Technology
Location
Los Altos Hills, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Geospatial Certificate of Study

Humboldt State University

Department
Department of Environmental Science & Management
Location
Arcata, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies: Geographic Information Science

California State University-Northridge

Department
Department of Urban Studies & Planning
Location
Northridge, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering - Geospatial Engineering option

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Department
Department of Civil Engineering
Location
Pomona, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems

California State University-East Bay

Department
Department of Anthropology, Geography, and Environmental Studies
Location
Hayward, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate in Science in Geospatial Engineering & Technologies

East Los Angeles College

Department
Department of Engineering and Technologies
Location
Monterey Park, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Program

AS in Land Surveying

College of the Canyons

Department
School of Personal and Professional Learning
Location
Santa Clarita, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

BS in Geomatics Engineering

California State University-Fresno

Department
Department of Geography and City & Regional Planning
Location
Fresno, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Program

AS in Surveying Technology

Santa Rosa Junior College

Department
Engineering and Applied Technology
Location
Santa Rosa, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

Mount St. Mary's College

Department
Department of Sociology
Location
Los Angeles, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Specialized Certificate in Geographic Information Systems

University of California-San Diego

Department
Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Location
La Jolla, California
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Geospatial Representation Emphasis

University of California-Berkeley

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Berkeley, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Program

AAS in Surveying Technology

Cuyamaca College

Department
Environmental and Applied Technology
Location
El Cajon, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Master

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

University of California-Irvine

Department
School of Social Ecology
Location
Irvine, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in City and Regional Planning

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Department
City and Regional Planning Department
Location
San Luis Obispo, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate of Science in Geographic Information Systems

San Diego Mesa College

Department
School of Business & Technology
Location
San Diego, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate in Field Data Mining and Geographic Information Systems

Cosumnes River College

Department
Department of Science, Math, and Engineering
Location
Sacramento, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Certificate

Certificate of Achievement in Geographic Information Systems

Cypress College

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Cypress, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate in Science in Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning System

Diablo Valley College

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Pleasant Hill, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Associate

Associate in Science in Geographic Information Science

Mt. San Jacinto Community College District

Department
Science, Math, & Engineering Pathway
Location
San Jacinto, California
Delivery
On campus
Visit official program page

Every program we track in California

The ranking above shows one entry per institution. This is the complete list: all 171 programs in our database for California, grouped by institution, each linked to the official program page. If a school offers six relevant credentials, all six are here.

University of Southern California (18 programs)

Spatial Sciences Institute · Los Angeles, California

San Jose State University (11 programs)

Department of Urban & Regional Planning · San Jose, California

San Diego State University (9 programs)

Department of Geography · San Diego, California

University of Redlands (6 programs)

Department of Geographic Information Science · Redlands, California

East Los Angeles College (5 programs)

Department of Engineering and Technologies · Monterey Park, California

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (4 programs)

Department of Civil Engineering · Pomona, California

California State University-Long Beach (4 programs)

Department of Geography · Long Beach, California

California State University-Los Angeles (4 programs)

Department of Geosciences and Environment · Los Angeles, California

Foothill College (4 programs)

Department of Geographic Information Systems Technology · Los Altos Hills, California

Rio Hondo College (4 programs)

Department of Industrial, Environmental, and Transportation Technology · Whittier, California

San Francisco State University (4 programs)

Department of Geography & Environment · San Francisco, California

California State University-Fresno (3 programs)

Department of Geography and City & Regional Planning · Fresno, California

California State University-Northridge (3 programs)

Department of Urban Studies & Planning · Northridge, California

College of the Canyons (3 programs)

School of Personal and Professional Learning · Santa Clarita, California

Cypress College (3 programs)

Department of Geography · Cypress, California

Diablo Valley College (3 programs)

Department of Geography · Pleasant Hill, California

Mt. San Jacinto Community College District (3 programs)

Science, Math, & Engineering Pathway · San Jacinto, California

Palomar College (3 programs)

Department of Earth, Space, and Environmental Sciences · San Marcos, California

Pasadena City College (3 programs)

STEM Career Community · Pasadena, California

Southwestern College (3 programs)

Department of Physical Sciences · Chula Vista, California

University of California-Berkeley (3 programs)

Department of Geography · Berkeley, California

University of California-Los Angeles (3 programs)

Department of Geography · Los Angeles, California

American River College (2 programs)

Geosciences Department · Sacramento, California

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (2 programs)

City and Regional Planning Department · San Luis Obispo, California

California State University-Chico (2 programs)

Department of Geography & Planning · Chico, California

California State University-Dominguez Hills (2 programs)

Department of Earth Science & Geography · Carson, California

California State University-East Bay (2 programs)

Department of Anthropology, Geography, and Environmental Studies · Hayward, California

California State University-Fullerton (2 programs)

Department of Geography & the Environment · Fullerton, California

Folsom Lake College (2 programs)

Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics · Folsom, California

Humboldt State University (2 programs)

Department of Environmental Science & Management · Arcata, California

Long Beach City College (2 programs)

Department of Geography · Long Beach, California

Los Angeles Pierce College (2 programs)

Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math · Woodland Hills, California

Mount St. Mary's College (2 programs)

Department of Sociology · Los Angeles, California

Mt. San Antonio College (2 programs)

Department of Geography · Walnut, California

Reedley College (2 programs)

STEM · Reedley, California

San Diego Mesa College (2 programs)

School of Business & Technology · San Diego, California

Santa Monica College (2 programs)

Department of Earth Science · Santa Monica, California

Santa Rosa Junior College (2 programs)

Engineering and Applied Technology · Santa Rosa, California

Shasta College (2 programs)

Department of Earth & Environment · Redding, California

Sonoma State University (2 programs)

Department of Geography, Environment, and Planning · Rohnert Park, California

University of California-San Diego (2 programs)

Department of Urban Studies and Planning · La Jolla, California

Ventura College (2 programs)

Department of Geography · Ventura, California

Antelope Valley College (1 program)

Department of Geosciences · Lancaster, California

Butte College (1 program)

Department of Sociocultural Studies · Oroville, California

California State University-Sacramento (1 program)

Department of Geography · Sacramento, California

California State University-San Bernardino (1 program)

Department of Geography & Environmental Studies · San Bernardino, California

California State University-Stanislaus (1 program)

Department of Geography & Environmental Resources · Turlock, California

Chabot College (1 program)

Department of Social Sciences · Hayward, California

City College of San Francisco (1 program)

Earth Sciences Department · San Francisco, California

College of the Desert (1 program)

Department of Natural Resources · Palm Desert, California

Contra Costa College (1 program)

Department of Geography · San Pablo, California

Cosumnes River College (1 program)

Department of Science, Math, and Engineering · Sacramento, California

Cuyamaca College (1 program)

Environmental and Applied Technology · El Cajon, California

Fullerton College (1 program)

Geography Department · Fullerton, California

Loma Linda University (1 program)

Health Geoinformatics Program · Loma Linda, California

Ohlone Community College (1 program)

Department of Social Sciences · Fremont, California

Saddleback College (1 program)

Geography and GIS Department · Mission Viejo, California

San Bernardino Valley College (1 program)

Department of Geographic Information Systems · San Bernardino, California

San Diego City College (1 program)

Department of Physical Sciences · San Diego, California

Santa Barbara City College (1 program)

Department of Geography · Santa Barbara, California

Santiago Canyon College (1 program)

STEM · Orange, California

Sierra College (1 program)

Department of Earth & Environment · Rocklin, California

UMass Global (1 program)

Business and Professional Studies · Irvine, California

University of California-Davis (1 program)

Department of Human Ecology · Davis, California

University of California-Irvine (1 program)

School of Social Ecology · Irvine, California

University of California-Santa Barbara (1 program)

Department of Geography · Santa Barbara, California

West Valley College (1 program)

School of Professional Studies · Saratoga, California

Online programs California students can consider

Studying in California does not restrict you to institutions based in California. Distance study has changed what is reachable, and we track 307 programs nationally with institution-documented online delivery. The listings below are based outside California and are worth comparing against the resident programs above.

Our position

The assumption that you must move to study earth science is out of date, and it costs people careers they would have been good at. California has geology in it. You can study the coursework remotely and do your field work where you already live, provided the program has a real field component and its curriculum satisfies your licensure board. Those two conditions matter. Your zip code does not.

Verify enrollment eligibility before you apply. State authorization rules govern which institutions may enroll students in which states, they differ by program, and they change. We list these as options to investigate, not as confirmation that any of them can currently enroll a California resident. Ask the institution directly and get the answer in writing.

Graduate certificate · Online available

Cadastral and Land Surveying Undergraduate Certificate

University of Wyoming · Wyoming

Department
Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center
Location
Laramie, Wyoming
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science

Arizona State University · Arizona

Department
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Location
Tempe, Arizona
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology - Geospatial Data Science Emphasis

University of Arizona · Arizona

Department
School of Geography, Development, and Environment
Location
Tucson, Arizona
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor of Arts in Geography - Environmental Geosciences Specialization

University of Florida · Florida

Department
Geography Department
Location
Gainesville, Florida
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Bachelor · Online available

Bachelor's in Surveying and Geomatics Engineering Technology

Idaho State University · Idaho

Department
College of Technology
Location
Pocatello, Idaho
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Certificate in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Data Analytics

University of Connecticut · Connecticut

Department
Department of Geography
Location
Groton, Connecticut | Stamford, Connecticut | Storrs, Connecticut | Waterbury, Connecticut
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Graduate certificate · Online available

Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics

Michigan Technological University · Michigan

Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Location
Houghton, Michigan
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Geographic Information Science and Technology

Ohio State University-Main Campus · Ohio

Department
City and Regional Planning Section
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

MS in Geospatial Systems Engineering with Geospatial Data Science and Analytics Track

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Texas

Department
Department of Computing Sciences
Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Science in Spatial Information and Data Science

University of North Georgia · Georgia

Department
Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis
Location
Dahlonega, Georgia
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Master · Online available

Master of Geoscience, Geographic Information Science and Technology Track

Texas A & M University-College Station · Texas

Department
Department of Geography
Location
College Station, Texas
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

Certificate · Online available

Certificate in CyberGIS and Geospatial Data Science

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Illinois

Department
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Location
Champaign, Illinois
Delivery
Online option documented
Visit official program page

See all online programs, ranked →

The California Geological Survey

Every state maintains a geological survey that maps and characterizes its geology, groundwater, and mineral resources. For a student, the survey matters for two reasons. It publishes the geological data you will use throughout your career in the state, and it is a direct employer of geologists, hydrogeologists, and GIS staff.

BLS reported a May 2024 median annual wage of $86,780 for geoscientists in state government, against $116,470 in federal government and $83,420 in consulting. State survey work generally trades some compensation for stability, benefits, and considerably more control over your schedule than consulting offers.

Visit the California Geological Survey

Licensure for geologists practicing in California

Geologist licensure is granted by state boards, not nationally, and the rules differ meaningfully between states. Some states license geologists and require it for work submitted to regulators; others do not license the profession at all. Where licensure exists, it generally follows the same structure: a qualifying bachelor degree, the ASBOG Fundamentals examination, several years of supervised qualifying experience, and the Practice examination.

Two pieces of advice apply regardless of which state you are in. Take the Fundamentals exam near graduation while the coursework is fresh, and confirm before you accept your first job that you will work under a licensed geologist who can supervise qualifying experience. Both are covered in our step by step licensure guide.

Where California graduates work

Employment in earth science concentrates in four places in almost every state: environmental consulting firms, state and federal agencies, utilities and water districts, and extractive or energy industry operations where the geology supports them. Local government GIS departments are a fifth and consistently overlooked category.

Nationally, environmental scientists account for about 90,300 jobs with 8,500 annual openings, against roughly 25,100 jobs and 2,000 openings for geoscientists. Whatever the local industry mix, the environmental and geospatial side of the field does most of the hiring, and a California job search should reflect that.

Frequently asked questions

How many geology and GIS programs are there in California?

Our database currently tracks 171 programs at 67 institutions in California, spanning geology, GIS and geospatial science, environmental science, surveying, and planning. 24 have a documented online option.

Do I need a license to work as a geologist in California?

Geologist licensure is determined state by state. Requirements, and whether the state licenses geologists at all, are set by the state board rather than nationally. Check the board directly before assuming either way, and start tracking qualifying experience from your first professional job.

What does the California Geological Survey do?

The California Geological Survey maps and characterizes the state's geology, water, and mineral resources, and publishes data that professionals in the state rely on daily. State surveys are also meaningful employers, and BLS reports a May 2024 median of $86,780 for geoscientists in state government.

Explore more

Careers

Earth science career guides

Federal wage data and honest pathway advice for twelve roles.

Browse careers → Licensure

Professional Geologist licensure

The credential that changes what you are permitted to sign.

 All states

Programs in other states

Compare program availability across all 50 states and DC.
Verify before you decide: program availability, tuition, delivery format, and admission requirements change. Each listing links to the institution's own page, which is the authoritative source. Licensure requirements must be confirmed with the relevant state board.