California has 40 schools with verified geography or geographic information systems (GIS) credentials. They span 6 University of California campuses (one through its extension division), 20 California State University (CSU) campuses, 3 private universities, and 11 community colleges with GIS certificates or associate degrees. Online options are concentrated at USC, the University of Redlands, a few community colleges, and UC extension programs. Nearly every UC and CSU geography degree is campus-based.
Quick picks for California
- Lowest resident bachelor’s tuition: California State University campuses, $6,838 per year.
- Lowest-cost GIS credential: community college certificates at $46 per unit, from $552 total at Cuesta College.
- Online degrees: University of Redlands (Master of GIS, M.S. in GIS), USC (M.S. in Spatial Data Science), and Foothill College (A.S. in GIS Technology).
- One-year GIS master’s: CSU Long Beach ($21,000 total) and San José State.
- Ph.D. programs: UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis.
Rates are resident tuition before fees. See the tuition comparison for nonresident rates and fees.
California Geography and GIS Programs at a Glance
Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates at Universities
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Geography B.A. in Geography/Environmental Studies | Campus (Los Angeles) | Geography B.A. major: 15 lower-division + 44 upper-division units | GIS sequence from cartography through GIS programming |
| UC Santa Barbara | B.A. in Geography (optional GIScience emphasis) Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physical Geography (optional Ocean Science emphasis) | Campus (Santa Barbara) | 40–51 upper-division units, by degree | GIScience emphasis with remote sensing, GIS, and quantitative tracks |
| UC Berkeley | B.A. in Geography | Campus (Berkeley) | 3 lower-division + 8 upper-division courses | Optional emphasis, including Geospatial Representation |
| CSU Long Beach | B.A. in Geography B.S. in Geography GIScience Certificate (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) | Campus (Long Beach) | B.A. major: 39 B.S.: 120 total Certificate: 23+ | B.S. geospatial pathway with spatial data science and remote sensing |
| CSU Northridge | B.S. in Geographic Information Science B.S. in Geography and Environmental Studies | Campus (Northridge) | 120 (GIS major: 57) | Spatial SQL and Python courses |
| CSU Fullerton | B.A. in Geography GIS Certificate (undergraduate) Geospatial Technologies Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Fullerton) | B.A.: 120 Certificates: 12 / 15 | Two short GIS certificates |
| Cal State LA | B.A. in Geography Two undergraduate GIS certificates Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS | Campus (Los Angeles) | B.A.: 120 (major 58–59) Post-baccalaureate: 12 | GIS programming and database courses |
| CSU Dominguez Hills | B.A. in Geography Geotechniques Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (Carson) | B.A. major: 34, plus a required minor Certificate: 12 | Minor required with the major |
| CSU San Bernardino | B.A. in Geography (GIS concentration available) Certificate in GIS (undergraduate) | Campus (San Bernardino) | B.A.: 120 (major 42–45) Certificate: 22–23 | Experiential learning required in the B.A. |
| Cal Poly Pomona | B.S. in Geography (Geospatial Analysis or Environmental Studies option) | Face-to-face (Pomona) | 120 | Senior project capstone |
| San Diego State | B.A. and B.S. in Geography (GIScience and Technology emphasis available) GIScience Certificate (undergraduate) | Campus (San Diego) | B.S.: 41+ upper-division geography units Certificate: 27 | Impacted major; certificate pairs geography and computer science |
| CSU San Marcos | B.A. in Geography GIS Certificate (Extended Learning) | Campus (San Marcos) | Certificate: 12 | Internship can serve as the culminating experience |
| San Francisco State | B.A. in Geography | Campus (San Francisco) | Major: 39 | Capstone seminar |
| San José State | B.A. in Geography Advanced Certificate in GIS (post-baccalaureate) | Campus (San José) | B.A.: 120 (major 46–48) Certificate: 16–17 | GIS-centered B.A. with field methods |
| Sacramento State | B.A. in Geography (four concentrations, including GIScience) Certificate in GIS (for enrolled Sac State students) | Campus (Sacramento) | B.A.: 120 (major 46) Certificate: 12 | Metropolitan Area Planning concentration |
| Chico State | B.A. in Geography Geospatial Technology Certificate (undergraduate) | On campus (Chico) | B.A.: 120 (major 46) Certificate: 18 | Certificate can be earned on its own |
| Fresno State | B.A. in Geography GIS Certificate of Special Study | Campus (Fresno) | B.A.: 120 (major 36) Certificate: 12 | Certificate open to working professionals |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | B.A. in Geography B.S. in Geospatial Science and Technology Four 9-unit geospatial certificates | Campus (Arcata) | B.S. major: 69–70 Certificates: 9 each | Stackable certificates in GIS, remote sensing, and cartography |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | B.S. in Anthropology and Geography | Campus (San Luis Obispo) | 120 semester units | Internship or study abroad required |
| Cal State East Bay | B.S. in Geography GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate | Face-to-face (Hayward) | Major: 44–45 Certificate: 15–16 | Drone (UAS) course and field experiences |
| Sonoma State | B.A. in Environmental Studies, Geography, and Planning B.S. in Environmental Science, Geography and Management | Campus (Rohnert Park) | 120 (B.A. major: 55) | Geospatial Analysis focus area |
| Stanislaus State | B.S. in Geography and Environmental Resources GIS Certificate | Campus (Turlock) | B.S.: 120 Certificate: 12 | Certificate awarded only after a bachelor’s degree |
| CSU Monterey Bay | B.A. in Social Sciences, GIS Concentration | Campus (Seaside) | Concentration: 13–15 | Includes crime analysis and mapping |
| USC | B.S. in Geodesign B.S. in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence | Campus (Los Angeles) | HSGI: 128 minimum | Practicum capstones with real clients |
| University of Redlands | B.S. in GIS B.A. in GIS | Campus (Redlands) | Not verified | Capstone project; accelerated B.A.-to-M.S. route |
| University of San Diego | GIS Certificate (undergraduate, for USD students) | Campus (San Diego) | 17–20 | GIS capstone |
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
| School | Credentials | Format | Credits | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography (M.A. earned on the way to the Ph.D.) | Campus | M.A.: 36 units | GRE optional |
| UC Santa Barbara | M.A. in Geography Ph.D. in Geography Joint Ph.D. with San Diego State | Campus | M.A.: 34 (thesis) or 46 (exam) | GRE not required |
| UC Berkeley | Ph.D. in Geography | Campus | Normative time: 6 years | No master’s admission |
| UC Davis | M.A. and Ph.D. in Geography (Graduate Group) | Campus | Not verified | Interdisciplinary graduate group |
| UC Santa Cruz | M.A. in Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Technologies, Applications and Research (GISTAR) | Not stated | 66 credits (catalog plan) | Two-year GIS master’s ending in a capstone |
| CSU Long Beach | Master of Science (M.S.) in Geographic Information Science M.A. in Geography | M.S.: in residence, evenings and Saturdays, some synchronous online courses | 30 each | One-year cohort M.S. |
| CSU Northridge | M.S. in Geographic Information Science M.A. in Geography | Campus | 30 each | Thesis or graduate project |
| CSU Fullerton | M.A. in Geography | Campus | 30 | Thesis or project |
| San Diego State | M.A. in Geography M.S. in Geography (GIScience or Watershed Science) Joint Ph.D. with UC Santa Barbara | Campus | 30+ | Thesis-based master’s degrees |
| San Francisco State | M.S. in Geographic Information Science M.A. in Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning | Campus | 30 each | Research project or thesis |
| San José State | M.S. in Geographic Information Science | Face-to-face | 30 | One-year fall cohort |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | M.S. in Natural Resources (Environmental Science and Management) | Campus | 30 | Geospatial-focused thesis |
| Stanislaus State | M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Geospatial Analysis of Human-Environmental Change) | Campus | 36 | Thesis, project, or exam |
| USC | M.S. in GIS and Technology (GIST) M.S. in Spatial Data Science M.S. in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence Four graduate certificates Doctor of Geospatial Leadership | Online or Los Angeles | M.S. GIST: 28 Certificates: 16 Doctorate: 60 (40 with a related master’s) | Widest set of online GIS graduate programs in the state |
| University of Redlands | M.S. in GIS Master of GIS Executive Master of GIS Graduate Certificate in GIS | Online (synchronous) or campus | 36 / 30 / 28 / 14+ | Major Individual Project; 400-hour internship in the Master of GIS |
Community College GIS Credentials
| College | Credential | Units | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foothill College Los Altos Hills | Associate in Science (A.S.) in GIS Technology GIS Technology Certificates of Achievement I–III | A.S.: 90 quarter units Certificates: 31–53.5 quarter units | A.S. is on Foothill’s list of degrees that can be earned fully online |
| Southwestern College Chula Vista | Geospatial Technology Technician Certificate of Achievement | 18 | Core courses 100% online; internship on campus or with an employer |
| Cuesta College San Luis Obispo | GIS Certificate of Achievement | 12 | GIS courses fully online and asynchronous |
| Shasta College Redding | GIS Certificate GIS A.S. | 19 A.S.: 60 | Courses may be offered online |
| American River College Sacramento | GIS A.S. GIS Certificate | A.S.: 60 (major 31) Certificate: 28 | Not stated; work experience required |
| Cosumnes River College Sacramento | Field Data Mapping and GIS Certificate | 12 | Not stated |
| Mt. San Antonio College Walnut | GIS Certificate GIS A.S. | 20 major units | Not stated; capstone portfolio |
| San Diego Mesa College San Diego | GIS Technician Certificate of Achievement GIS A.S. | 17–19 A.S.: 60 | Not stated |
| Palomar College San Marcos | GIS Certificate of Achievement Advanced GIS A.S. and Certificate | 14 (basic certificate) | Not stated |
| Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill | GIS/GPS Certificate of Achievement and A.S. | 27 major units | Day and evening courses |
| Pasadena City College Pasadena | GIS and Technology A.S. and Certificate of Achievement | 18 | Not stated |
Credentials were verified against 2026–27 catalogs. Units are semester units unless noted. Minors are not listed. More than 70 community colleges also offer the Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer; see community colleges.
Related Urban Planning Programs
These planning degrees include GIS coursework but are not geography or GIS degrees.
- University of California: UCLA Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP); UC Berkeley Master of City Planning; UC Irvine B.A. in Urban Studies, Planning, and Policy (optional GIS specialization) and MURP; UC San Diego B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning and MURP.
- California State University: San José State Master of Urban Planning; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo B.S. and Master of City and Regional Planning; Cal Poly Pomona B.S. and MURP in Urban and Regional Planning; Fresno State B.S. in City and Regional Planning; CSU Northridge B.A. in Urban Studies and Planning and Master of Urban Planning; San Diego State Master of City Planning.
The San José State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo planning programs are accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. See our urban planning guide.
Online Geography and GIS Programs in California
An online course is not the same as an online degree. The programs below have an official statement that the full credential can be completed online. The next list covers programs that only offer some coursework online.
Verified fully online options
- USC: the M.S. in Spatial Data Science and the graduate certificates in Geospatial Intelligence, Geospatial Leadership, and Remote Sensing for Earth Observation are offered online as well as in Los Angeles.
- University of Redlands: the Master of GIS has an online option, and its 400-hour internship is completed outside the classroom. The M.S. in GIS, the Graduate Certificate in GIS, and three 12-credit business-school GIS certificates are offered online in a synchronous (live) format.
- Foothill College: the A.S. in GIS Technology is on Foothill’s list of degrees that can be earned fully online. Foothill notes that course timing can make finishing a degree fully online challenging.
- Cuesta College: GIS Certificate of Achievement; Cuesta says its GIS courses are fully online and asynchronous.
- UC extension certificates (non-degree): UCLA Extension’s GIS and Geospatial Technology Certificate is 100% online with no required live meetings. UC San Diego Extended Studies offers an online 15-unit GIS certificate.
Online coursework, but not a verified fully online program
- USC M.S. in GIST, M.S. in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence, and GIST graduate certificate: coursework is online, but USC also describes a week-long field excursion on Catalina Island. Confirm attendance requirements before applying.
- Redlands Executive Master of GIS: online and synchronous, with two in-person residencies.
- Southwestern College Geospatial Technology Technician Certificate: core courses are 100% online, but the internship takes place on campus or with an employer.
- CSU Long Beach M.S. in GIScience: designed as an in-residence program, with some courses offered online in real time.
- Non-credit options: San Francisco State’s GIS professional development certificate runs online with live meetings and awards continuing education units, not college credit. San Diego State Global Campus offers a self-paced online Enterprise GIS professional certificate.
No UC or CSU campus offers a geography or GIS degree that it describes as fully online. For programs based in other states, see online geography schools.
California School Summaries
University of California
UC campuses offer research-focused geography degrees. Undergraduate tuition is set by entering class and held flat for up to six years. See tuition.
UCLA
UCLA offers a B.A. in Geography and a B.A. in Geography/Environmental Studies. The Geography B.A. requires 11 upper-division geography courses. GIS courses include Cartography, Intermediate and Advanced GIS, Satellite Remote Sensing, and GIS Programming and Development.
Graduate study leads to the Ph.D. in Geography. UCLA says the M.A. “exists here as a foundation for the Ph.D.” and does not offer a stand-alone master’s. Applicants need a faculty adviser, three letters, and a 3.3 GPA for the M.A. track; the GRE is optional. Students can receive up to 12 quarters of teaching assistant support.
Sources: Geography B.A.; graduate catalog; graduate admissions.
UC Santa Barbara
UCSB offers a B.A. in Geography with an optional Geographic Information Science emphasis, and a B.S. in Physical Geography with an optional Ocean Science emphasis. The GIScience emphasis draws on concentrations in remote sensing, GIS and cartography, and quantitative techniques.
The M.A. in Geography takes a thesis (34 units) or an exam (46 units); the exam route is terminal. The Ph.D. requires a faculty sponsor and a 3.25 GPA, and the GRE is not required. Some admits receive four- to six-year fellowship guarantees. UCSB and San Diego State also run a joint Ph.D.
Sources: Geography catalog; graduate admissions; graduate support.
UC Berkeley
Berkeley’s B.A. in Geography requires courses across research areas, one of which is Geospatial Representation, and offers an honors thesis. GIS courses include Cartographic Representation, Earth System Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Science.
The department admits only to the Ph.D., not to a master’s. The GRE is optional, and the department describes multi-year funding packages that combine fellowships, stipends, and teaching.
Sources: Geography B.A.; graduate funding.
UC Davis
UC Davis has no undergraduate geography major. Its interdisciplinary Graduate Group in Geography awards an M.A. and a Ph.D., with core courses in geographical concepts, quantitative geography, and socio-spatial analysis.
Sources: Geography M.A. catalog; Ph.D. catalog.
UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz offers a two-year M.A. in GISTAR (Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Technologies, Applications and Research) through Environmental Studies. The degree ends in a capstone project. It covers three levels of GIS, cartography and visualization, remote sensing, and GIS programming. Admission is for fall only, and the GRE is not required.
Sources: GISTAR M.A. catalog.
UC San Diego Extended Studies
UC San Diego has no geography degree, but its Extended Studies division offers an online, 15-unit GIS Specialized Certificate. The five courses cover GIS fundamentals, spatial analysis, web GIS, and 3-D data, and end in a capstone project. Most students finish within 15 months. UCLA Extension offers a similar 100% online certificate (see online options).
Sources: UCSD GIS certificate; UCLA Extension GIS certificate.
California State University
Twenty CSU campuses offer geography or GIS credentials. All share the same systemwide tuition but charge different campus fees. None describes a credit-bearing geography or GIS program as fully online.
CSU Long Beach
CSULB offers a B.A. and a B.S. in Geography. The B.S. has urban, environmental, and geospatial pathways, and the geospatial pathway requires Spatial Data Science and Remote Sensing. A GIScience certificate is open to undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students.
The M.S. in Geographic Information Science is a one-year, 30-unit cohort program run with CSULB’s continuing education college. Classes meet on weekday evenings and Saturdays, and the program ends in an applied research project. The GRE is not required. A thesis-based M.A. in Geography is also offered.
Sources: Geography B.S.; M.S. GIScience catalog; M.S. GIScience program page.
CSU Northridge
CSUN offers a B.S. in Geographic Information Science with Spatial SQL, Geopython, Remote Sensing, and Spatial Analysis courses, plus a B.S. in Geography and Environmental Studies.
The M.S. in Geographic Information Science covers web GIS, GIS automation, spatial statistics, and spatial databases. It ends in a thesis or graduate project. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, two letters, and a writing sample; the catalog lists no GRE requirement. An M.A. in Geography is also offered.
Sources: GIScience B.S.; GIScience M.S..
CSU Fullerton
Fullerton offers a B.A. in Geography, including an Environmental Analysis concentration, plus 12-unit GIS and 15-unit Geospatial Technologies certificates. The 30-unit M.A. in Geography ends in a thesis or project. It requires a 3.0 GPA and two letters, with no GRE.
Sources: Geography B.A.; Geography M.A..
Cal State LA
Cal State LA’s B.A. in Geography includes GIS applications, remote sensing, and spatial modeling, and ends in a senior research seminar. Two undergraduate GIS certificates and a 12-unit Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS are also offered.
Sources: Geography B.A.; post-baccalaureate GIS certificate.
CSU Dominguez Hills
CSUDH’s B.A. in Geography requires a minor in another field, and includes GIS and numerical methods. Remote sensing and cartography are electives. The 12-unit Geotechniques Certificate draws on the same courses.
Sources: Geography B.A.; Geotechniques Certificate.
CSU San Bernardino
CSUSB’s B.A. in Geography offers a GIS concentration with web GIS, environmental GIS, and remote sensing courses. The degree requires experiential learning and a senior seminar. A 22–23 unit Certificate in GIS is also available.
Sources: Geography B.A.; GIS certificate.
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly Pomona’s B.S. in Geography offers a Geospatial Analysis option, which includes GIS programming, advanced GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial data analysis, and an Environmental Studies option. Both end in a senior project. The university says its programs are face-to-face unless noted.
Sources: Geography B.S., Geospatial Analysis.
San Diego State
SDSU offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in Geography with a GIScience and Technology emphasis; the major is impacted. A 27-unit GIScience certificate combines geography and computer science courses.
Graduate options include a thesis-based M.A. in Geography and an M.S. in Geography with GIScience or Watershed Science concentrations. SDSU also runs a joint Ph.D. with UC Santa Barbara, which requires at least a year on each campus. On the GRE, the catalog lists a minimum score for the master’s degrees, but the department says scores are not required, so confirm with SDSU.
Sources: B.S. GIScience and Technology; joint Ph.D.; master’s admissions.
CSU San Marcos
CSUSM’s B.A. in Geography requires second-language proficiency and ends in a senior seminar or internship. Its 12-unit GIS Certificate, offered through Extended Learning, covers spatial statistics, geovisualization, remote sensing, and GIS programming.
Sources: Geography B.A.; GIS certificate.
San Francisco State
SF State offers a B.A. in Geography with a capstone seminar. At the graduate level, the 30-unit M.S. in Geographic Information Science requires a B or better in introductory GIS. It includes remote sensing, programming, and an internship or directed reading. The 30-unit M.A. in Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning ends in a project or thesis. Both master’s degrees require a 3.25 GPA and two letters, and the department does not require the GRE.
Sources: M.S. GIScience; M.A. Geography, Resource Management, and Environmental Planning.
San José State
SJSU’s B.A. in Geography has a strong GIS component and ends in a senior seminar. The M.S. in Geographic Information Science is a one-year, 30-unit fall cohort of about 20 students. Its “face to face, project-based courses” cover open-source GIS, Python, web GIS, and remote sensing. A 16–17 unit post-baccalaureate GIS certificate is also offered.
Sources: Geography B.A.; M.S. GIScience.
Sacramento State
Sac State’s B.A. in Geography has four concentrations: Geographic Information Science, Human Geography, Metropolitan Area Planning, and Physical Geography. The GIScience concentration adds Advanced GIS, Programming for GIS, and GIS Data Acquisition. The 12-unit GIS certificate is open only to degree-seeking Sac State students.
Sources: Geography programs.
Chico State
Chico’s on-campus B.A. in Geography offers Environmental Studies and Landscape Studies options. The 18-unit Geospatial Technology Certificate can be earned on its own and includes GIS modeling and remote sensing. A Land Use and Environmental Planning certificate is also available.
Sources: Geography and Environmental Studies.
Fresno State
Fresno State’s B.A. in Geography has a 36-unit major. Its 12-unit GIS Certificate of Special Study, open to students and working professionals, covers spatial statistics, GIS analysis, and remote sensing.
Sources: Geography and City and Regional Planning.
Cal Poly Humboldt
Humboldt offers a B.A. in Geography and a B.S. in Geospatial Science and Technology. The B.S. has environmental and social science concentrations and includes remote sensing, geospatial programming, and mobile mapping. Four stackable 9-unit certificates cover geospatial basics, GIScience, remote sensing, and cartography. The M.S. in Natural Resources (Environmental Science and Management concentration) supports geospatial theses, and the GRE is not required.
Sources: Geography B.A.; Natural Resources M.S..
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly SLO’s geography degree is the B.S. in Anthropology and Geography. It requires an internship or study abroad and a senior project, and includes GIS and remote sensing courses. Cal Poly switched to semesters in fall 2026.
Sources: Anthropology and Geography B.S..
Cal State East Bay
East Bay’s face-to-face B.S. in Geography requires field experiences and a capstone seminar. Its courses include GIS, remote sensing, and drones. The 15–16 unit GIS and Remote Sensing Certificate uses the same courses.
Sources: Geography B.S..
Sonoma State
Sonoma offers a B.A. in Environmental Studies, Geography, and Planning with a Geospatial Analysis focus area, and a B.S. in Environmental Science, Geography and Management. Both require a 400-level capstone.
Sources: Environmental Studies, Geography, and Planning B.A..
Stanislaus State
Stanislaus offers a B.S. in Geography and Environmental Resources with field methods and advanced GIS. Its 12-unit GIS Certificate is awarded only after a bachelor’s degree and is not eligible for financial aid. The 36-unit M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Geospatial Analysis of Human-Environmental Change) requires a GRE writing score of 3.5.
Sources: Geography and Environmental Resources B.S.; Interdisciplinary Studies M.S..
CSU Monterey Bay
CSUMB has no geography degree, but its B.A. in Social Sciences offers a GIS concentration with GIS applications for social science and business, plus crime analysis and mapping.
Sources: Social Sciences B.A., GIS Concentration.
Private Universities
USC
USC’s Spatial Sciences Institute offers undergraduate B.S. degrees in Geodesign and Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence, both ending in practicum capstones.
The 28-unit M.S. in GIST is offered online and in Los Angeles. It has tracks in spatial data management, spatial computing, and spatial analytics, and ends in a thesis. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, a writing sample, and two letters; the GRE is not required. USC also offers 16-unit graduate certificates and an M.S. in Spatial Data Science with its engineering school. A new Doctor of Geospatial Leadership enrolls its first cohort in summer 2027, and the Ph.D. in Population, Health and Place comes with five years of funding.
Sources: Spatial Sciences Institute catalogue; M.S. GIST; online M.S. GIST.
University of Redlands
Redlands offers a B.S. and B.A. in GIS on campus, plus an accelerated route into its master’s degrees. The 36-credit M.S. in GIS ends in a Major Individual Project with an oral defense. It meets one evening a week, in person or online, over 12–24 months.
The 30-credit Master of GIS combines coursework with a 400-hour internship. Residential students finish in about eight months, and the part-time online option takes four semesters. A 28-credit Executive Master of GIS, a 14-credit graduate certificate, and three 12-credit business-school GIS certificates are also offered. The GRE is optional.
Sources: M.S. GIS catalog; Master of GIS catalog; M.S. GIS program page.
University of San Diego
USD offers a 17–20 unit undergraduate GIS Certificate for its own students, ending in a GIS capstone. Courses include The Power of Maps, Introduction to GIS, Advanced GIS, and Introduction to Remote Sensing.
Sources: GIS certificate.
California Community Colleges
More than 70 community colleges offer the Associate in Arts in Geography for Transfer (AA-T), a 60-unit degree. The CSU says students who meet its minimum eligibility are “guaranteed priority admission to a CSU campus, though not necessarily to a particular campus or major.”
The 11 colleges in the community college table also offer GIS certificates of achievement or A.S. degrees. Foothill, Southwestern, and Cuesta state that their GIS courses can be taken online. American River College requires work experience, and Mt. San Antonio ends its program with a capstone portfolio. Students who qualify for the California College Promise Grant can have the enrollment fee waived.
Sources: CSU transfer degrees; Foothill GIS Technology; Southwestern certificate; Cuesta GIS certificate; American River GIS; Mt. SAC GIS.
Schools not included
- Stanford, Caltech, and Pomona College offer geology and earth science degrees, not geography or GIS credentials.
- UC Riverside, UC Merced, Santa Clara, and Chapman offer GIS minors or courses only. CSU Bakersfield and CSU Channel Islands have no geography or GIS credential in their 2026–27 catalogs.
- Not accepting students: San José State’s M.A. in Geography and B.S. in GIScience. Fresno State’s online GIS Certificate of Advanced Study is on hiatus, and Cal Poly Humboldt’s online geospatial certificate is suspended.
- CSU Northridge’s GIST certificate through its Tseng College is offered only to employer-sponsored cohorts.
Tuition Comparison
Estimated tuition is our arithmetic from each published rate and the stated basis. Each figure is labeled “per year” or “total.” None includes fees, housing, books, or other costs.
Undergraduate and associate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California Bachelor’s degrees (all campuses) | $14,202 per year (resident, students entering 2026–27) Plus $39,270 per year Nonresident Supplemental Tuition | Two semesters or three quarters | $14,202 resident per year $53,472 nonresident per year | $1,386 per year Student Services Fee, plus campus fees per year: UCLA $842; UCSB $2,085; UC Davis $2,489.13; UC Berkeley $2,626 |
| California State University Bachelor’s degrees (all campuses) | $6,838 per year at 6.1+ units per semester (resident) Plus $471 per unit (nonresident) | 30 units per year | $6,838 resident per year $20,968 nonresident per year | Campus fees per year, for example: Cal State LA $1,094.08; CSUN $1,490; CSU Fullerton $1,677.16; CSULB $1,910; San José State $2,715; San Diego State $2,942 |
| USC Bachelor’s degrees | $37,692 per semester (12–18 units), same for residents and nonresidents | Two semesters | $75,384 per year | $1,952 per year in fees |
| University of Redlands Bachelor’s degrees | $63,790 per year (fall and spring) | One academic year | $63,790 per year | $350 associated student fee and $100 wellness fee per year; $300 new student fee |
| University of San Diego Bachelor’s degree with GIS certificate | $64,100 per year | One academic year | $64,100 per year | $1,099 per year in mandatory fees |
| California Community Colleges A.S. or AA-T (semester colleges) | $46 per unit (California resident) Nonresident tuition varies by district, for example $377 per unit plus the $46 fee (San Diego Mesa, Palomar) or $475 per unit including the fee (American River) | 60 units | $2,760 resident total $25,380 total (San Diego Mesa nonresident) $28,500 total (American River nonresident) | Health fee of about $20–$28 per term and a $2 student representation fee, varying by college |
| Community college GIS certificates (semester colleges) | $46 per unit (California resident) | Cuesta 12 units; Southwestern 18 units; American River 28 units | Cuesta: $552 total Southwestern: $828 total American River: $1,288 total | Same college fees as above |
| Foothill College GIS Technology A.S. and Certificate I (quarter units) | $31 per quarter unit (California resident) | A.S. 90 quarter units; Certificate I 31 quarter units | A.S.: $2,790 total Certificate I: $961 total | College fees vary |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Graduate tuition
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California Geography M.A. and Ph.D. programs | $13,722 per year (resident) Plus $15,102 per year Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, which drops to $0 after advancing to Ph.D. candidacy | Full-time academic year | $13,722 resident per year $28,824 nonresident per year | $1,344 per year Student Services Fee, plus campus fees per year: UCLA $542; UCSB $1,279.53; UC Berkeley $2,563.50 |
| UC Santa Cruz GISTAR M.A. | UC graduate tuition plus a $2,163 per year professional program fee | Full-time academic year | $15,885 resident per year $30,987 nonresident per year | Student Services Fee and campus fees, as above |
| California State University State-supported master’s degrees | $8,548 per year at 6.1+ units per semester (resident) Plus $471 per unit (nonresident) | 24 units per year (12 per semester) | $8,548 resident per year $19,852 nonresident per year | Campus fees, as in the undergraduate table |
| CSU Long Beach M.S. GIScience (continuing education) | $700 per unit | 30 units | $21,000 total | $20 in program fees |
| USC M.S. GIST, certificates, M.S. Spatial Data Science | $2,539 per unit, same for residents and nonresidents | M.S. GIST 28 units; certificates 16 units; 32-unit M.S. degrees | M.S. GIST: $71,092 total Certificate: $40,624 total 32-unit M.S.: $81,248 total | Student programming fee of $20–$40 per semester; field excursion room and board of $450 and travel where it applies |
| University of Redlands M.S. GIS, Master of GIS, Graduate Certificate | $1,421 per credit | M.S. 36 credits; Master of GIS 30; certificate 14 | M.S. GIS: $51,156 total Master of GIS: $42,630 total Certificate: $19,894 total | Technology fee $150 per term; associated student fee $63 per semester; wellness fee $100 per year; $300 new student fee |
| University of Redlands Executive Master of GIS; business-school GIS certificates | $1,957 per credit (Executive Master) $991 per credit (certificates) | Executive Master 28 credits; certificates 12 credits | Executive Master: $54,796 total Each certificate: $11,892 total | Student service fee $55 per class; wellness fee $100 per year; $300 new student fee |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Extension and self-support certificates
| School and credential | Published rate | Calculation basis | Estimated tuition | Required fees (not included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA Extension GIS and Geospatial Technology Certificate | Estimated program tuition of $9,450 | Five courses | $9,450 total | $200 application fee; about $400 for textbooks and materials |
| UC San Diego Extended Studies GIS Specialized Certificate | $4,205 for the program, including software license and certificate fee | 15 units | $4,205 total | Included |
| CSU San Marcos GIS Certificate (Extended Learning) | $350 per unit (labeled Summer 2026) | 12 units | $4,200 total | $103 Extended Learning fee per term |
Rates are 2026–27 unless the row notes otherwise.
Why some rates do not compare directly
- UC undergraduate tuition is locked by entering class. The rates above are for students starting in 2026–27; continuing students pay their own class’s lower rate.
- CSU tuition is the same at every campus, but campus fees range from about $1,100 to nearly $3,000 per year.
- USC and Redlands charge the same tuition to residents and nonresidents, while UC and CSU add nonresident tuition.
- Community college nonresident tuition is set by each district and is worded differently: some districts include the $46 enrollment fee and others add it.
- UC’s systemwide figures for 2026–27 are labeled “may not be final” by the UC Office of the President.
How to Choose a Geography or GIS Program in California
Broad geography or technical GIS
Most UC and CSU geography degrees cover physical and human geography with a GIS sequence. More technical options include CSUN’s B.S. in GIScience, Humboldt’s B.S. in Geospatial Science and Technology, SDSU’s GIScience emphasis, and USC’s and Redlands’ GIS degrees. Read more about GIScience degrees and geospatial technology.
Starting at a community college
The Geography AA-T gives priority CSU admission, though not to a specific campus. A GIS certificate from a community college costs a few hundred to about $1,300 for California residents. Compare bachelor’s programs nationally.
Master’s or Ph.D.
UCLA and Berkeley admit geography students only for the Ph.D. UCSB, Davis, and several CSUs offer master’s degrees, and one-year GIS master’s cohorts run at CSULB and San José State. Students considering a Ph.D. should check research preparation and admissions requirements. A thesis can help demonstrate research experience. See master’s programs.
Online or campus
Online GIS master’s options are mostly at private universities: USC and Redlands. Most of those use live or recorded online classes, and some require in-person field weeks or residencies. Students who want public tuition online should look at the community college certificates or the UC extension certificates.
Funding
Ph.D. programs at UCLA, UCSB, Berkeley, and USC describe teaching assistantships, fellowships, or multi-year funding packages. Most master’s programs reviewed here do not publish funding details. Stanislaus and Fresno State note that some of their certificates are not eligible for financial aid.
Students open to nearby states can also compare programs in Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada, or browse all state guides.
Sources and Review Date
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Program details come from each school’s 2026–27 catalog or program pages. Tuition comes from each system’s or school’s 2026–27 tuition schedule unless a row notes otherwise.
- University of California: 2026–27 tuition and fee levels (PDF), UCLA cost of attendance, UC Berkeley fee schedule, UCSB cost of attendance, UC Davis campus fees
- California State University: 2026–27 systemwide tuition, CSULB fees, CSUN fees, Cal State LA fees, San José State fees, SDSU fees
- Private universities: USC tuition and fees, Redlands graduate tuition, Redlands undergraduate tuition, USD tuition
- Community colleges: Chancellor’s Office student fee handbook (PDF), Los Rios tuition and fees, San Diego Mesa catalog (PDF)
- Extension programs: UCLA Extension, UC San Diego Extended Studies, CSU San Marcos Extended Learning
Program-level source links appear at the end of each school summary. Programs, rates, and requirements change, so confirm them with each school before applying.