2023 Best Computer Science Schools in California
Finding the Best Computer Science School for You
Computer Science is the most popular major in California with 13,148 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.
It's not easy to decide which computer science program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Computer Science Degree Search has created the Best Computer Science Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 41 schools in California to see which ones offered the best programs for computer science students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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2023 Best Computer Science Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Best Computer Science Colleges.
Top 10 Best Computer Science Schools
Our 2023 rankings named California Institute of Technology the best school in California for computer science students. Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Caltech is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Computer Science at California Institute of Technology Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvey Mudd College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, compsci graduates from Harvey Mudd College carry an average student debtload of $21,250.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.
The average amount in student loans that compsci majors at Stanford take out is $13,645.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Pomona College is a great place for computer science students. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for computer science students. UC Berkeley is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.
CompSci majors at UC Berkeley take out an average of $14,203 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $386.
Full Computer Science at University of California - Berkeley Report
University of California - San Diego came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, compsci graduates from UCSD take out $17,575 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $308, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Computer Science at University of California - San Diego Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for computer science students. It came in at #7 on the list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.
CompSci majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out an average of $20,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $464.
University of Southern California came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
CompSci majors at USC take out an average of $20,178 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $453.
Full Computer Science at University of Southern California Report
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs. UCSB is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara.
The average amount in student loans that compsci majors at UCSB take out is $17,338.
Full Computer Science at University of California - Santa Barbara Report
University of California - Irvine came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking. UC Irvine is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Irvine.
The average amount in student loans that compsci majors at UC Irvine take out is $16,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $177.
Full Computer Science at University of California - Irvine Report
Best Computer Science Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Computer Science Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
State | Degrees Awarded |
---|---|
Washington | 1,551 |
Oregon | 1,282 |
Nevada | 152 |
Hawaii | 152 |
Alaska | 31 |
More Computer Science Rankings in California
Computer Science Related Rankings by Major
Computer Science is one of 10 different types of computer science programs to choose from.
CompSci Concentrations
Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Computer Science | 59,565 |
Majors Similar to CompSci
Related Major | Annual Graduates |
---|---|
Computer Information Systems | 88,434 |
Information Technology | 40,555 |
Information Science | 18,325 |
Computer Systems Networking | 14,700 |
Computer Software & Applications | 14,336 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Negative Space.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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