2026 Best Computer Science Schools in California
Looking for the best Computer Science degree programs in California? This list ranks 668 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Computer Science Degree analyzed 469 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Computer Science Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than California Institute Of Technology this year in California. Based in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. More on California Institute Of Technology
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Stanford University came in at #2 on this year's Computer Science ranking in California. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Stanford University Computer Science students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read more about Stanford University
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The strong Computer Science programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place in California. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
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Out of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, University Of California San Diego landed the #4 spot. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. The median Computer Science program debt is $17,101. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
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Out of the 469 schools in California in this year's ranking, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Computer Science students take on a median of $19,273 in debt. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
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Asher College landed the #6 spot in California this year. Located in Sacramento, CA, Asher College is a private for-profit institution. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,645. Read more about Asher College
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University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report
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University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
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Loyola Marymount University landed the #9 spot in California this year. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $22,248. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
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San Joaquin Valley College Visalia landed the #10 spot in California this year. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia is a private for-profit school based in Visalia, CA. San Joaquin Valley College Visalia Computer Science students take on a median of $16,957 in debt. Read the full report on San Joaquin Valley College Visalia
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University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
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University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,522. The median Computer Science program debt is $23,935. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
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University Of San Diego came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. University Of San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. University Of San Diego Computer Science students take on a median of $23,795 in debt. Read more about University Of San Diego
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Mti College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Sacramento, CA, Mti College is a private for-profit institution. Typical Computer Science student debt is $10,356. More on Mti College
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California Baptist University landed the #15 spot in California this year. Set in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Read more about California Baptist University
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University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $18,559. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report
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California State University Chico came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Chico, CA, California State University Chico is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Get the full California State University Chico report
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California State University Channel Islands came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Camarillo, CA, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,997. See the full California State University Channel Islands profile
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Academy Of Art University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. Academy Of Art University posts a six-year graduation rate of 34%. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Academy Of Art University Computer Science students take on a median of $33,568 in debt. Get the full Academy Of Art University report
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San Diego State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. San Diego State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $16,417. More on San Diego State University
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University Of California Riverside ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
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San Jose State University landed the #22 spot in California this year. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
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California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school based in Pomona, CA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Read the full report on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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Laurus College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, Laurus College is a private for-profit institution. Laurus College graduates 50% of students within six years. The median Computer Science program debt is $33,595. More on Laurus College
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National University did well this year, earning the #25 position. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $30,426. Get the full National University report
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Chapman University landed the #26 spot in California this year. Set in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. Chapman University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. See the full Chapman University profile
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California Lutheran University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. California Lutheran University graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. California Lutheran University Computer Science students take on a median of $22,727 in debt. See the full California Lutheran University profile
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California State University Long Beach placed #28 among Computer Science schools in California. California State University Long Beach is a public school based in Long Beach, CA. California State University Long Beach posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. California State University Long Beach Computer Science students take on a median of $15,671 in debt. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
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Devry University California placed #29 among Computer Science schools in California. This private for-profit school is set in Ontario, CA. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $45,747 in student loans. See the full Devry University California profile
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California State University Monterey Bay did well this year, earning the #30 position. California State University Monterey Bay is a public school based in Seaside, CA. California State University Monterey Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $14,622. Get the full California State University Monterey Bay report
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California State University Sacramento landed the #31 spot in California this year. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $17,492. Get the full California State University Sacramento report
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University Of Phoenix California ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Ontario, CA, University Of Phoenix California is a private for-profit institution. University Of Phoenix California posts a six-year graduation rate of 22%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. University Of Phoenix California Computer Science students take on a median of $37,432 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Phoenix California
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California State University Northridge came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
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California State University San Marcos landed the #34 spot in California this year. California State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, CA. California State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full California State University San Marcos report
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California State University East Bay came in at #35 in this year's ranking. California State University East Bay is a public school based in Hayward, CA. About 48% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full California State University East Bay report
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California State University Fullerton ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Fullerton, CA. California State University Fullerton posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,525. More on California State University Fullerton
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San Francisco State University landed the #37 spot in California this year. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. The median Computer Science program debt is $17,024. See the full San Francisco State University profile
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California State University Los Angeles placed #38 among Computer Science schools in California. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
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California State University San Bernardino placed #39 among Computer Science schools in California. Located in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. California State University San Bernardino Computer Science students take on a median of $15,149 in debt. Read more about California State University San Bernardino
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California State University Fresno ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full California State University Fresno profile
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California State University Stanislaus placed #41 among Computer Science schools in California. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. California State University Stanislaus Computer Science students take on a median of $14,813 in debt. More on California State University Stanislaus
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California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. California State University Dominguez Hills posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. California State University Dominguez Hills Computer Science students take on a median of $15,886 in debt. More on California State University Dominguez Hills
Request InformationSan Joaquin Valley College Lancaster came in at #43 in this year's ranking. See the full San Joaquin Valley College Lancaster profile
Request InformationThomas Aquinas College landed the #44 spot in California this year. Read the full report on Thomas Aquinas College
Request InformationUnited Education Institute Uei College San Marcos placed #45 among Computer Science schools in California. Get the full United Education Institute Uei College San Marcos report
Request InformationVista Adult School did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Vista Adult School
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Palomar College
Palomar College landed the #47 spot in California this year. See the full Palomar College profile
Request InformationSanta Ana Beauty Academy landed the #48 spot in California this year. Read more about Santa Ana Beauty Academy
Request InformationAzusa Pacific University College landed the #49 spot in California this year. More on Azusa Pacific University College
Request InformationLyles College Of Beauty Fresno placed #50 among Computer Science schools in California. Read more about Lyles College Of Beauty Fresno
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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