2023 Best Computer Science Schools in California
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which computer science program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamp with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 42 schools in California to see which ones offered the best programs for computer science students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Computer Science Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named California Institute of Technology the best school in California for computer science students working on their degree.
Once they receive their degree, Caltech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $94,845 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the # 2 spot on the list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,926 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Stanford graduates make an average of $83,159 annually.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for computer science students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $323.After graduating from UC Berkeley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,587 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of California - San Diego is a great place for computer science students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,172 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $242, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UCSD graduates make an average of $50,251 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in California list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,067 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $377, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates make an average of $54,753 annually.
With a ranking of #6, Asher College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.
Degree recipients from Asher College accumulate an average of $19,362 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Asher College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,952 during the early year of their career.
University of Southern California landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,661 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $489, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,044 during the early year of their career.
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
Degree recipients from UCSB accumulate an average of $16,986 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $287. During the early years of their career, UCSB graduates make an average of $40,268 annually.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,811 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $821 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Loyola Marymount, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,301 during the early years of their career.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking.
Degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia accumulate an average of $17,199 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $102 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,446 during the early years of their career.
University of California - Irvine came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking.
On average, students take out $16,722 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $209. During the early years of their career, UC Irvine graduates make an average of $44,120 annually.
University of San Francisco came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking.
Degree recipients from USFCA accumulate an average of $21,881 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $653, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USFCA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,640 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #13, University of San Diego did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.
Degree recipients from USD accumulate an average of $21,638 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $796 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from USD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,794 during the early years of their career.
MTI College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
On average, students take out $11,345 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $58, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from MTI College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,675 during the early years of their career.
California Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #15 on the list.
On average, students take out $29,767 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $503. Once they receive their degree, Cal Baptist graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,426 during the early year of their career.
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #16 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in California list.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,900 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,777 during the early years of their career.
California State University - Chico landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,135 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365. During the early years of their career, Chico State graduates make an average of $41,305 annually.
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
On average, students take out $18,841 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $243 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CSUCI graduates make an average of $42,739 annually.
Academy of Art University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Computer Science Schools in California list.
On average, students take out $35,400 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $877. During the early years of their career, Academy of Art University graduates make an average of $35,075 annually.
San Diego State University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
On average, students take out $18,150 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SDSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,826 during the early years of their career.
University of California - Riverside did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list.
Degree recipients from UCR accumulate an average of $18,387 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $150, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCR graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,967 during the early year of their career.
San Jose State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for computer science students. It came in at #22 on the list.
Once they receive their degree, San Jose State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,886 during the early year of their career.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Computer Science Schools in California ranking.
On average, students take out $18,789 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $171. During the early years of their career, Cal Poly Pomona graduates make an average of $45,201 annually.
Read full report on California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
With a ranking of #24, Laurus College did quite well on this year’s best schools for computer science students working.
Degree recipients from Laurus College accumulate an average of $35,609 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Laurus College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $27,442 during the early years of their career.
National University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best computer science programs.
On average, students take out $31,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198. Once they receive their degree, National University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,580 during the early year of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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