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Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California

23 Schools Ranked
$43,905 Average Earnings
$18,481 Avg Student Debt

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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Computer Science Degree Search has created the Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 23 schools in California to see which ones had the most popular online programs for computer science students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

University of the People

Pasadena, California
292 Total Awards

Our analysis found University of the People to be the most popular school for computer science students in California. Located in Pasadena, California, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 292 degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.

Full University of the People Report

#2

Diablo Valley College

Pleasant Hill, California
346 Total Awards
$11,660 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Diablo Valley College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. Diablo Valley College is a fairly large public school located in Pleasant Hill, California that handed out 346 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $11,660 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Diablo Valley College Report

#3

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
429 Total Awards
$35,075 Average Earnings
$35,400 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 23 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Academy of Art University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Academy of Art University is located in San Francisco, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 429 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $35,400 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $877, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Academy of Art University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,075 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

Read full report on Academy of Art University

#4

National University

La Jolla, California
200 Total Awards
$58,580 Average Earnings
$31,362 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 23 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, National University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in La Jolla, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 200 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

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. During the early years of their career, National University graduates make an average of $58,580 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 19% were women.

Read full report on National University

#6

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, California
49 Total Awards
$39,446 Average Earnings
$17,199 Avg Student Debt

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Located in Visalia, California, the small private for-profit school handed out 49 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $17,199 in loans while pursuing 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. During the early years of their career, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates make an average of $39,446 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 14% were women.

Read More…

#7

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, California
45 Total Awards
$56,787 Average Earnings
$16,091 Avg Student Debt

College of San Mateo came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California ranking. College of San Mateo is a medium-sized public school located in San Mateo, California that handed out 45 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,091 in student loans.After graduating from CSM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,787 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.

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38 Total Awards
$38,294 Average Earnings
$19,458 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, California Institute of Arts & Technology did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Located in San Diego, California, the very small private for-profit school handed out 38 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,458 in student loans. During the early years of their career, California Institute of Arts & Technology graduates make an average of $38,294 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 13% were women.

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#8

Laurus College

San Luis Obispo, California
38 Total Awards
$27,442 Average Earnings
$35,609 Avg Student Debt

Laurus College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. Laurus College is located in San Luis Obispo, California and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 degrees to qualified students.

On average, students take out $35,609 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Laurus College graduates make an average of $27,442 annually. Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Laurus College Report

#10

Brandman University

Irvine, California
36 Total Awards
$60,858 Average Earnings
$29,571 Avg Student Debt

Brandman University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in Irvine, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 36 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,571 in student loans.After graduating from Brandman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,858 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 19% were women.

Full Brandman University Report

#11

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
78 Total Awards
$44,426 Average Earnings
$29,767 Avg Student Debt

California Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students. It came in at #11 on the list. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $29,767 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $503 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal Baptist graduates make an average of $44,426 annually. Around 14% of those degree recipients were women.

Full California Baptist University Report

#12

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica, California
166 Total Awards
$70,951 Average Earnings
$13,428 Avg Student Debt

Santa Monica College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. SMC is a public institution located in Santa Monica, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 166 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,428 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SMC graduates make an average of $70,951 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 26% were women.

Full Santa Monica College Report

#13

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
62 Total Awards
$56,007 Average Earnings
$28,423 Avg Student Debt

Northcentral University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 62 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $28,423 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northcentral University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,007 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 24% were women.

Full Northcentral University Report

#14

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, California
333 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, Naval Postgraduate School did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Naval Postgraduate School is a public institution located in Monterey, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 333 degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.

Read More…

#15

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, California
15 Total Awards
$41,038 Average Earnings
$11,095 Avg Student Debt

San Bernardino Valley College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. San Bernardino Valley College is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 15 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,095 in student loans. During the early years of their career, San Bernardino Valley College graduates make an average of $41,038 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.

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#16

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California
38 Total Awards
$53,400 Average Earnings
$18,628 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. SBCC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 38 degrees in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,628 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, SBCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,400 during the early year of their career. Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.

Read More…

#17

Westcliff University

Irvine, California
10 Total Awards

Westcliff University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students. It came in at #17 on the list. Westcliff University is located in Irvine, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 degrees to qualified students.

Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Full Westcliff University Report

3 Total Awards
$105,193 Average Earnings

California Intercontinental University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. California Intercontinental University is a very small private for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 3 degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, California Intercontinental University graduates make an average of $105,193 annually.

Full California Intercontinental University Report

#17

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
39 Total Awards
$46,002 Average Earnings
$27,854 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, University of La Verne did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. La Verne, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,854 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.After graduating from ULV, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,002 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.

Full University of La Verne Report

#20

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
29 Total Awards
$79,352 Average Earnings
$35,348 Avg Student Debt

Golden Gate University - San Francisco ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in San Francisco, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 degrees in 2020-2021.

On average, students take out $35,348 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Golden Gate University - San Francisco, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $79,352 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

Full Golden Gate University - San Francisco Report

#21

United States University

San Diego, California
1 Total Awards
$85,412 Average Earnings

United States University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer science programs. Located in San Diego, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

After graduating from USU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $85,412 during the early years of their career.

Full United States University Report

#22

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
$46,449 Average Earnings
$28,665 Avg Student Debt

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California list.

On average, students take out $28,665 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $235.After graduating from MSMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,449 during the early years of their career.

Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Report

#22

Compton College

Compton, California

Compton College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in California ranking.

Read full report on Compton College

Most Popular Online Computer Science Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.

References

  • 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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