2023 Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which computer science program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 232 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for computer science students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of California - Berkeley to be the most popular school for computer science students in California. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,843 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $323 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.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. Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.
The programs at University of Southern California helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular computer science schools in California. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,708 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,661 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $489 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USC graduates make an average of $65,044 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 31% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 1,232 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 24% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,154 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,172 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. Once they receive their degree, UCSD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,251 during the early year of their career. Around 25% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of California - Santa Cruz. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, the fairly large public school awarded 913 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,900 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $285, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UC Santa Cruz graduates make an average of $35,777 annually. Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.
Stanford University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 628 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Stanford graduates make an average of $83,159 annually. Around 31% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 505 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $16,277 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $278.After graduating from UCLA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,838 during the early years of their career. Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. This large public school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 459 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of $17,931 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 $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,875 during the early years of their career. Around 22% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Davis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Davis, California, the large public school handed out 444 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,449 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $281, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC Davis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,065 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 26% were women.
Academy of Art University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 429 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Academy of Art University accumulate an average of $35,400 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 $877 if they 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.
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer science programs. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 386 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Once they receive their degree, SDSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,826 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 23% were women.
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Northridge did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Located in Northridge, California, the large public school handed out 378 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,166 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUN graduates make an average of $44,924 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 18% were women.
With a ranking of #13, Diablo Valley College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Pleasant Hill, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 346 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,660 in student loans. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Riverside did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students. It came in at #14 on the list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 340 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,387 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $150 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UCR graduates make an average of $32,967 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.
Naval Postgraduate School did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students. It came in at #15 on the list. 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.
Around 17% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Los Angeles ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school handed out 328 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,712 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Cal State LA graduates make an average of $43,734 annually. Around 20% of those degree recipients were women.
Orange Coast College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California ranking. Located in Costa Mesa, California, the fairly large public school handed out 315 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Orange Coast College accumulate an average of $10,449 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Orange Coast College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,879 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer science programs. This large public school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 313 degrees in 2020-2021.
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.After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,201 during the early years of their career. Around 19% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
With a ranking of #19, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,924 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Sac State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,098 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 20% were women.
Read full report on California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Long Beach landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer science programs. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 304 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,702 in student loans.After graduating from CSULB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,445 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 19% were women.
San Jose State University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. This large public school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 344 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, De Anza College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Located in Cupertino, California, the fairly large public school awarded 297 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,713 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, University of the People did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. University of the People is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 292 degrees in 2020-2021.
Of those students who received their degree, 17% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Long Beach City College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working. Long Beach City College is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 282 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,172 in student loans. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - East Bay ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California list. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school located in Hayward, California that handed out 280 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Cal State East Bay accumulate an average of $20,301 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 $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Cal State East Bay graduates make an average of $52,422 annually. Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Computer Science Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 36 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Computer Science Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Computer Science Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular computer science schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | California State University - Chico | Chico, CA |
| 38 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA |
| 39 | Coastline Community College | Fountain Valley, CA |
| 40 | California State University - Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA |
| 41 | Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA |
| 42 | California State University - Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA |
| 43 | Asher College | Sacramento, CA |
| 44 | Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA |
| 45 | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA |
| 46 | DeVry University - California | Pomona, CA |
| 47 | American River College | Sacramento, CA |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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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