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Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in California

58 Schools Ranked

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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Computer Science Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 58 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular master's degree programs for computer science students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
1,330 Total Awards
$61,396 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named University of Southern California the most popular school in California for computer science students working on their master’s degree. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1,330 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 32% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at USC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Southern California

#2

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
378 Total Awards
$14,160 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at University of California - Berkeley helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular computer science schools in California. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school handed out 378 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 36% of those degree recipients were women.

UC Berkeley does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 90% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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#3

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
382 Total Awards
$13,564 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 58 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the # 3 spot on the list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 382 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 26% of those degree recipients were women.

UCSD does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
332 Total Awards
$55,011 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at Stanford University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular computer science schools in California. Located in Stanford, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 332 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Stanford. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Stanford University Report

#5

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California
272 Total Awards
$28,496 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 58 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Academy of Art University landed the # 5 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 272 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Academy of Art University. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Academy of Art University Report

#6

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
187 Total Awards
$13,356 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Irvine ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 187 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 24% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UC Irvine, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of California - Irvine Report

#7

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
165 Total Awards
$27,250 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, University of San Francisco did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Located in San Francisco, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 165 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

USFCA does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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151 Total Awards
$8,410 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Cal State Fullerton. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on California State University - Fullerton

#9

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
135 Total Awards
$13,036 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 135 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UCLA. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#10

National University

La Jolla, California
116 Total Awards

National University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 116 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 26% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at National University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 48% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, California
108 Total Awards

Naval Postgraduate School came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Naval Postgraduate School is located in Monterey, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 10% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Naval Postgraduate School, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Naval Postgraduate School

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
99 Total Awards
$13,895 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 99 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UC Santa Cruz. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Report

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
97 Total Awards
$13,467 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Riverside landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 97 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.

UCR does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 84% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
88 Total Awards
$9,570 Average Tuition & Fees

San Diego State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in San Diego, California, the large public school handed out 88 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 30% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at SDSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on San Diego State University

#15

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
83 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.

Around 28% of those degree recipients were women.

CSULB does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on California State University - Long Beach

78 Total Awards
$8,429 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - East Bay landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. Located in Hayward, California, the fairly large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Cal State East Bay. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - East Bay Report

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
114 Total Awards
$9,286 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jose State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. This large public school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 114 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

San Jose State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 94% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on San Jose State University

#18

University of California - Davis

Davis, California
72 Total Awards
$13,608 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - Davis landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 35% were women.

UC Davis does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 52% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of California - Davis

#19

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
68 Total Awards
$36,380 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Claremont Graduate University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Claremont Graduate University. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Claremont Graduate University Report

#20

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
60 Total Awards
$9,161 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - San Marcos ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California list. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 60 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CSUSM does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full California State University - San Marcos Report

#20

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
60 Total Awards
$8,219 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Cal State LA, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

57 Total Awards
$42,804 Average Tuition & Fees

Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for computer science students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Monterey, California, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 57 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Middlebury Institute. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

#23

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
49 Total Awards
$8,826 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer science students working on their master’s degree. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.

Sac State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#24

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
46 Total Awards
$18,207 Average Tuition & Fees

Northcentral University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree computer science programs. Northcentral University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 46 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 22% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Northcentral University is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

43 Total Awards
$8,873 Average Tuition & Fees

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California list. This large public school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 43 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 23% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Cal Poly Pomona does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 87% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

Most Popular Computer Science Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

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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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