Best computer science colleges in California

Computer science bachelor graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $111,415 3 years after graduation. This places California graduate earnings in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, computer science graduates earn 97% more than the total graduating bachelor class in the state.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

Our computer science rankings cover 40 of the 48 programs available in California, accounting for 90% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or cost data.

Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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#1 in California | #2 in Computer Science nationally

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Economic score 0.16

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,851

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $200,950

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 97%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Stanford University makes waves in academia year after year due to its prestigious curriculum and faculty. Their computer science program gives students broad training in computing and allows them to dabble in a variety of computer science disciplines while giving them an overall foundation in the field. Graduates often go on to work in exciting fields like AI, robotics, software design, theory, and hardware design.

The computer science department comprises 2 interdisciplinary majors: mathematical and computational sciences, and symbolic systems.  

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#2 in California | #7 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.32

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,371

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $178,867

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 94%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Earning a computer science degree prepares students for an array of jobs in software engineering, web development, data analytics, and more. The computer science program teaches students about theory, algorithm design, logic design of computers, programming languages, databases, and natural language processing. Students will look beyond today’s technology, preparing for work at Fortune 500 companies, startups, and self-employment.

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#3 in California | #13 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.48

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,058

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $88,735

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

The computer science curriculum is crafted to prepare students for careers in software design and applied computer science, offering the essential theoretical groundwork for advanced studies in the field. The program facilitates adaptability to the dynamic and expanding profession. Core courses establish a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals and related mathematical concepts, while a diverse selection of electives enables students to customize their program according to their individual interests all while nestled in the greater Los Angeles area.

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#4 in California | #19 in Computer Science nationally

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

Economic score 0.58

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $14,370

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $136,471

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 76%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#5 in California | #21 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.58

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,069

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $131,731

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 90%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

The courses and research in the B.S. in computer science program cover diverse areas like algorithms, computer architecture, cryptography, machine learning, and more. The computer science department offers 3 majors with flexible electives, which allow the exploration of academic and career interests.

Lower-division classes establish a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, programming, and computer organization, while upper-division core courses delve into algorithm theory, hardware, and software design. They also offer several electives to provide opportunities for additional knowledge or depth in a particular computer science sector.

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#6 in California | #22 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.60

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $16,550

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $129,693

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 92%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#7 in California | #23 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.60

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,293

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $107,813

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#8 in California | #26 in Computer Science nationally

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

Economic score 0.64

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $14,528

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $129,473

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#9 in California | #28 in Computer Science nationally

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, California

Economic score 0.66

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $39,671

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $183,524

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 93%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

During the bachelor of computer science program, students learn problem-solving strategies and practical and theoretical computer science skills. The goal of this program is to teach students how to design algorithms and demonstrate proficiency in various computing paradigms and languages. Students will be prepared for graduate school or leadership roles in computing-related fields. Strong communication skills are acquired during the 4-year program as students often collaborate in teams.

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#10 in California | #29 in Computer Science nationally

Pomona College

Claremont, California

Economic score 0.66

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $18,084

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $128,737

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 94%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#11 in California | #33 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.73

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,426

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $111,041

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 87%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#12 in California | #34 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.76

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,482

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $118,830

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 86%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#13 in California | #39 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.86

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,485

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $89,630

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 81%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#14 in California | #41 in Computer Science nationally

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Economic score 0.87

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $29,462

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $143,152

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 93%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#15 in California | #47 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 0.96

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,385

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $77,836

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Cal State LA's computer science degree prepares students for careers in designing computer systems with applications in science and industry, opening doors to high-paying jobs in the ever-growing field of computer software. The bachelor's degree program emphasizes both theory and practice, providing a strong foundation for future graduate studies or immediate employment.  

Taught by industry-experienced faculty in small classes, the curriculum ensures individual attention and a hands-on learning experience, preparing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios as they embark on their career journey.

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#16 in California | #50 in Computer Science nationally

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Economic score 1.00

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,912

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $102,977

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#17 in California | #52 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 1.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,887

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $100,661

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#18 in California | #56 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 1.08

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,159

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $94,132

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#19 in California | #61 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 1.10

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,578

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $108,095

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 74%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#20 in California | #69 in Computer Science nationally
Economic score 1.15

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,774

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $93,753

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

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