2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California
[General Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/general-computer-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general computer engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $84,047. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,043. That is a strong return on a $18,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,759 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $79,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general computer engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,548 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $75,692. Set against $19,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for general computer engineering. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $17,500. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $66,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,486 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $75,101 early in their careers. Set against $30,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $18,497. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $96,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #9 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #10 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $20,250. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $70,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for general computer engineering. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,233. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $79,812 early in their careers. Set against $19,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Merced earned the #12 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $19,086. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $58,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in general computer engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #14 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,148 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $53,180. Set against $20,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general computer engineering schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $65,049. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Sonoma State University earned the #16 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $18,031. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #17 among the best values for general computer engineering. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $14,410. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $91,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #18 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $14,103. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $14,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Davis earned the #19 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,804 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $96,418. Set against $12,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #20 spot for general computer engineering value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,556 in student loans. General Computer Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $111,560 early in their careers. Set against $20,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
San Diego State University landed the #21 spot for general computer engineering value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,248 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $76,812. Set against $16,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #22 position for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,392 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $100,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #23 position for value in general computer engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. General Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general computer engineering graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Chapman University came in at #24 for value in general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the general computer engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. That is a strong return on a $21,657 median debt. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
Santa Clara University landed the #25 spot for general computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical student debt for general computer engineering graduates is $24,666. General Computer Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $128,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,666 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
