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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California

21 Colleges in the United States
2,536 General Computer Engineering Degrees Awarded
$77,678 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Computer Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general computer engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Computer Engineering in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Computer Engineering

1

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 school for general computer engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 274 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $96,256 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. See the full general computer engineering program report for University Of California San Diego

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general computer engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general computer engineering details for University Of Southern California

3

Students looking for a strong general computer engineering program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $96,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,804. Read more about the general computer engineering program at University Of California Davis

4

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $111,560 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,556 in student loans. See the full general computer engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general computer engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,103 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from University Of California Los Angeles

6

San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 160 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general computer engineering details for San Jose State University

7

University Of California Irvine came in at #7 for general computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 250 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. Typical student debt for the program is $19,233. Read more about the general computer engineering program at University Of California Irvine

8

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot for general computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 81 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. General Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $91,387 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,410. Read more about the general computer engineering program at University Of California Santa Barbara

9
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 366 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer engineering program make about $128,924 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $24,666 in student loans. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from Santa Clara University

10

San Diego State University earned the #10 position for general computer engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 72 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general computer engineering program make about $76,812 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,248 in student loans. Get the full general computer engineering details for San Diego State University

11

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #11 for general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 136 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $100,363 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,392 to complete this degree. Get the full general computer engineering details for University Of California Santa Cruz

12
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #12 among the best general computer engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 11 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Computer Engineering graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $51,140 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. See the full general computer engineering program report for Sonoma State University

13

California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for general computer engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 55 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $66,266 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full general computer engineering program report for California State University Sacramento

14

California State University Long Beach ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 54 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $79,809 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,759 to complete this degree. Read more about the general computer engineering program at California State University Long Beach

15

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #15 spot for general computer engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 107 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the general computer engineering program make about $70,768 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

16

California State University East Bay came in at #16 for general computer engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from California State University East Bay earn around $58,951 in the first couple years of their career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from California State University East Bay

17

California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for general computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $84,047. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Read more about the general computer engineering program at California State University Fullerton

18

California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for general computer engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 50 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from California State University Northridge earn around $75,692 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,548. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from California State University Northridge

19

San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for general computer engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $53,180. Typical student debt for the program is $20,148. More information about a degree in general computer engineering from San Francisco State University

20

University Of California Riverside ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $65,049. Typical student debt for the program is $25,083. See the full general computer engineering program report for University Of California Riverside

21

University Of California Merced ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 184 general computer engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Merced in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from University Of California Merced earn around $58,835 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,086. See the full general computer engineering program report for University Of California Merced

22

California State University San Bernardino landed the #22 spot for general computer engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 40 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general computer engineering program make about $49,043 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,096 to complete this degree. See the full general computer engineering program report for California State University San Bernardino

23

California State University Fresno landed the #23 spot for general computer engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 18 general computer engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Students who receive their general computer engineering degree from California State University Fresno earn around $75,101 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,486. Get the full general computer engineering details for California State University Fresno

24

California State University Bakersfield came in at #24 for general computer engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bakersfield. About 50% of students finish within six years. California State University Bakersfield awarded about 11 general computer engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the general computer engineering program at California State University Bakersfield

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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