2026 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among computer engineering schools in California. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $84,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,759 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $79,809 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for computer engineering. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,043. Set against $18,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for computer engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,548 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $75,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for computer engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $66,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

6

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,486 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $75,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,486 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $96,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

9

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $18,073. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $70,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $19,233. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. That is a strong return on a $19,233 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #14 among the best values for computer engineering. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $19,086 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $58,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $20,148 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $53,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,148 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

16

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #16 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $65,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

17

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,410 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $91,387. That is a strong return on a $14,410 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

18

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #18 position for value in computer engineering this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

19

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #19 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,103 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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%.

20

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #20 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $96,418. That is a strong return on a $12,804 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

21

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 for value in computer engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,556. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $111,560. That is a strong return on a $20,556 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

22

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #22 spot for 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,248 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $76,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

23

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,392 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $100,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

24

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $48,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #25 for value in 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. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.