2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for electrical engineering in California. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $63,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,676. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,169 early in their careers. Set against $14,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for electrical 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $75,207. That is a strong return on a $17,440 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for electrical 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. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,278. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,430. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $74,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for electrical engineering value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $59,672 early in their careers. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,342 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $95,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $159,472. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #10 for value in electrical engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $80,827. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #12 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $80,412 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

14

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,954. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $66,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $67,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #16 for value in electrical 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, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $15,571 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

17

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among the best values for electrical engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,877. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $102,380. That is a strong return on a $17,877 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

18

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #18 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $78,247. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,437. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $167,298. That is a strong return on a $14,437 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

20

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

21

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #21 position for value in electrical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,404. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

22

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #22 for value in electrical engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $24,449 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $90,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,165. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $75,061. Set against $18,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

24

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #24 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $17,048 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $78,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

25

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for electrical engineering. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Electrical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 3%.