2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,676 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,169. Set against $14,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for electrical engineering. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $63,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for electrical engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,440. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $75,207. Set against $17,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,278. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,430 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $74,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,430 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in electrical 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. 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

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the electrical engineering program here. 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%.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,342. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $95,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,342 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

10

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #10 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #11 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,812. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $80,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for value in electrical 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 electrical engineering graduates is $19,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $80,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $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 earned the #14 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,954 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $66,430 early in their careers. Set against $19,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $67,345. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #16 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,571 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,571 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,877. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $102,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

18

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #18 for value in electrical 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,031. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,247. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,437. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $167,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

20

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #20 among the best values for electrical engineering. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,449 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $90,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,449 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #23 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. 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 $18,165 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $75,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

24

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #24 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,048. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

25

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Electrical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.