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2027 Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in California

4 Colleges in the United States
76 Engineering & Applied Physics Degrees Awarded
$87,498 Avg Early-Career Salary

Engineering & Applied Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their engineering & applied physics programs.

College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best engineering & applied physics schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Engineering & Applied Physics 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 engineering & applied physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Engineering & Applied Physics

1

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2027 ranking of the best engineering & applied physics schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 12 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $70,847 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. See the full engineering & applied physics program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the top schools for engineering & applied physics. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 20 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $60,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. See the full engineering & applied physics program report for University Of California San Diego

3

California Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in engineering & applied physics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. See the full engineering & applied physics program report for California Institute Of Technology

4
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from Biola University earn around $45,003 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,308 to complete this degree. Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at Biola University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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