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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

9 Colleges in the United States
1,311 General Engineering Degrees Awarded
$62,457 Avg Early-Career Salary

General 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 134 schools to find the best for general engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Engineering in the Far Western Region

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 engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Engineering

1

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 194 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $135,373. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

2

Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general engineering, ranking #2. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 10 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542. More information about a degree in general engineering from Point Loma Nazarene University

3
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general engineering, ranking #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Harvey Mudd College earn around $92,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,240 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Harvey Mudd College

4

San Francisco State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 17 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. Read more about the general engineering program at San Francisco State University

5

A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for general engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the general engineering program at San Jose State University

6

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #6 for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Santa Rosa Junior College

7

University Of San Diego placed #7 among the best general engineering schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 15 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from University Of San Diego

8
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #8 position for general engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Santa Ana College awarded about 110 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $39,633 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Santa Ana College

9

University Of The Pacific ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of The Pacific awarded about 17 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $90,603 early in their careers. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for University Of The Pacific

10
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College came in at #10 for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Moorpark College awarded about 55 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Moorpark College

11

University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 73 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $102,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of California Riverside

12
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College placed #12 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. There were roughly 29 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Santa Barbara City College

13

San Diego Miramar College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 28 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for San Diego Miramar College

14
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College earned the #14 position for general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Cuesta College awarded about 10 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. See the full general engineering program report for Cuesta College

15
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 11 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831. Get the full general engineering details for College Of San Mateo

16
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Mission College awarded about 16 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mission College graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Mission College

17
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College landed the #17 spot for general engineering this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. There were roughly 10 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Chabot College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $85,175 in their early career. Chabot College graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Chabot College

18
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 35 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. Read more about the general engineering program at Santa Monica College

19
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #19 among the best general engineering schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. About 13 general engineering degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Shasta College

20
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College placed #20 among the best general engineering schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. About 16 general engineering degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Cerritos College

21
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. About 31 general engineering degrees were awarded at Norco College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $8,203. More information about a degree in general engineering from Norco College

22
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College landed the #22 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. About 22 general engineering degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year. Get the full general engineering details for Fullerton College

23
Rio Hondo College crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. There were roughly 12 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rio Hondo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Rio Hondo College graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Rio Hondo College

24
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College placed #24 among the best general engineering schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Ventura College awarded about 59 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $99,778 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. Read more about the general engineering program at Ventura College

25

Cabrillo College placed #25 among the best general engineering schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. Cabrillo College awarded about 19 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Cabrillo College

Rest of the Top 46 General Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general engineering this year:

26
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
27
28
29
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
30
31
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
32
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
33
34
35
36
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
37
38
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
39
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
40
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
41
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
42
43
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
44
45
46
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 134 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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