2026 Best General Engineering Schools in California

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 school for general engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 194 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $135,373 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of California Los Angeles

2

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

A rank of #2 makes Point Loma Nazarene University one of the top schools for general engineering. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 10 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Point Loma Nazarene University

3

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. About 62 general engineering degrees were awarded at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of $92,491 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,240 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Harvey Mudd College

4

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

A rank of #4 makes San Francisco State University one of the top schools for general engineering. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from San Francisco State University

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for a strong general engineering program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full general engineering program report for San Jose State University

6

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. 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. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

7

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #7 position for general engineering this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of San Diego awarded about 15 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $68,281 in their early career. 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
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College placed #8 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 110 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $39,633 in their early career. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Santa Ana College

9

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific came in at #9 for general engineering this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 17 general engineering degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $90,603 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for University Of The Pacific

10

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College earned the #10 position for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 55 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Moorpark College earn around $105,599 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Moorpark College

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school 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. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $102,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of California Riverside

12

Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College earned the #12 position for general engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Read more about the general engineering program at Santa Barbara City College

13

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College came in at #13 for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 28 general engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for San Diego Miramar College

14

Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 10 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $64,492 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Cuesta College

15

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo landed the #15 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. About 11 general engineering degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for College Of San Mateo

16

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. There were roughly 16 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mission College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $17,223. See the full general engineering program report for Mission College

17

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College earned the #17 position for general engineering this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 10 general engineering degrees were awarded at Chabot College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Chabot College

18

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 general engineering degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. Get the full general engineering details for Santa Monica College

19

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College earned the #19 position for general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. About 13 general engineering degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Shasta College graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Shasta College

20

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College placed #20 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Cerritos College awarded about 16 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Cerritos College

21

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #21 for general engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Norco. About 31 general engineering degrees were awarded at Norco College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Norco College

22

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. There were roughly 22 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general engineering from Fullerton College

23

Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Rio Hondo College placed #23 among 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. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Rio Hondo College earn around $95,666 in the first couple years of their career. 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
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. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Ventura College earn around $99,778 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Ventura College

25

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College earned the #25 position for general engineering this year. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 19 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $47,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Cabrillo College