Best colleges for Computer Engineering in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara University and University of California-Davis are the top bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in California by graduate earnings. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $111,560, College Scorecard. San Jose State University, University of California-Irvine and Santa Clara University award the most Computer Engineering degrees in California: 455, 446 and 370 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 35 California colleges offer Computer Engineering and award 3,393 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree | $111,560 | 112 | 86% | — | $20,556 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,804 | 370 | 88% | $44,094 | $24,666 |
| 3 | University of California-Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,418 | 102 | 86% | — | $12,804 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,256 | 295 | 86% | — | $18,497 |
| 5 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public · Bachelor's degree | $91,387 | 54 | 83% | — | $14,410 |
| 6 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,969 | 194 | 75% | — | $23,392 |
| 7 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,812 | 446 | 87% | — | $19,233 |
| 8 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,809 | 65 | 69% | — | $15,759 |
| 9 | San Diego State University San Diego Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,812 | 72 | 76% | — | $16,248 |
| 10 | California State University - Northridge Northridge Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,692 | 91 | 57% | — | $19,548 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Engineering degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose State University San Jose Public | 455 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | 446 | $79,812 |
| 3 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit | 370 | $103,804 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 295 | $96,256 |
| 5 | University of California-Merced Merced Public | 227 | $58,835 |
| 6 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Public | 194 | $79,969 |
| 7 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton Public | 151 | $55,093 |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 150 | Not reported |
| 9 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona Public | 118 | $70,768 |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public | 112 | $111,560 |
ShowHide the other 25 California colleges offering Computer Engineering
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061).
Top skills
What Computer Hardware Engineers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Engineering programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Computer Engineering degrees?+
San Jose State University (455 graduates a year), University of California-Irvine (446 graduates a year) and Santa Clara University (370 graduates a year) award the most Computer Engineering degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 35 California colleges offer Computer Engineering.
What is the best college for Computer Engineering in California?+
By graduate earnings, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo leads among bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $111,560, College Scorecard. Santa Clara University and University of California-Davis follow. By degrees awarded, San Jose State University is the largest, with 455 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Engineering program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo tops the list at $111,560. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer Hardware Engineers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in California is $190,590 (median $185,180), across about 19,820 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Engineering program?+
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +7.3% growth with around 4,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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