Best Computer Engineering institutions in California, ranked by earnings
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 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree | $111,560 | 117 | 86% | — | $20,556 |
| 2 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,804 | 409 | 88% | $44,094 | $24,666 |
| 3 | University of California - Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,418 | 118 | 86% | — | $12,804 |
| 4 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,256 | 291 | 86% | — | $18,497 |
| 5 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public · Bachelor's degree | $91,387 | 81 | 83% | — | $14,410 |
| 6 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,969 | 163 | 75% | — | $23,392 |
| 7 | University of California - Irvine Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,812 | 392 | 87% | — | $19,233 |
| 8 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,809 | 54 | 69% | — | $15,759 |
| 9 | San Diego State University San Diego Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,812 | 75 | 76% | — | $16,248 |
| 10 | California State University - Northridge Northridge Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,692 | 62 | 57% | — | $19,548 |
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 Computer Engineering program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo tops the list at $111,560. Compare it against completions, 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 $183,350 (median $179,880), across about 24,200 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
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).
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