Best colleges for Engineering in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
California State University - Chico, University of California-San Diego and Stanford University are the top bachelor's Engineering programs in California by graduate earnings. California State University - Chico leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,204, College Scorecard. University of Southern California, Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley award the most Engineering degrees in California: 196, 108 and 89 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 California colleges offer Engineering and award 539 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Engineering program focuses on applying scientific theories, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to develop technological solutions. Students in this field will learn to balance technical requirements with safety, human…
Top 3 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 State University - Chico Chico Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,204 | 32 | 63% | — | $23,000 |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,522 | 71 | 86% | — | $19,250 |
| 3 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,741 | 108 | 92% | $12,032 | $7,500 |
Colleges awarding the most 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 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 196 | Not reported |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 108 | $49,741 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 89 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 71 | $56,522 |
| 5 | California State University - Chico Chico Public | 32 | $74,204 |
| 6 | California State University - Channel Islands Camarillo Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Claremont McKenna College Claremont Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of San Diego San Diego Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 California colleges offering Engineering
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | San Diego | Public | 2 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors (SOC 17-2111).
Top skills
What Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Engineering programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Engineering degrees?+
University of Southern California (196 graduates a year), Stanford University (108 graduates a year) and University of California-Berkeley (89 graduates a year) award the most Engineering degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 California colleges offer Engineering.
What is the best college for Engineering in California?+
By graduate earnings, California State University - Chico leads among bachelor's Engineering programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,204, College Scorecard. University of California-San Diego and Stanford University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Southern California is the largest, with 196 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Engineering program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, California State University - Chico tops the list at $74,204. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors in California is $135,120 (median $131,540), across about 2,470 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Engineering program?+
The Engineering program focuses on applying scientific theories, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to develop technological solutions. Students in this field will learn to balance technical requirements with safety, human…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 1,500 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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