Best Computer Science Programs in California (2026)
If you're choosing a Computer Science program in California, the right school depends as much on cost and graduation rate as it does on rankings. The schools below are ranked by a combination of CS program strength, graduate earnings, and net price — using federal data, not marketing.
#1
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$16,075/yr
Median Earnings
$128,566
Grad Rate
94%
Computer Science Share
40.8%
#2
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$35,924/yr
Median Earnings
$138,687
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
17.7%
#3
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$13,481/yr
Median Earnings
$92,446
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
17.0%
#4
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$28,849/yr
Median Earnings
$104,736
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
2.6%
#5
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
4.4%
#6
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Computer Science Share
7.3%
#7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
3.7%
#8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
9.4%
#9
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,333/yr
Median Earnings
$84,713
Grad Rate
77%
Computer Science Share
8.4%
#10
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Computer Science Share
4.9%
#11
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$17,890/yr
Median Earnings
$68,396
Grad Rate
75%
Computer Science Share
16.3%
#12
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,109/yr
Median Earnings
$74,915
Grad Rate
84%
Computer Science Share
2.6%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$48,381/yr
Median Earnings
$78,349
Grad Rate
79%
Computer Science Share
3.1%
#14
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$48,661/yr
Median Earnings
$71,958
Grad Rate
81%
Computer Science Share
4.5%
#15
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Computer Science Share
4.6%
#16
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Computer Science Share
7.1%
#17
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$30,109/yr
Median Earnings
$68,712
Grad Rate
72%
Computer Science Share
5.3%
#18
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
5.5%
#19
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Computer Science Share
4.8%
#20
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Computer Science Share
3.8%
#21
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,161/yr
Median Earnings
$65,464
Grad Rate
64%
Computer Science Share
3.5%
#22
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,480/yr
Median Earnings
$64,172
Grad Rate
63%
Computer Science Share
4.0%
#23
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,212/yr
Median Earnings
$66,677
Grad Rate
63%
Computer Science Share
0.5%
#24
Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$28,115/yr
Median Earnings
$65,083
Grad Rate
60%
Computer Science Share
3.5%
#25
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, CA
Net Price
$53,909/yr
Median Earnings
$49,414
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
13.8%
Why a Computer Science degree?
Computer Science remains one of the highest-ROI bachelor's degrees in the U.S. AI-related roles are growing 143% year-over-year, and the wage premium for CS skills is widening, not narrowing.
Common career paths: Software Engineer · Data Scientist · AI/ML Engineer · Cybersecurity Analyst · Product Manager
Typical starting salary range: $85,000–$135,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in California
Computer Science programs in other states
More college guides like this in your inbox
Weekly analysis of college costs, financial aid, transfer pathways, and career outcomes — for U.S. families.