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.
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#1
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$8,509/yr
Median Earnings
$166,642
Grad Rate
92%
Computer Science Share
35.2%
#2
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$39,347/yr
Median Earnings
$164,248
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
23.7%
#3
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$14,538/yr
Median Earnings
$100,212
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
19.1%
#4
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$26,039/yr
Median Earnings
$127,532
Grad Rate
91%
Computer Science Share
3.2%
#5
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$14,794/yr
Median Earnings
$96,197
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
7.0%
#6
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$18,832/yr
Median Earnings
$96,304
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
5.4%
#7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$14,659/yr
Median Earnings
$88,581
Grad Rate
93%
Computer Science Share
3.9%
#8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$13,866/yr
Median Earnings
$83,432
Grad Rate
87%
Computer Science Share
11.0%
#9
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,318/yr
Median Earnings
$86,999
Grad Rate
86%
Computer Science Share
5.3%
#10
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA
Net Price
$35,567/yr
Median Earnings
$90,053
Grad Rate
75%
Computer Science Share
7.0%
#11
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$18,549/yr
Median Earnings
$73,362
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
17.2%
#12
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,807/yr
Median Earnings
$82,568
Grad Rate
83%
Computer Science Share
3.4%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$50,518/yr
Median Earnings
$86,034
Grad Rate
79%
Computer Science Share
3.2%
#14
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,708/yr
Median Earnings
$80,694
Grad Rate
82%
Computer Science Share
4.4%
#15
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$48,389/yr
Median Earnings
$75,975
Grad Rate
80%
Computer Science Share
5.3%
#16
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$12,672/yr
Median Earnings
$72,974
Grad Rate
76%
Computer Science Share
6.8%
#17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$9,404/yr
Median Earnings
$77,464
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
6.5%
#18
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA
Net Price
$26,445/yr
Median Earnings
$77,620
Grad Rate
69%
Computer Science Share
5.2%
#19
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$5,115/yr
Median Earnings
$69,015
Grad Rate
69%
Computer Science Share
5.7%
#20
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$9,426/yr
Median Earnings
$69,554
Grad Rate
70%
Computer Science Share
4.1%
#21
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Net Price
$20,523/yr
Median Earnings
$74,115
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
5.5%
#22
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,157/yr
Median Earnings
$70,012
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
4.3%
#23
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$32,530/yr
Median Earnings
$64,126
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
2.9%
#24
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,597/yr
Median Earnings
$71,595
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
1.6%
#25
University of Silicon Valley
San Jose, CA
Net Price
$34,100/yr
Median Earnings
$59,124
Grad Rate
33%
Computer Science Share
31.4%
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
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