Best Engineering Programs in California (2026)
Engineering programs in California range from research-focused public flagships to applied-engineering programs at smaller schools. The list below is ranked by engineering program strength, ABET accreditation, graduate earnings, and net price.
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#1
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$39,347/yr
Median Earnings
$164,248
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
28.9%
#2
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$8,509/yr
Median Earnings
$166,642
Grad Rate
92%
Engineering Share
28.4%
#3
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$18,832/yr
Median Earnings
$96,304
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
22.8%
#4
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$14,538/yr
Median Earnings
$100,212
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
11.1%
#5
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$14,794/yr
Median Earnings
$96,197
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
11.6%
#6
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$26,039/yr
Median Earnings
$127,532
Grad Rate
91%
Engineering Share
2.9%
#7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$14,659/yr
Median Earnings
$88,581
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
7.4%
#8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$13,866/yr
Median Earnings
$83,432
Grad Rate
87%
Engineering Share
10.9%
#9
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,318/yr
Median Earnings
$86,999
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
8.6%
#10
Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA
Net Price
$17,793/yr
Median Earnings
$105,475
Grad Rate
59%
Engineering Share
15.9%
#11
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,807/yr
Median Earnings
$82,568
Grad Rate
83%
Engineering Share
4.1%
#12
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$9,404/yr
Median Earnings
$77,464
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
18.9%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$50,518/yr
Median Earnings
$86,034
Grad Rate
79%
Engineering Share
3.1%
#14
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,708/yr
Median Earnings
$80,694
Grad Rate
82%
Engineering Share
2.0%
#15
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$12,672/yr
Median Earnings
$72,974
Grad Rate
76%
Engineering Share
7.7%
#16
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$18,549/yr
Median Earnings
$73,362
Grad Rate
74%
Engineering Share
5.1%
#17
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$9,426/yr
Median Earnings
$69,554
Grad Rate
70%
Engineering Share
8.2%
#18
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$5,115/yr
Median Earnings
$69,015
Grad Rate
69%
Engineering Share
3.7%
#19
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,157/yr
Median Earnings
$70,012
Grad Rate
62%
Engineering Share
4.7%
#20
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$24,138/yr
Median Earnings
$67,633
Grad Rate
61%
Engineering Share
6.8%
#21
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$32,530/yr
Median Earnings
$64,126
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
3.0%
#22
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,597/yr
Median Earnings
$71,595
Grad Rate
62%
Engineering Share
0.5%
#23
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Net Price
$11,186/yr
Median Earnings
$69,014
Grad Rate
55%
Engineering Share
5.4%
#24
Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$29,761/yr
Median Earnings
$72,184
Grad Rate
53%
Engineering Share
1.3%
#25
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
Net Price
$6,346/yr
Median Earnings
$63,721
Grad Rate
57%
Engineering Share
4.4%
Why a Engineering degree?
Engineering bachelor's degrees consistently top the federal earnings data for new graduates. ABET-accredited programs are the standard requirement for licensure and most engineering jobs.
Common career paths: Mechanical Engineer · Civil Engineer · Electrical Engineer · Biomedical Engineer · Environmental Engineer
Typical starting salary range: $72,000–$110,000
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.
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