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.
#1
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
Net Price
$16,075/yr
Median Earnings
$128,566
Grad Rate
94%
Engineering Share
31.1%
#2
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$35,924/yr
Median Earnings
$138,687
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
29.7%
#3
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Net Price
$16,665/yr
Median Earnings
$90,768
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
21.3%
#4
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Net Price
$13,481/yr
Median Earnings
$92,446
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
12.8%
#5
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
Net Price
$28,849/yr
Median Earnings
$104,736
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
2.0%
#6
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Net Price
$12,470/yr
Median Earnings
$84,943
Grad Rate
87%
Engineering Share
11.6%
#7
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$12,548/yr
Median Earnings
$82,511
Grad Rate
93%
Engineering Share
7.9%
#8
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA
Net Price
$20,555/yr
Median Earnings
$94,784
Grad Rate
63%
Engineering Share
19.2%
#9
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$14,251/yr
Median Earnings
$80,735
Grad Rate
86%
Engineering Share
10.2%
#10
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Net Price
$14,741/yr
Median Earnings
$80,838
Grad Rate
85%
Engineering Share
8.6%
#11
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Net Price
$16,109/yr
Median Earnings
$74,915
Grad Rate
84%
Engineering Share
4.2%
#12
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Net Price
$11,531/yr
Median Earnings
$71,902
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
17.6%
#13
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Net Price
$48,381/yr
Median Earnings
$78,349
Grad Rate
79%
Engineering Share
4.0%
#14
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$14,304/yr
Median Earnings
$67,699
Grad Rate
76%
Engineering Share
7.2%
#15
Chapman University
Orange, CA
Net Price
$46,555/yr
Median Earnings
$70,070
Grad Rate
81%
Engineering Share
0.9%
#16
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
Net Price
$17,890/yr
Median Earnings
$68,396
Grad Rate
75%
Engineering Share
4.4%
#17
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Net Price
$10,440/yr
Median Earnings
$64,403
Grad Rate
69%
Engineering Share
8.8%
#18
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Net Price
$6,555/yr
Median Earnings
$62,951
Grad Rate
70%
Engineering Share
3.3%
#19
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
Net Price
$14,480/yr
Median Earnings
$64,172
Grad Rate
63%
Engineering Share
5.1%
#20
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
Net Price
$26,285/yr
Median Earnings
$61,504
Grad Rate
61%
Engineering Share
6.9%
#21
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA
Net Price
$22,212/yr
Median Earnings
$66,677
Grad Rate
63%
Engineering Share
0.3%
#22
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Net Price
$9,338/yr
Median Earnings
$64,876
Grad Rate
56%
Engineering Share
5.7%
#23
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Net Price
$31,495/yr
Median Earnings
$56,778
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
2.2%
#24
Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Net Price
$28,115/yr
Median Earnings
$65,083
Grad Rate
60%
Engineering Share
0.4%
#25
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA
Net Price
$32,647/yr
Median Earnings
$57,106
Grad Rate
66%
Engineering Share
0.6%
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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