# Best Computer Science Colleges in California

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-california

## Methodology

Computer Science programs in California ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a degree in computer science, California schools stand out for their strong programs and impressive outcomes. With a variety of options across the state, students have the chance to choose institutions that best align with their career goals. For many, the starting salary is a key factor; the average earnings for graduates from these computer science programs is $69,099.

The schools listed here excel in crucial areas like graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and manageable debt levels. These metrics highlight not only the quality of the education but also the potential return on investment. For example, successful programs typically have graduation rates above 90% and average debt levels that allow graduates to thrive financially after college.

Take Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College as examples. Stanford graduates earn an average of $124,080 with a graduation rate of 92%, while Harvey Mudd students average $138,687, but with a higher net price and debt of $25,000. This contrast underscores the importance of weighing financial commitments against potential earnings.

## Key Findings

- Stanford University graduates average $124,080 in earnings, highlighting its strong return on investment.
- California Institute of Technology boasts a 94% graduation rate, one of the highest on the list.
- Pomona College has a net price of $19,285, which is higher than several other top programs.
- Harvey Mudd College graduates have an average debt of $25,000, which is significant compared to other schools.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Stanford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stanford-university) | Stanford, CA | 92% | $124,080 | $13,807 | $12,000 | 0.1x |
| 2 | [California Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-institute-of-technology) | Pasadena, CA | 94% | $128,566 | $16,075 | N/A | N/A |
| 3 | [Pomona College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pomona-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $77,779 | $19,285 | $11,782 | 0.15x |
| 4 | [Harvey Mudd College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harvey-mudd-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $138,687 | $35,924 | $25,000 | 0.18x |
| 5 | [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) | Berkeley, CA | 93% | $92,446 | $13,481 | $13,000 | 0.14x |
| 6 | [University of Southern California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-california) | Los Angeles, CA | 92% | $92,498 | $32,740 | $18,000 | 0.19x |
| 7 | [San Jose State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-jose-state-university) | San Jose, CA | 67% | $78,988 | $13,760 | $15,000 | 0.19x |
| 8 | [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/santa-clara-university) | Santa Clara, CA | 88% | $109,183 | $50,062 | $19,162 | 0.18x |
| 9 | [San Francisco State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-francisco-state-university) | San Francisco, CA | 50% | $68,077 | $12,278 | $15,371 | 0.23x |
| 10 | [University of the Pacific](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-pacific) | Stockton, CA | 68% | $78,445 | $25,447 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 11 | [University of California-Irvine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-irvine) | Irvine, CA | 86% | $80,735 | $14,251 | $15,000 | 0.19x |
| 12 | [University of California-San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) | La Jolla, CA | 87% | $84,943 | $12,470 | $15,500 | 0.18x |
| 13 | [Occidental College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/occidental-college) | Los Angeles, CA | 83% | $75,951 | $38,263 | $23,000 | 0.3x |
| 14 | [University of San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-san-diego) | San Diego, CA | 83% | $86,522 | $30,365 | $22,940 | 0.27x |
| 15 | [University of California-Santa Cruz](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-santa-cruz) | Santa Cruz, CA | 75% | $68,396 | $17,890 | $16,666 | 0.24x |
| 16 | [California Lutheran University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-lutheran-university) | Thousand Oaks, CA | 72% | $68,712 | $30,109 | $21,669 | 0.32x |
| 17 | [Dominican University of California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dominican-university-of-california) | San Rafael, CA | 77% | $84,713 | $35,333 | $27,000 | 0.32x |
| 18 | [University of California-Davis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-davis) | Davis, CA | 85% | $80,838 | $14,741 | $13,000 | 0.16x |
| 19 | [University of California-Los Angeles](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles) | Los Angeles, CA | 93% | $82,511 | $12,548 | $14,000 | 0.17x |
| 20 | [University of San Francisco](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-san-francisco) | San Francisco, CA | 71% | $89,812 | $41,431 | $23,000 | 0.26x |
| 21 | [Chapman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chapman-university) | Orange, CA | 81% | $70,070 | $46,555 | $20,500 | 0.29x |
| 22 | [Loyola Marymount University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/loyola-marymount-university) | Los Angeles, CA | 79% | $78,349 | $48,381 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 23 | [University of California-Riverside](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-riverside) | Riverside, CA | 76% | $67,699 | $14,304 | $17,500 | 0.26x |
| 24 | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo) | San Luis Obispo, CA | 86% | $90,768 | $16,665 | $18,500 | 0.2x |
| 25 | [Barstow Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barstow-community-college) | Barstow, CA | 36% | $35,104 | $12,773 | $3,500 | 0.1x |
| 26 | [University of La Verne](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-la-verne) | La Verne, CA | 64% | $65,464 | $20,161 | $23,500 | 0.36x |
| 27 | [Westmont College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westmont-college) | Santa Barbara, CA | 70% | $64,778 | $29,053 | $23,250 | 0.36x |
| 28 | [Point Loma Nazarene University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/point-loma-nazarene-university) | San Diego, CA | 76% | $63,998 | $38,729 | $22,990 | 0.36x |
| 29 | [California State University-Monterey Bay](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-monterey-bay) | Seaside, CA | 61% | $59,247 | $13,663 | $12,750 | 0.22x |
| 30 | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona) | Pomona, CA | 68% | $71,902 | $11,531 | $16,000 | 0.22x |
| 31 | [California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-fullerton) | Fullerton, CA | 70% | $62,951 | $6,555 | $13,750 | 0.22x |
| 32 | [California State University-Long Beach](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-long-beach) | Long Beach, CA | 69% | $64,403 | $10,440 | $14,289 | 0.22x |
| 33 | [Glendale Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/glendale-community-college-ca) | Glendale, CA | 35% | $41,540 | $8,365 | $8,972 | 0.22x |
| 34 | [California State University-San Bernardino](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-san-bernardino) | San Bernardino, CA | 55% | $59,977 | $4,564 | $14,715 | 0.25x |
| 35 | [California State University-East Bay](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-east-bay) | Hayward, CA | 47% | $71,401 | $9,320 | $16,544 | 0.23x |
| 36 | [De Anza College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/de-anza-college) | Cupertino, CA | 68% | $56,596 | $6,642 | $5,625 | 0.1x |
| 37 | [Woodbury University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/woodbury-university) | Burbank, CA | 58% | $65,668 | $33,692 | $26,960 | 0.41x |
| 38 | [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-sacramento) | Sacramento, CA | 56% | $64,876 | $9,338 | $15,000 | 0.23x |
| 39 | [College of the Redwoods](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-redwoods) | Eureka, CA | 30% | $36,243 | $6,904 | $8,080 | 0.22x |
| 40 | [California State University-Los Angeles](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-los-angeles) | Los Angeles, CA | 53% | $59,211 | $3,967 | $13,000 | 0.22x |
| 41 | [California State University-Northridge](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-northridge) | Northridge, CA | 57% | $59,115 | $7,021 | $13,872 | 0.23x |
| 42 | [California College of the Arts](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-college-of-the-arts) | San Francisco, CA | 62% | $49,414 | $53,909 | $27,000 | 0.55x |
| 43 | [California State University-San Marcos](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-san-marcos) | San Marcos, CA | 54% | $62,908 | $10,229 | $17,350 | 0.28x |
| 44 | [Ohlone College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ohlone-college) | Fremont, CA | 53% | $54,278 | $11,130 | N/A | N/A |
| 45 | [California State University-Dominguez Hills](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-dominguez-hills) | Carson, CA | 45% | $57,162 | $8,615 | $13,807 | 0.24x |
| 46 | [California State University-Channel Islands](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-channel-islands) | Camarillo, CA | 52% | $62,152 | $9,849 | $15,000 | 0.24x |
| 47 | [Diablo Valley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/diablo-valley-college) | Pleasant Hill, CA | 47% | $51,378 | $8,312 | $10,021 | 0.2x |
| 48 | [California State University-Chico](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-chico) | Chico, CA | 63% | $64,172 | $14,480 | $16,552 | 0.26x |
| 49 | [Art Center College of Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/art-center-college-of-design) | Pasadena, CA | 81% | $71,958 | $48,661 | $31,000 | 0.43x |
| 50 | [College of San Mateo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-san-mateo) | San Mateo, CA | 59% | $54,172 | $536 | $14,695 | 0.27x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Computer Science Colleges in California." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-california

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.