Best Computer Science Schools in California

California has 37 colleges offering Computer Science programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 4,324 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $72,889 on average within two years — 6% above the national average of $68,504, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Harvey Mudd College graduates earn $142,581 while California State University-Los Angeles graduates earn $41,193 — a $101,388 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$72,889

CA Avg. Earnings

$68,504

National Avg.

312

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Computer Science in California

Public Schools (26)

$68,040

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (10)

$88,235

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $20,195 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Computer Science Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA · Private

$142,581

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $123,339

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 13.1%

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$136,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $136,126

Graduates: 96

Acceptance: 3.9%

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private

$128,737

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $110,738

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 6.8%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$125,388

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $125,250

Graduates: 313

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$91,986

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $104,298

Graduates: 117

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$86,972

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $87,738

Graduates: 521

Acceptance: 24.5%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$81,554

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $86,276

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 27.8%

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$77,715

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,348

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 94.7%

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$75,047

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,782

Graduates: 120

Acceptance: 93.2%

#10

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$74,953

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,074

Graduates: 94

Acceptance: 80.2%

#11

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$74,241

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,808

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 93.7%

#12

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$73,635

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,899

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 93.1%

#13

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$73,128

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,796

Graduates: 505

Acceptance: 25.6%

#14

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$72,899

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,756

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: N/A

#15

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$72,796

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $79,314

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 50.8%

#16

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$71,015

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,962

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 95.7%

#17

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,871

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 55.6%

#18

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$68,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,088

Graduates: 166

Acceptance: 96.2%

#19

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$67,240

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,510

Graduates: 191

Acceptance: 93.6%

#20

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$67,101

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,224

Graduates: 195

Acceptance: 86.7%

#21

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$66,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,997

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 34.4%

#22

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$65,387

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,738

Graduates: 103

Acceptance: 96.8%

#23

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$64,394

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,217

Graduates: 240

Acceptance: 73.7%

#24

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$63,530

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,040

Graduates: 337

Acceptance: 62.5%

#25

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$62,792

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,701

Graduates: 189

Acceptance: 47.1%

#26

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

$62,260

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,076

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 94.9%

#27

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$61,516

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,412

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 94.8%

#28

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$60,320

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,986

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 91.3%

#29

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,267

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 98.3%

#30

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$57,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,247

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 88.9%

#31

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$54,322

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,405

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 96.4%

#32

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$53,775

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,497

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 98.8%

#33

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$49,918

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,765

Graduates: 71

Acceptance: 97.5%

#35

Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private

$47,260

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,368

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 60.1%

#36

Southern California Institute of Technology

Anaheim, CA · For-Profit

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,088

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 91.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Computer Science in California?

Harvey Mudd College ranks #1 for Computer Science in California with median graduate earnings of $142,581 within two years of graduation. There are 37 schools offering Computer Science programs in the state.

How much do Computer Science graduates earn in California?

Computer Science graduates in California earn an average of $72,889 within two years of graduation. This is 6% above the national average of $68,504 for this major.

What is the hardest Computer Science school to get into in California?

Stanford University is the most selective Computer Science program in California with an acceptance rate of 3.9%. The average acceptance rate across Computer Science programs in the state is 68.3%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Computer Science in California?

In California, private Computer Science programs produce average earnings of $88,235 vs $68,040 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 26 public and 10 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $72,807

All colleges in California →

Computer Science in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.