Best Civil Engineering Schools in California

California has 22 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,812 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $66,328 on average within two years — 10% above the national average of $60,166, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Santa Clara University graduates earn $79,473 while California State University-Northridge graduates earn $53,108 — a $26,365 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$66,328

CA Avg. Earnings

$60,166

National Avg.

225

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Civil Engineering in California

Public Schools (17)

$64,611

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$72,166

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $7,555 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Civil Engineering Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$79,473

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 43.8%

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$74,845

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,515

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 80.2%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$74,576

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $75,576

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 10.0%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$72,645

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,381

Graduates: 132

Acceptance: 29.8%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$71,351

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,327

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 11.7%

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$70,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,278

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 73.6%

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$69,617

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,761

Graduates: 67

Acceptance: 93.7%

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

$68,778

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.9%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$68,592

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,929

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 8.7%

#10

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$67,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,573

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 40.3%

#11

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$67,516

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,244

Graduates: 157

Acceptance: 41.6%

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$66,592

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,046

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 96.2%

#13

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$64,406

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,158

Graduates: 169

Acceptance: 93.6%

#14

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$64,231

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,170

Graduates: 240

Acceptance: 73.7%

#15

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$62,707

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,257

Graduates: 93

Acceptance: 25.6%

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$62,317

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,495

Graduates: 128

Acceptance: 34.4%

#17

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$61,516

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,370

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 91.9%

#18

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$60,943

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,480

Graduates: 125

Acceptance: 47.1%

#19

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$60,117

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,150

Graduates: 89

Acceptance: 86.7%

#20

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$59,666

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,442

Graduates: 77

Acceptance: 96.4%

#21

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,478

Graduates: 143

Acceptance: 24.5%

#22

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$53,108

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,213

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 93.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Civil Engineering in California?

Santa Clara University ranks #1 for Civil Engineering in California with median graduate earnings of $79,473 within two years of graduation. There are 22 schools offering Civil Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Civil Engineering graduates earn in California?

Civil Engineering graduates in California earn an average of $66,328 within two years of graduation. This is 10% above the national average of $60,166 for this major.

What is the hardest Civil Engineering school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Civil Engineering program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Civil Engineering programs in the state is 58.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Civil Engineering in California?

In California, private Civil Engineering programs produce average earnings of $72,166 vs $64,611 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 17 public and 5 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 Computer Science $72,889

All colleges in California →

Civil Engineering in Other States

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