Best Computer Science Schools in California

California has 41 colleges offering Computer Science programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 4,524 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $72,889 on average within two years — 7% above the national average of $68,283, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Pomona College graduates earn $128,737 while Southern California Institute of Technology graduates earn $45,529 — a $83,208 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$72,889

CA Avg. Earnings

$68,283

National Avg.

389

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Computer Science in California

Public Schools (28)

$68,040

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (12)

$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

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private

$128,737

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $110,738

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 6.8%

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$136,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $136,126

Graduates: 96

Acceptance: 3.9%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$125,388

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $125,250

Graduates: 313

Acceptance: 11.7%

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $129,693

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 3.1%

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, CA · Private

$142,581

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $123,339

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 13.1%

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%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $91,351

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: 29.8%

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$72,796

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $79,314

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 50.8%

#10

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $83,862

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 46.8%

#11

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$81,554

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $86,276

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 27.8%

#12

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA · Private

$62,260

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,076

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 94.9%

#13

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$74,241

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,808

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 93.7%

#14

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$73,128

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,796

Graduates: 505

Acceptance: 25.6%

#15

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$63,530

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,040

Graduates: 337

Acceptance: 62.5%

#16

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$65,387

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,738

Graduates: 103

Acceptance: 96.8%

#17

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,647

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: 63.3%

#18

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,871

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 55.6%

#19

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$77,715

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,348

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 94.7%

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$68,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,088

Graduates: 166

Acceptance: 96.2%

#21

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$64,394

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,217

Graduates: 240

Acceptance: 73.7%

#22

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

$61,516

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,412

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 94.8%

#23

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$62,792

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,701

Graduates: 189

Acceptance: 47.1%

#24

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$75,047

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,782

Graduates: 120

Acceptance: 93.2%

#25

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$73,635

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,899

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 93.1%

#26

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$66,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,997

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 34.4%

#27

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$71,015

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,962

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 95.7%

#28

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$72,899

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,756

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: N/A

#29

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$67,240

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $62,510

Graduates: 191

Acceptance: 93.6%

#30

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,088

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 91.9%

#31

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$67,101

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,224

Graduates: 195

Acceptance: 86.7%

#32

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private

$47,260

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,368

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 60.1%

#34

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$57,995

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,247

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 88.9%

#35

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$74,953

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,074

Graduates: 94

Acceptance: 80.2%

#36

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$58,221

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,267

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 98.3%

#37

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$53,775

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,497

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 98.8%

#38

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$49,918

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,765

Graduates: 71

Acceptance: 97.5%

#39

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$54,322

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,405

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 96.4%

#40

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$60,320

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,986

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 91.3%

#41

Southern California Institute of Technology

Anaheim, CA · For-Profit

$45,529

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 87.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Computer Science in California?

Pomona College ranks #1 for Computer Science in California with median graduate earnings of $128,737 within two years of graduation. There are 41 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 7% above the national average of $68,283 for this major.

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

California Institute of Technology is the most selective Computer Science program in California with an acceptance rate of 3.1%. The average acceptance rate across Computer Science programs in the state is 65.1%.

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 28 public and 12 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388 Civil Engineering $66,328

All colleges in California →

Computer Science in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.