Best Computer Engineering colleges in California 2025

Best Computer Engineering colleges in California for 2025

With the number of well-paying positions available in California’s high-tech economy, studying computer engineering at this well-respected private school in Los Angeles seems like an ideal start. You might even want to start building that resume as an undergrad by taking advantage of the school’s summer research experiences. 

USC also awards master’s and doctoral degrees in computer engineering. And while the university enrolls more than 46,000 students, attendees rave about the personalized experience.

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University offers 4 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 318 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 240 Master's degrees, 74 Bachelor's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.

Image by @with_jiyoung

Much like USC, UCLA’s proximity to major tech employers makes it attractive to aspiring computer engineers. Students take courses through both the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Computer Science Department. 

While students get a solid foundation in computer hardware and software, they also can focus on emerging technology such as robotic systems and mobile/wearable/implantable computing devices. A highlight of the undergraduate program is a capstone project completed over two academic quarters in which students work in teams to build a connected system of their own design. Employers do love to see evidence of being a team player!

University of California-Santa Barbara offers 1 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2023, 58 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 58 Bachelor's degrees.

University of California-Davis offers 1 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2023, 102 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 102 Bachelor's degrees.

University of California-San Diego offers 3 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 264 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 174 Bachelor's degrees, 86 Master's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Santa Cruz offers 3 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 109 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 97 Bachelor's degrees, 10 Doctoral degrees, and 2 Master's degrees.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers 1 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2023, 83 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 83 Bachelor's degrees.

University of California-Irvine offers 3 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 259 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 191 Bachelor's degrees, 58 Master's degrees, and 10 Doctoral degrees.

San Diego State University offers 2 Computer Engineering, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 124 Computer Engineering, General students graduated with students earning 122 Bachelor's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.

List of all Computer Engineering colleges in California

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
University of Southern California Logo University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
5/5
22 : 1 47,147
Santa Clara University Logo Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
5/5
14 : 1 9,340
University of California-Los Angeles Logo University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
3/5
23 : 1 46,678
University of California-Santa Barbara Logo University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
3/5
24 : 1 26,068
University of California-Davis Logo University of California-Davis Davis, CA
4/5
23 : 1 39,707