Best General Computer Science colleges in California

Computer science students take courses that teach them how to write code, build computers, and develop websites or programs like Venmo and Excel. This degree provides the foundation for career paths in software development and network connectivity. Students have the option of enrolling in a bachelor's program or completing a condensed coding course to prepare themselves for working full-time, and some elect to pursue paid internships before graduation.

While many graduates work at tech companies and in aerospace, some set out to build their own startups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that opportunities for network and computer system administrators will exceed 30,000 positions in California, with mean salaries approaching $105,000. Working in this sector necessitates a functional understanding of algorithms and computer code, and to prepare for working as a developer or engineer, many develop ideas for websites and apps that they create in collaboration with their peers in classroom settings. 

California is home to many institutions that have computer science departments with access to alumni networks in iconic tech hot-spots like Silicon Valley. The state has an abundance of job opportunities in the Bay Area, as well as farther south in the Los Angeles metro.

Best General Computer Science colleges in California for 2024

Stanford University
Stanford, CA
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Stanford University offers 4 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 656 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 334 Master's degrees, 277 Bachelor's degrees, and 45 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Berkeley offers 4 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 1,572 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 1,517 Bachelor's degrees, 47 Doctoral degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.

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California Institute of Technology offers 3 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 78 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 77 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.

University of Southern California offers 6 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 1,064 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 707 Master's degrees, 319 Bachelor's degrees, and 38 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-San Diego offers 4 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 845 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 591 Bachelor's degrees, 211 Master's degrees, and 43 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Irvine offers 13 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 989 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 806 Bachelor's degrees, 158 Master's degrees, and 25 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Santa Cruz offers 8 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 785 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 705 Bachelor's degrees, 67 Master's degrees, and 13 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Davis offers 3 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 488 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 402 Bachelor's degrees, 68 Master's degrees, and 18 Doctoral degrees.

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University of California-Los Angeles offers 3 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 507 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 348 Bachelor's degrees, 116 Master's degrees, and 43 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Santa Barbara offers 3 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2022, 220 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 161 Bachelor's degrees, 46 Master's degrees, and 13 Doctoral degrees.

List of all General Computer Science colleges in California

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Stanford University Logo Stanford University Stanford, CA
5/5
13 : 1 18,283
University of California-Berkeley Logo University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA
3/5
24 : 1 45,307
California Institute of Technology Logo California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA
5/5
7 : 1 2,401
University of Southern California Logo University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
5/5
23 : 1 48,945
Harvey Mudd College Logo Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA
5/5
8 : 1 922