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 2025
Stanford University offers 3 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 729 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 383 Master's degrees, 293 Bachelor's degrees, and 53 Doctoral degrees.
University of California-Berkeley offers 5 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 1,792 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 1,731 Bachelor's degrees, 46 Doctoral degrees, and 15 Master's degrees.
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 2023, 70 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 67 Bachelor's degrees, 2 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Master's degree.
University of Southern California offers 5 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 1,615 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 1,221 Master's degrees, 341 Bachelor's degrees, and 53 Doctoral degrees.
Harvey Mudd College offers 1 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 55 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 55 Bachelor's 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 2023, 1,083 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 527 Master's degrees, 518 Bachelor's degrees, and 38 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 2023, 781 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 522 Bachelor's degrees, 237 Master's degrees, and 22 Doctoral degrees.
University of California-Santa Cruz offers 9 General Computer Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 854 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 750 Bachelor's degrees, 92 Master's degrees, and 12 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 2023, 522 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 411 Bachelor's degrees, 100 Master's degrees, and 11 Doctoral degrees.
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 2023, 521 General Computer Science students graduated with students earning 340 Bachelor's degrees, 153 Master's degrees, and 28 Doctoral degrees.
Top schools offering General Computer Science degrees in California
General Computer Science
- Computer Science Schools
- Computer and Information Sciences Schools
- Computer/information Technology Services Administration and Management Schools
- Computer Graphics Schools
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst Schools
- Human Computer Interaction Schools
- Computer and Information Sciences Schools
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Schools
List of all General Computer Science colleges in California
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stanford University Stanford, CA | 12 : 1 | 18,446 | |
|
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 23 : 1 | 45,699 | |
|
California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA | 8 : 1 | 2,463 | |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | 22 : 1 | 47,147 | |
|
Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA | 9 : 1 | 949 | |