Best colleges for Computer Engineering in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of California-Los Angeles leads: its Computer Engineering graduates earn a median $228,705 four years after finishing, against the field's $109,015 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | $228,705 | +$119,690 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | $166,369 | +$57,354 |
| 3 | Santa Clara University | $163,765 | +$54,750 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego | $149,139 | +$40,124 |
| 5 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $148,950 | +$39,935 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Computer Engineering?
By graduate earnings, University of California-Los Angeles — its Computer Engineering bachelor's graduates earn a median $228,705 four years out, the highest of the 5 California programs in the federal file.
What do Computer Engineering graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $148,950 to $228,705. The field's national median is $109,015.
Is a Computer Engineering degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Computer Engineering graduates earn $60,655/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.