Best colleges for Computer Science in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, Pomona College leads: its Computer Science graduates earn a median $217,051 four years after finishing, against the field's $107,009 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pomona College | $217,051 | +$110,042 |
| 2 | Stanford University | $214,907 | +$107,898 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley | $204,379 | +$97,370 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | $192,897 | +$85,888 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Computer Science?
By graduate earnings, Pomona College — its Computer Science bachelor's graduates earn a median $217,051 four years out, the highest of the 4 California programs in the federal file.
What do Computer Science graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $192,897 to $217,051. The field's national median is $107,009.
Is a Computer Science degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Computer Science graduates earn $58,649/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.