College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k) in California

39 Ranked Colleges
13,342 Degrees Awarded
$8,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Computer Science is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 8th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 59,565 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across California, there were 13,342 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality computer science programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the computer science program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Computer Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The computer science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 628 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $1,581 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Stanford

2

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 84 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

Caltech also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Caltech is $12,190 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Computer Science at California Institute of Technology

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 856 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,999 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Computer Science Report

4

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 868 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCSD

5

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 1,007 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Computer Science at UC Irvine

6
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 33 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

Pomona also took the #8 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pomona College is $6,239 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Computer Science at Pomona College

7

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 182 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $2,701 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Computer Science Report

8

California State University - Fullerton landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 397 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $5,821 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Cal State Fullerton

9

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 215 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $11,606 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UCSB Computer Science Report

10

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 729 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,049 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Santa Cruz

11
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,386 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $17,345 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Southern California

12

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 228 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

CSUN also took the #24 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $7,103 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at CSUN

13

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 316 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCR has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,193 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCR

14

California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at Sac State

15

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUDH is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 90 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Dominguez Hills is $3,329 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Dominguez Hills

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $4,655 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Fresno

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 381 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,274 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Computer Science Report

18

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 304 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

CSULB also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $7,573 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full CSULB Computer Science Report

19

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 90 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSUSB Computer Science Report

20

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 297 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,992 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal Poly Pomona

21

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,903 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Computer Science at Stan State

22

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school awarded 206 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $13,194 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

23
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 287 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,378 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State Computer Science Report

24

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 280 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $11,025 for california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - East Bay

25

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 68 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california computer science students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUCI has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $13,125 for California Computer Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Computer Science at CSUCI

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options