2023 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)
40
Ranked Colleges
13,342
Degrees Awarded
$12,600
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 40 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great computer science programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)
Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 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 $12,894 for California Computer Science students with aid per year to attend Stanford.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 Stanford Computer Science Report
Out of the 40 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 856 ’s 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. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for california computer science students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read more about Computer Science at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 868 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for California Computer Science students with aid per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Computer Science at UCSD
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 182 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 1,007 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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 1.4% 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%.
Full University of California - Irvine Computer Science Report
With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 397 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california computer science students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for california computer science students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Cal State Fullerton Computer Science Report
California State University - Northridge came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school handed out 228 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california computer science students with aid list, CSUN has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for California Computer Science students with aid per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Full CSUN Computer Science Report
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 215 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $16,252 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSB Computer Science Report
California State University - Sacramento ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 310 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for California Computer Science students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read more about Computer Science at Sac State
California State University - Long Beach came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 304 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,054 for california computer science students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,026 for California Computer Science students with aid per year to attend CSUDH.
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 CSUDH
With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 316 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california computer science students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at UCR
San Diego State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 381 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,845 for california computer science students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full SDSU Computer Science Report
California State University - Fresno ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 69 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,230 for California Computer Science students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Fresno State Computer Science Report
Pomona College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california computer science students with aid list, Pomona has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pomona College is $17,949 for california computer science students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Computer Science at Pomona
With a ranking of #16, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 729 students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $17,930 for california computer science students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Santa Cruz
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 90 degrees to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,107 for california computer science students with aid per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at CSUSB
California Institute of Technology came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s computer science degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california computer science students with aid list, Caltech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Caltech is $26,542 for california computer science students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Computer Science at Caltech
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s computer science degrees to 297 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Computer Science at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
With a ranking of #20, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State University is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 287 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $16,542 for California Computer Science students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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.
Read more about Computer Science at San Jose State University
California State University - East Bay ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 280 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for california computer science students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at California State University - East Bay
California State University - Channel Islands landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s computer science students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUCI, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUCI is $14,928 for California Computer Science students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at CSUCI
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 78 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for california computer science students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national 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 California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - San Marcos came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 217 ’s computer science degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for California Computer Science students with aid.
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%.
Full California State University - San Marcos Computer Science Report
California State University - Chico came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california computer science students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Chico
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