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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
2,764 Degrees Awarded
$23,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Computer Science is the 11th most popular major in the country with 53,722 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across California, there were 12,060 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,764 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 25 colleges that offered a degree in computer science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree computer science students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 306 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree computer science students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Computer Science at Stanford University

#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Computer Science Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #3 spot on the list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 294 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree computer science students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at UCSD

#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Read more about Computer Science at CSUDH

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Fullerton

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 65 degrees to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456.

Full University of California - Irvine Computer Science Report

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 18 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581.

Read more about Computer Science at Fresno State

#4 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Computer Science at UC Berkeley

#13 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 96 diplomas to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Read more about Computer Science at CSULB

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Northridge

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCR

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at UCSB

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 42 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SDSU Computer Science Report

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #14, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 6 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB Computer Science Report

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 39 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree computer science students with aid list, Sac State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sac State Computer Science Report

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Computer Science Report

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 42 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State University Computer Science Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at CSUSM

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 58 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State East Bay not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal State East Bay

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 39 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #7 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at University of California - Santa Cruz

#21

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at SFSU

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUCI is a medium-sized school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 9 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUCI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUCI are $17,755.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Channel Islands

#23

National University

La Jolla, California
#18 in overall quality

National University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 35 degrees to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at National University

#24

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 996 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

USC also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at USC

#25

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#8 in overall quality

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Located in San Francisco, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

USFCA also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at USFCA

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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