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2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California

23 Ranked Colleges
2,764 Degrees Awarded
$24,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master's in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 53,722 people earned their degree in computer science, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States.

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” ranking looked at 23 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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

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

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in California

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 294 degrees to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #3 spot 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 UCSD are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Computer Science Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Computer Science Report

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 31 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 University of California - Santa Barbara

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Berkeley Computer Science Report

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #13 spot 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 California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Computer Science Report

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at Cal State Fullerton

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at SDSU

#8

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#12 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took 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

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #9. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 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 LA are $17,723.

Full Cal State LA Computer Science Report

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 67 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCR

#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 ranking, coming in at #11. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 18 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fresno Computer Science Report

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #20 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Northridge Computer Science Report

#13

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 39 degrees to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Computer Science Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 39 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 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 - Sacramento are $18,356.

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

#15

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 27 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Read more about Computer Science at SFSU

#16 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 28 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal Poly Pomona

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s computer science degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal State East Bay

#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 ranking. CSUSM is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 10 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - San Marcos

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUDH, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUDH Computer Science Report

#20

National University

La Jolla, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, National University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees 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 full report on Computer Science at National University

#21

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#8 in overall quality

University of San Francisco ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s computer science degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USFCA, the school also landed the #8 spot 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 University of San Francisco are $26,710.

Full University of San Francisco Computer Science Report

#22

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 996 degrees to qualified masters’s computer science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree computer science students list, USC has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at USC

#23

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Stanford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Computer Science Schools for a Master’s in California list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 306 masters’s computer science degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Computer Science Report

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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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