2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
39
Ranked Colleges
13,342
Degrees Awarded
$7,700
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 59,565 people earned their degree in computer science, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $67,538 and had an average of $23,620 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 13,342 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,080 and $19,754 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 39 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Computer Science (Income $0-$30k) in California
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 628 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $1,233 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford University.
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%. 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.
Read more about Computer Science at Stanford
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 84 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
Caltech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Institute of Technology is $-539 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Computer Science at Caltech
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 CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 856 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Berkeley Computer Science Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 868 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $9,823 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, 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 University of California - San Diego
Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pomona College landed the #5 spot on the list. Pomona is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 33 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
Pomona also took the #8 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pomona is $8,629 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full Pomona College Computer Science Report
University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 1,007 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Irvine
California State University - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 182 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $1,887 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 215 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $10,568 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of California - Santa Barbara Computer Science Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 397 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #10, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,386 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also made our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,287 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Computer Science at USC
University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 729 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $11,038 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Computer Science Report
With a ranking of #12, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 381 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Computer Science at SDSU
With a ranking of #13, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 316 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,810 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k 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 University of California - Riverside
With a ranking of #14, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 - Northridge came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 228 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN
California State University - Long Beach ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 304 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Long Beach
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 206 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #11 spot in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 90 degrees to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,657 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUDH.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Dominguez Hills
California State University - Fresno came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 69 ’s compsci degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
California State University - San Bernardino landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUSB is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 California State University - San Bernardino Computer Science Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 297 ’s compsci degrees 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 $10,349 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 87%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Computer Science Report
Harvey Mudd College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
Harvey Mudd College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,492 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harvey Mudd College.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 Harvey Mudd College
San Jose State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 287 ’s compsci degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Computer Science Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,158 for California CompSci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full San Jose State Computer Science Report
California State University - Stanislaus landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s compsci students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,122 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k 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 California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - East Bay ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s compsci degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for california compsci students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Science at California State University - East Bay
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