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2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California

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

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value CompSci 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 19th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $66,561 and had an average of $23,565 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 12,060 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $70,794 and $21,538 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.

For this year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 294 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students 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 full report on Computer Science at University of California - San Diego

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at UC Irvine

#3

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Santa Barbara. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 31 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCSB Computer Science Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 14 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Berkeley

#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 CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 96 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at CSULB

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fullerton Computer Science Report

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full SDSU Computer Science Report

#8

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at San Jose State University

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 58 masters’s compsci degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at Cal State LA

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 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 UCR are $28,686.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Riverside

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

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

California State University - Northridge came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 12 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #20 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 - Northridge are $17,955.

Read more about Computer Science at CSUN

#13

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s 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 University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 39 masters’s compsci 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 Sac State are $18,356.

Full Sac State Computer Science Report

#15

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read more about Computer Science at SFSU

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Computer Science Report

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State East Bay are $17,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - East Bay Computer Science Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 10 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSM also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at CSUSM

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUDH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 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 - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Dominguez Hills

#20

National University

La Jolla, California

National University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value CompSci 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.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students list, National University has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full National University Computer Science Report

#21

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#8 in overall quality

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #21. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 38 masters’s compsci degrees 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of San Francisco

#22

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 996 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about Computer Science at University of Southern California

#23

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Stanford University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 306 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at Stanford University

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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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