2026 Best Computer Science Schools in California
Computer Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 144 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best computer science schools.
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Best Schools for Computer Science in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the computer science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Computer Science
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best computer science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 846 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $149,866. Typical student debt for the program is $13,900.
See the full computer science program report for University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer science, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 828 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $169,187. Typical student debt for the program is $10,399.
More information about a degree in computer science from Stanford University
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for computer science. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 514 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
More information about a degree in computer science from University Of California Los Angeles
California Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 94 computer science degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career.
Get the full computer science details for California Institute Of Technology
Students looking for a strong computer science program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 854 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $130,134. Students borrow a median of $16,550 to complete this degree.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of California San Diego
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 432 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in computer science from University Of California Davis
University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 1,533 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $135,914 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,178 to complete this degree.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of Southern California
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #8 position for computer science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 239 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $107,776. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in computer science from University Of California Santa Barbara
Pomona College earned the #9 position for computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 computer science degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $143,084 early in their careers.
Read more about the computer science program at Pomona College
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for computer science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 792 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $115,319 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of California Irvine
San Jose State University came in at #11 for computer science this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 274 computer science degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in computer science from San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot for computer science this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 717 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $75,150 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,666 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in computer science from University Of California Santa Cruz
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #13 spot for computer science this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 247 computer science students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $111,141 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,298 to complete this degree.
See the full computer science program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $104,948. Students borrow a median of $19,719 to complete this degree.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of San Diego
University Of San Francisco ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 70% of students finish within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 91 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $89,915. Typical student debt for the program is $22,792.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of San Francisco
University Of California Riverside placed #16 among the best computer science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 503 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $81,034 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,083.
Read more about the computer science program at University Of California Riverside
De Anza College landed the #17 spot for computer science this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. De Anza College awarded about 144 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans.
See the full computer science program report for De Anza College
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #18 among the best computer science schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 11 computer science degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $54,116 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in computer science from Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego State University earned the #19 position for computer science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 279 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $74,523 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,499.
Read more about the computer science program at San Diego State University
Concordia University Irvine came in at #20 for computer science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 16 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $58,590 in their early career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans.
Read more about the computer science program at Concordia University Irvine
California State University Chico placed #21 among the best computer science schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. California State University Chico awarded about 105 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $81,021. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
Read more about the computer science program at California State University Chico
Harvey Mudd College placed #22 among the best computer science schools. Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Harvey Mudd College graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Harvey Mudd College earn around $132,265 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,949.
See the full computer science program report for Harvey Mudd College
Chapman University landed the #23 spot for computer science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $67,125 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $24,109 in student loans.
Get the full computer science details for Chapman University
California State University Sacramento came in at #24 for computer science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 390 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $60,028. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Read more about the computer science program at California State University Sacramento
California State University Northridge placed #25 among the best computer science schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 316 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $62,821 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,483 to complete this degree.
See the full computer science program report for California State University Northridge
Rest of the Top 50 Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science ranking:
More Computer Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 144 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
