Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall computer & information sciences education in California.
Our analysis ranked Santa Clara University the best school in the country for a degree in computer & information sciences. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 122 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $79,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144.
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University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 2,291 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $91,719 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,559 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong computer & information sciences program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 828 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $169,187 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,399 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong computer & information sciences program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 516 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,248 in student loans.
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California Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer & information sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 96 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer & information sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
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University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for computer & information sciences this year. 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. University Of California San Diego awarded about 1,123 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $145,372 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,550 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Davis came in at #7 for computer & information sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 490 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,343 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,282 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California came in at #8 for computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 2,100 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $124,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,372.
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University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #9 for computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 239 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $107,776 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best computer & information sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 439 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Pomona College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best computer & information sciences schools. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 65 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from Pomona College earn around $143,084 in the first couple years of their career.
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University Of California Santa Cruz placed #12 among the best computer & information sciences schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 890 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $58,143 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,953.
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University Of California Irvine earned the #13 position for computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 1,007 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $63,740 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #14 among the best computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 247 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $111,141 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,298 in student loans.
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Dominican University Of California placed #15 among the best computer & information sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Rafael. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. About 25 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at Dominican University Of California in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from Dominican University Of California earn around $70,752 in the first couple years of their career. Dominican University Of California graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of San Francisco came in at #16 for computer & information sciences this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 217 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $128,512 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,792 to complete this degree.
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University Of San Diego landed the #17 spot for computer & information sciences this year. 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. About 146 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from University Of San Diego earn around $102,958 in the first couple years of their career. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $19,719 in student loans.
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Westmont College placed #18 among the best computer & information sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 11 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at Westmont College in the most recent year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Westmont College earn a median of $83,026 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,773 to complete this degree.
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Loyola Marymount University earned the #19 position for computer & information sciences this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 77 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $79,763 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Riverside came in at #20 for computer & information sciences this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 588 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $80,571 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree.
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Point Loma Nazarene University placed #21 among the best computer & information sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 32 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $71,111 in their early career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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San Diego State University earned the #22 position for computer & information sciences this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 304 computer & information sciences degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer & information sciences program make about $74,523 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,378.
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University Of Redlands placed #23 among the best computer & information sciences schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Redlands awarded about 11 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from University Of Redlands earn around $57,218 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,175.
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Claremont Graduate University landed the #24 spot for computer & information sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 50 computer & information sciences students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Graduate University in the most recent data year. Computer & Information Sciences graduates of Claremont Graduate University earn a median of $68,239 early in their careers.
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California State University Chico placed #25 among the best computer & information sciences schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. About 63% of students finish within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 161 computer & information sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer & information sciences degree from California State University Chico earn around $51,504 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,862.
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Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong computer & information sciences education:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for computer & information sciences:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 228 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.
