Engineering-Related Fields is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best engineering-related fields schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall engineering-related fields education in California.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 113 engineering-related fields degrees in the most recent data year.
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Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering-related fields, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 203 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering-related fields program make about $117,080 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best engineering-related fields schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 33 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering-related fields degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong engineering-related fields program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 12 engineering-related fields degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering-related fields program make about $79,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 105 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $73,234. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
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California State University East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best engineering-related fields schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
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University Of The Pacific earned the #7 position for engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering-related fields program make about $77,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree.
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California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for engineering-related fields this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 127 engineering-related fields degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering-related fields degree from California State University Northridge earn around $48,437 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering-related fields from California State University Northridge
National University landed the #9 spot for engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 24 engineering-related fields students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering-related fields degree from National University earn around $90,598 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree.
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Art Center College Of Design came in at #10 for engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Art Center College Of Design awarded about 70 engineering-related fields degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering-related fields degree from Art Center College Of Design earn around $66,860 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,250.
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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 · 16 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.
