College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for General Computer Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

22 Ranked Colleges
2,450 Degrees Awarded
$9,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 13,520 people earned their degree in general computer engineering, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 2,450 general computer engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in general computer engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general computer engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general computer engineering 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More General Computer Engineering Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Computer Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 92 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Computer Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 205 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $9,823 for California General Computer Engineering 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSD General Computer Engineering Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 221 ’s general computer engineering degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $6,540 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Irvine.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Irvine General Computer Engineering Report

4

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #4 spot on the list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s general computer engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at University of California - Davis

5
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jose State University landed the #5 spot on the list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general computer engineering degrees to 351 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $12,158 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at San Jose State

6
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 107 diplomas to qualified ’s general computer engineering students in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at USC

7

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general computer engineering degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo General Computer Engineering Report

8

California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s general computer engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fullerton General Computer Engineering Report

9
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 87 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $7,169 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 General Computer Engineering at SDSU

10

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 84 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,038 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

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 General Computer Engineering Report

11

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 99 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $10,349 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona

12

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 74 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,163 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at Sac State

13

California State University - Northridge came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 53 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,266 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Computer Engineering at CSUN

14

University of California - Riverside came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s general computer engineering degrees to qualified students.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $6,810 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Read more about General Computer Engineering at UCR

15

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 62 degrees to qualified ’s general computer engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCSB has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,568 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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 General Computer Engineering at University of California - Santa Barbara

16

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 17 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $3,859 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full California State University - Fresno General Computer Engineering Report

17

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s general computer engineering degrees to qualified students.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 - Long Beach General Computer Engineering Report

18

University of California - Merced ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 198 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $10,363 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Merced General Computer Engineering Report

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general computer engineering degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California State University - San Bernardino General Computer Engineering Report

20
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 228 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

SCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Clara University is $26,428 for California General Computer Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on General Computer Engineering at Santa Clara University

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 11 ’s general computer engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $5,238 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Computer Engineering at CSUB

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Computer Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school handed out 41 degrees to qualified ’s general computer engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for california general computer engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFSU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU General Computer Engineering Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options