2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
23
Ranked Colleges
3,389
Degrees Awarded
$15,600
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Computer Engineering is the 56th most popular major in the country with 17,987 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, computer engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $73,143 and had an average of $24,685 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 3,389 computer engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $78,872 and $20,954 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in computer engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the computer engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Computer Engineering Schools
The ce school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Computer Engineering in California (With Aid)
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 95 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california ce students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 full report on Computer Engineering at UCLA
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s CE degrees to 225 students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for California CE students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Computer Engineering at UCSD
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 330 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for California CE students with aid 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 Computer Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 892 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california ce students with aid list, San Jose State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for california ce students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.
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 Computer Engineering at San Jose State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s CE degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California CE students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 UC Davis Computer Engineering Report
California State University - Fullerton came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 138 degrees to qualified ’s CE students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california ce students with aid list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for california ce students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full California State University - Fullerton Computer Engineering Report
California State University - Northridge ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s CE degrees to qualified students.
CSUN also made our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california ce students with aid.
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 full report on Computer Engineering at CSUN
San Diego State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s CE degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for california ce students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. 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 full report on Computer Engineering at SDSU
California State University - Sacramento came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 76 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for California CE students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Fresno State is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 17 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california ce students with aid list, Fresno State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,230 for california ce students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Fresno State Computer Engineering Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified ’s CE students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for california ce students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - Long Beach ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California CE students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 CSULB Computer Engineering Report
University of California - Riverside came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for california ce students with aid per year to attend UCR.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Computer Engineering at UCR
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 158 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california ce students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Computer Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
University of California - Merced landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 211 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $13,691 for California CE students with aid.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Computer Engineering at UC Merced
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california ce students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at UC Santa Cruz
California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. California State University - San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s CE degrees to qualified students.
CSUSB also made our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $8,107 for California CE students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at CSUSB
With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 62 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,252 for california ce students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
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.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Computer Engineering Report
California State University - Bakersfield ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUB also took the #23 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for california ce students with aid.
Full California State University - Bakersfield Computer Engineering Report
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 41 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,459 for California CE students with aid per year to attend SFSU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at SFSU
With a ranking of #21, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California Baptist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 15 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist also took the #19 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $26,719 for California CE students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at Cal Baptist
University of Southern California landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 107 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $32,569 for California CE students with aid.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Computer Engineering at University of Southern California
Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value CE Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Santa Clara University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 251 ’s CE degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SCU, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Computer Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SCU is $42,614 for California CE students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Computer Engineering at SCU
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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
- *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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