2026 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among computer engineering schools in California. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $84,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,759 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $79,809 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for computer engineering. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,043. Set against $18,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for computer engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,548 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $75,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #5 place for computer engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $66,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,486 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $75,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,486 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,497 in student loans. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $96,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $18,073. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $70,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for value in computer engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $19,233. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $79,812. That is a strong return on a $19,233 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in computer engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced placed #14 among the best values for computer engineering. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $19,086 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $58,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $20,148 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $53,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,148 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside placed #16 among the best values for computer engineering. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $25,083. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $65,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #17 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,410 to complete the computer engineering program here. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $91,387. That is a strong return on a $14,410 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Sonoma State University earned the #18 position for value in computer engineering this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $51,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #19 position for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,103 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $14,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Davis came in at #20 for value in computer engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $96,418. That is a strong return on a $12,804 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 for value in computer engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $20,556. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $111,560. That is a strong return on a $20,556 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #22 spot for computer engineering value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,248 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $76,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for computer engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,392 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $100,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Ashford University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $39,515 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $48,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California came in at #25 for value in computer engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the computer engineering program here. Computer Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer engineering:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- 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.
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
