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2024 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering in California

29 Ranked Colleges
4,697 Degrees Awarded
$15,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value EE Schools in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value EE Schools in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 28,844 people earned their degree in electrical engineering, making the major the 39th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, electrical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $74,380 and had an average of $24,114 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 4,697 electrical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $83,119 and $20,327 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value EE Schools in California” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent electrical engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the electrical engineering program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Electrical Engineering Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value EE Schools in California” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 EE Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california ee students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering 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 EE Schools in California. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 367 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for california ee students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Electrical Engineering Report

2

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value EE Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 730 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for california ee students.

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 1.8% 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 full report on Electrical Engineering at University of California - Berkeley

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value EE Schools in California. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 410 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,240 for california ee students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at University of California - San Diego

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 161 degrees to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #7 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,677 for California EE students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

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 95%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

5

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value EE Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 165 ’s ee degrees to qualified students.

CSULB also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $10,054 for California EE students per year to attend CSULB.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Electrical Engineering Report

6

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 165 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #14 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California EE 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Electrical Engineering Report

7
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #7, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 286 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, San Jose State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,542 for california ee students per year to attend San Jose State University.

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%. 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 Electrical Engineering at San Jose State University

8

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking, coming in at #8. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,209 for california ee students per year to attend UC Irvine.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at University of California - Irvine

9

University of California - Davis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ee degrees to 69 students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California EE students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at UC Davis

10

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 152 ’s ee degrees to qualified students.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for California EE students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at UCSB

11
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 145 diplomas to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, SDSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for california ee students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Electrical Engineering at San Diego State University

12

California State University - Northridge ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in California list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 98 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for California EE students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Full CSUN Electrical Engineering Report

13

California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 113 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, Sac State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California EE students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at California State University - Sacramento

14

University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in California list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 129 degrees to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, UCR has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for california ee students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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%.

Full UCR Electrical Engineering Report

15

California State University - Fullerton landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 73 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california ee students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Cal State Fullerton

16

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

Chico State also made our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $16,218 for california ee students per year to attend California State University - Chico.

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 Electrical Engineering at California State University - Chico

17

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,930 for california ee students per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at UC Santa Cruz

18

California State University - Fresno came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,230 for California EE students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fresno Electrical Engineering Report

19

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 118 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, Cal State LA has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for California EE students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Electrical Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles

20
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 44 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california ee students list, SFSU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $14,459 for california ee students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at SFSU

21
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California ranking. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,563 for California EE students per year to attend Sonoma State University.

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 Electrical Engineering at Sonoma State University

22
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in California list. Located in La Jolla, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s ee students in 2020-2021.

National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for california ee students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full National University Electrical Engineering Report

23

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in California list. California State University - Bakersfield is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 24 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUB is $7,454 for California EE students.

Full CSUB Electrical Engineering Report

24

Southern California Institute of Technology ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value EE Schools in California list. Southern California Institute of Technology is a small school located in Anaheim, California that handed out 45 ’s ee degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern California Institute of Technology is $27,063 for California EE 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 Southern California Institute of Technology Electrical Engineering Report

25
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #25, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value EE Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ee degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Loyola Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Electrical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $44,467 for California EE students per year to attend Loyola Marymount.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, 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 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Electrical Engineering at Loyola Marymount University

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