2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in California
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value electrical engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,676 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,169. Set against $14,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for electrical engineering. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,054 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $63,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for electrical engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,440. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $75,207. Set against $17,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,278. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,430 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $74,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,430 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $59,672 early in their careers. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #8 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,342. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $95,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,342 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #10 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $159,472. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #11 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,812. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $80,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for value in electrical 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 electrical engineering graduates is $19,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $80,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #14 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,954 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $66,430 early in their careers. Set against $19,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $67,345. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #16 position for value in electrical 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 $15,571 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,571 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,877. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $102,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Sonoma State University came in at #18 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,031. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,247. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,437. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $167,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
California State University Chico placed #20 among the best values for electrical engineering. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #22 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,449 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $90,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,449 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #23 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,165 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $75,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #24 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,048. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Electrical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for electrical engineering this year:
More Electrical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
