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2023 Most Focused Colleges for General Engineering in California

27 Ranked Colleges
475 Degrees Awarded
$34,300 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major 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 “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Engineering is the 96th most popular major in the country with 9,018 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across California, there were 475 general engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in general engineering. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their general engineering program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California

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

Top 27 Most Focused Colleges for General Engineering in California

1
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvey Mudd College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 58 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Engineering at Harvey Mudd College

2
Pacific crest
University of the Pacific
Stockton, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of the Pacific. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California. Stockton, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

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 1.7% 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 Pacific General Engineering Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at UC Davis

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

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%. 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 Engineering at UCR

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on General Engineering at San Jose State University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s engineering degrees to qualified 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Los Angeles General Engineering Report

7
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #7. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read more about General Engineering at SFSU

8
PUC crest
Pacific Union College
Angwin, California

Pacific Union College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. PUC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Angwin, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full PUC General Engineering Report

9

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about General Engineering at California State University - Fresno

10
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California

Azusa Pacific University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Azusa Pacific General Engineering Report

11
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 General Engineering at USD

12
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #12. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clara, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.

Full SCU General Engineering Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. SMC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Moraga, California. It awarded 2 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Mary’s College of California General Engineering Report

14

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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 General Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

15

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 9 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

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.

Full Cal Poly Pomona General Engineering Report

16

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #16. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley General Engineering Report

17

California State University - Long Beach ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 3 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on General Engineering at CSULB

18

University of California - Irvine came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

19
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at University of San Francisco

19

California State University - Fullerton came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 0 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 89%.

Read more about General Engineering at Cal State Fullerton

19
Westmont crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, California

Westmont College ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 0 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Westmont College

19

California Institute of Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California list. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 0 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Engineering at Caltech

19

California State University - East Bay landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 0 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Cal State East Bay General Engineering Report

19
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Baptist University General Engineering Report

19

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 0 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA General Engineering Report

19
PLNU crest
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, California

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 0 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full PLNU General Engineering Report

19

California State University - Northridge came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in California ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

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 General Engineering at CSUN

Notes and References

References

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