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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

29 Ranked Colleges
7,805 Degrees Awarded
$26,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Engineering is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 200,458 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,888 and had an average of $23,564 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 25,440 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,620 and $21,114 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 7,805 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the 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 Engineering Schools

The engineering 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 Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 654 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 75 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Caltech has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Caltech Engineering Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 842 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at University of California - Berkeley

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 448 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 257 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at University of California - Irvine

#25 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at Cal State LA

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 42 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fresno Engineering Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 686 diplomas to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Full University of California - San Diego Engineering Report

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 261 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at Cal State Fullerton

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 130 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Riverside Engineering Report

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 92 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at San Diego State University

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at University of California - Santa Barbara

#10 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 186 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #10 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Read full report on Engineering at UC Davis

#20 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 111 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784.

Full CSULB Engineering Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 81 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955.

Read full report on Engineering at California State University - Northridge

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 161 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #11 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Engineering Report

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#13 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 962 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at San Jose State

#18 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 70 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,328 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at USC

#24 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 61 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Full Sac State Engineering Report

#21

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at UC Santa Cruz

#22

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Full SFSU Engineering Report

With a ranking of #23, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Chico State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at California State University - Chico

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854.

Full University of California - Merced Engineering Report

#25

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California

With a ranking of #25, Sonoma State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rohnert Park, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

SSU also took the #0 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SSU are $18,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at Sonoma State University

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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

Footnotes

  • *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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