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2023 Best Value Colleges for Engineering (Income Over $110k) in California

32 Ranked Colleges
25,212 Degrees Awarded
$25,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 198,468 engineering students received their degree, making the major the 7th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,653 and had an average of $23,855 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 25,212 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,831 and $20,014 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Engineering (Income Over $110k) in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 387 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

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%.

Full Cal State LA Engineering Report

2

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 1,342 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. 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 UCLA Engineering Report

3

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 611 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #21 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Engineering at California State University - Fullerton

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 786 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make more than $110k list, CSULB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at CSULB

5
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 777 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,845 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SDSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SDSU Engineering Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 2,047 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,240 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at UCSD

7

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school handed out 1,403 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,677 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Cal Poly 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 94%.

Read full report on Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

8
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #8, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,943 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Engineering at San Jose State University

9

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. Cal Poly Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,089 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #16 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,304 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Engineering Report

10

University of California - Berkeley landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 1,982 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,032 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

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 more about Engineering at University of California - Berkeley

11

California State University - Fresno landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. California State University - Fresno is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 226 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering at Fresno State

12

California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 597 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 full report on Engineering at California State University - Sacramento

13

California State University - Northridge landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 539 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $8,523 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend CSUN.

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 Engineering at California State University - Northridge

14

With a ranking of #14, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 1,248 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

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

Read more about Engineering at UC Davis

15

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #15. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,418 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,209 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Irvine.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at UC Irvine

16

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking. CSUB is a fairly large public school situated in Bakersfield, California. It awarded 70 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,454 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend CSUB.

Read full report on Engineering at CSUB

17

California State University - Chico ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 230 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at California State University - Chico

18

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 366 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make more than $110k list, UCSB has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $16,252 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Engineering Report

19

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 691 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $11,822 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

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

Full University of California - Riverside Engineering Report

20
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 286 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,459 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SFSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SFSU Engineering Report

21
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 1,121 students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $12,894 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Full Stanford Engineering Report

22
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

With a ranking of #22, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,956 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Humboldt State University.

Read full report on Engineering at Humboldt State University

23

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #23 on this year’s Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 221 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #15 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k.

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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Engineering Report

24

University of California - Merced ranked #24 on this year’s Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k list. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 468 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make more than $110k list, UC Merced has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,691 for california engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UC Merced.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Engineering at UC Merced

25
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Engineering Schools in California For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 176 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $26,719 for California Engineering students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend California Baptist University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at California Baptist University

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