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2027 Best Engineering Schools in California

90 Colleges in the United States
24,161 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$67,981 Avg Early-Career Salary

Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their engineering programs.

College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Engineering in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Engineering

1

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 2,426 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $115,969 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,930 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from University Of California Berkeley

2
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of San Francisco one of the top schools for engineering. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $65,223 early in their careers. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for University Of San Francisco

3

University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 1,767 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $98,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,783 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 1,573 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $92,791 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

5
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 1,186 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $111,465 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. More information about a degree in engineering from Stanford University

6

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,352 engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $90,241 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,400 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

7

University Of California San Diego ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 2,034 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $85,676 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $18,235 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for University Of California San Diego

8

California Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best engineering schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 263 engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the engineering program at California Institute Of Technology

9

University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 1,415 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $76,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,099 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for University Of California Irvine

10

San Jose State University came in at #10 for engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 1,390 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full engineering details for San Jose State University

11

University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 1,019 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $81,936 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,668 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for University Of California Davis

12

Claremont Mckenna College placed #12 among the best engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $66,028 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Claremont Mckenna College

13
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College earned the #13 position for engineering this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Westmont College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Westmont College earn around $44,240 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,773 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Westmont College

14
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #14 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 560 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $121,658 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,197. More information about a degree in engineering from Santa Clara University

15
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College landed the #15 spot for engineering this year. Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 92% of students finish within six years. Harvey Mudd College awarded about 66 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Harvey Mudd College earn around $92,491 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,240. Read more about the engineering program at Harvey Mudd College

16

San Diego State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 761 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $77,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,122 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for San Diego State University

17

Chapman University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 37 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Chapman University earn around $50,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. Read more about the engineering program at Chapman University

18

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #18 position for engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 419 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $86,308 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,001 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for University Of California Santa Barbara

19

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #19 for engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 1,165 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $76,030 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $19,230 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

20

University Of California San Francisco ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 43 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of California San Francisco earn a median of $118,532 early in their careers. Read more about the engineering program at University Of California San Francisco

21

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #21 for engineering this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 15 engineering degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $54,116 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Point Loma Nazarene University

22

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #22 spot for engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 277 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $94,006 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,289. Read more about the engineering program at University Of California Santa Cruz

23

California State University Sacramento landed the #23 spot for engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 455 engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $77,102. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for California State University Sacramento

24

California Maritime Academy landed the #24 spot for engineering this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 25 engineering degrees were awarded at California Maritime Academy in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $92,315 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690. See the full engineering program report for California Maritime Academy

25

California State University Channel Islands placed #25 among the best engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Camarillo. California State University Channel Islands graduates 51% of students within six years. About 14 engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,997. More information about a degree in engineering from California State University Channel Islands

Rest of the Top 50 Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering ranking:

26
27
28
29
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
30
31
Biola University crest
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
32
Mills College crest
Mills College
Oakland, CA
33
34
35
36
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
37
38
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
39
40
41
42
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
43
44
45
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
46
47
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
48
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
49
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
50

View All Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 90 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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