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2026 Best Computational Science Schools in California

2 Colleges in the United States
142 Computational Science Degrees Awarded
$50,078 Avg Early-Career Salary

Computational Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for computational science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Computational Science in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall computational science education in California.

Top Schools in Computational Science

1

University Of California San Diego tops our 2026 ranking of the best computational science schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 15 computational science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computational science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. More information about a degree in computational science from University Of California San Diego

2

University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computational science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 51 computational science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computational science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. See the full computational science program report for University Of California Irvine

3

San Diego State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best computational science schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 computational science students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computational science degree from San Diego State University earn around $51,162 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree. Read more about the computational science program at San Diego State University

4

Chapman University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best computational science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 36 computational science degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Computational Science graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans. See the full computational science program report for Chapman University

5

A rank of #5 makes Modesto Junior College one of the top schools for computational science. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. Modesto Junior College awarded about 19 computational science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computational science degree from Modesto Junior College earn around $36,525 in the first couple years of their career. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Read more about the computational science program at Modesto Junior College

View All Computational Science Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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