Best Computer Science Colleges in California (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 46 Computer Science programs in California by the median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. Pomona College leads the list at $217,051, followed by Stanford University at $214,907 and California Institute of Technology at $200,511.
Across the 40 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $217,051 to $58,673, with a median of $102,640.
Public institutions account for 61% of the list, or 28 of the 46 schools. University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page.
California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967, while California Institute of Technology reports the highest six-year completion rate at 94%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Computer Science Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pomona College · Claremont, CA | $217,051 | $19,285 | $4,841 | 7.1% |
| Pomona College reports $217,051 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, and admits 7% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (50 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | $214,907 | $13,807 | -$2,536* | 3.6% |
| Stanford University ranks 2nd on this page with median earnings of $214,907 four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 92%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (277 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($214,907) | |||||
| 3 | California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA | $200,511 | $16,075 | -$2,133* | 2.6% |
| With an admission rate of 3%, California Institute of Technology is the most selective school on the page and posts a six-year completion rate of 94%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (77 graduates), Information Science/Studies (6 graduates) | |||||
| 4 | Harvey Mudd College · Claremont, CA | $198,257 | $35,924 | $27,979 | 12.7% |
| Harvey Mudd College shows median earnings of $198,257 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $35,924. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($198,257) | |||||
| 5 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $185,167 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
| University of Southern California ranks 5th on this list and reports an average net price of $13,516 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (287 graduates), Computer Software and Media Applications (32 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($192,897), Computer Software and Media Applications ($115,839) | |||||
| 6 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $159,487 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
| Ranking 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of California-San Diego reports median earnings of $159,487 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (591 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (168 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($159,487) | |||||
| 7 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $154,784 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports median earnings of $154,784 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $7,529 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (163 graduates) | |||||
| 8 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | No published median | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
| University of California-Berkeley ranks 8th on this list and admits 11% of applicants, with a six-year completion rate of 93%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (848 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (669 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($204,379) | |||||
| 9 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $150,341 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
| Graduates of University of San Francisco earn a median of $150,341 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 70%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (76 graduates), Data Processing (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($150,341) | |||||
| 10 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $149,847 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| University of San Diego ranks 10th on this page and reports an average net price of $15,586 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (29 graduates) | |||||
| 11 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $149,190 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
| An admission rate of 33% and median earnings of $149,190 four years after completing are reported by University of California-Santa Barbara. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (161 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($149,190) | |||||
| 12 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $147,511 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
| University of the Pacific posts a six-year completion rate of 69% alongside median earnings of $147,511 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($147,511) | |||||
| 13 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $127,011 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
| Loyola Marymount University, a private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, reports $127,011 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 79%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (52 graduates) | |||||
| 14 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $119,900 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| With an average net price of $9,320, California State University-East Bay ranks 14th on this list and posts median earnings of $119,900 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (193 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($119,900) | |||||
| 15 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $119,686 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
| University of California-Irvine admits 29% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $119,686 four years after completing, placing it 15th on this page. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (744 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (114 graduates), Computer Software and Media Applications (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($127,404), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($96,347) | |||||
| 16 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $119,414 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
| Graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz earn a median of $119,414 four years after completing, and the university ranks 109th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (607 graduates), Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (98 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($123,422), Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($94,589) | |||||
| 17 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $112,780 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
| Chapman University graduates 82% of its students within six years and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $112,780 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (52 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (30 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | No published median | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
| University of California-Riverside ranks 31st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $14,304. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (212 graduates), Information Science/Studies (29 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $109,740 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico reports $109,740 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,902 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (81 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($127,498), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($91,059) | |||||
| 20 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $106,181 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| Sonoma State University admits 93% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $106,181 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($106,181) | |||||
| 21 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $105,166 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| San Francisco State University ranks 51st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $105,166 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (293 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($105,166) | |||||
| 22 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $103,494 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reports an average net price of $11,531 and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $103,494 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (202 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($103,494) | |||||
| 23 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $101,787 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 59%, California State University-Monterey Bay reports $101,787 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (191 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($101,787) | |||||
| 24 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $101,428 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| California State University-Long Beach ranks 5th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $7,183 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (254 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($101,428) | |||||
| 25 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $100,586 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University reports $100,586 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $15,364. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (259 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($100,586) | |||||
| 26 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $97,970 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| With a 93% admission rate, California State University-Northridge ranks 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (251 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (124 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($101,348), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($91,131) | |||||
| 27 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $97,827 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| California State University-San Marcos graduates 55% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $6,230 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (127 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($97,827) | |||||
| 28 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $93,038 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Riverside, California Baptist University posts $93,038 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a 62% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (20 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (11 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $92,519 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| California State University-Sacramento ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $92,519 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (300 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($92,519) | |||||
| 30 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | No published median | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| Ranking 30th on this list, California State University-Channel Islands admits 95% of applicants and reports an average net price of $6,857 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (66 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($100,887) | |||||
| 31 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $90,694 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
| University of La Verne reports $90,694 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing alongside a 71% admission rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (35 graduates) | |||||
| 32 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $87,460 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| With an average net price of $6,555, California State University-Fullerton ranks 6th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (325 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($87,460) | |||||
| 33 | Westmont College · Santa Barbara, CA | No published median | $29,053 | $20,899 | 77.1% |
| Westmont College graduates 70% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $20,899 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (11 graduates) | |||||
| 34 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $80,432 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| California State University-Bakersfield reports $80,432 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a 50% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (54 graduates) | |||||
| 35 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $80,275 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| An average net price of $3,967 coincides with California State University-Los Angeles's 3rd rank on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (149 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (96 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($87,525), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($69,022) | |||||
| 36 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $78,943 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in La Mirada, Biola University posts $78,943 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a 74% admission rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (15 graduates) | |||||
| 37 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $77,030 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| California Lutheran University reports median earnings of $77,030 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 70%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($77,030) | |||||
| 38 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $74,953 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| With an admission rate of 85%, San Jose State University shows a median of $74,953 for Computer Science graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (288 graduates) | |||||
| 39 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $74,620 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt carries an average net price of $13,171 and reports $74,620 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (28 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $71,601 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| A six-year completion rate of 53% and an average net price of $6,067 are reported by California State University-Stanislaus. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($71,601) | |||||
| 41 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $71,490 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| Graduates of California State University-Fresno earn a median of $71,490 four years after completing, and the school admits 95% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (52 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($71,490) | |||||
| 42 | Point Loma Nazarene University · San Diego, CA | No published median | $38,729 | $30,999 | 83.7% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University, a private nonprofit university in San Diego, shows a six-year completion rate of 77% and an average net price of $38,729. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (31 graduates), Computer Science (17 graduates) | |||||
| 43 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $69,320 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino reports an average net price of $4,564 and median earnings of $69,320 for Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (140 graduates), Computer Science (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($74,845), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($66,202) | |||||
| 44 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $66,650 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| An admission rate of 93% and median earnings of $66,650 for Computer Science graduates four years after completing are posted by California State University-Dominguez Hills. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (82 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (71 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General ($74,788), Computer Science ($59,603) | |||||
| 45 | Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA | No published median | $38,263 | $20,705 | 44.2% |
| Occidental College admits 44% of applicants and graduates 81% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (36 graduates) | |||||
| 46 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $58,673 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
| Azusa Pacific University reports median earnings of $58,673 for its Computer Science graduates two years after completing, and its average net price is $22,212. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (9 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (5 graduates) | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Computer Science graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Computer Science earnings cohort in California appear. The figure reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after graduation. For 2 of the 46 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 40 schools with a published figure. Pomona College leads the list at $217,051, just $2,144 ahead of Stanford University at $214,907, while the spread from top to bottom reaches $158,378.
Job market context in California
The Bureau of Labor Statistics links Computer Science to occupations such as Software Developers, Computer Occupations, All Other, and Computer User Support Specialists in California. The median annual wage across those occupations is $139,616, though a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $105,434. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 12.3% higher, with about 558 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. These labor-market figures describe the occupations, not the earnings of any listed school's graduates four years after completing.