Engineering programs across California's 33 ranked institutions produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $57,470 to $143,344 ten years after enrollment. With an average program earnings of $91,788—significantly higher than the national engineering average—California's engineering degree programs demonstrate the direct connection between program selection and technical career outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of California-Berkeley, achieving the highest program earnings at $143,344. Santa Clara University follows at $125,546, while Stanford University rounds out the top tier at $105,098. These top-performing STEM programs showcase how California's public universities and private colleges consistently deliver strong median earnings for engineering graduates, with 76% of programs housed at public institutions offering competitive in-state tuition rates.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Merced, CA | $97,539 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,945 | 90.5% | 68.7% | |
| #22 | Long Beach, CA | $97,264 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,183 | 46.3% | 68.9% | |
| #23 | Sacramento, CA | $97,128 Median Engineering Earnings | $6,501 | 94.0% | 56.3% | |
| #24 | Riverside, CA | $95,412 Median Engineering Earnings | $8,852 | 76.4% | 76.0% | |
| #25 | Chico, CA | $94,917 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,902 | 92.7% | 62.8% | |
| #26 | Los Angeles, CA | $94,133 Median Engineering Earnings | $2,877 | 91.3% | 53.0% | |
| #27 | Hayward, CA | $93,793 Median Engineering Earnings | $6,360 | 97.4% | 47.9% | |
| #28 | Fullerton, CA | $93,159 Median Engineering Earnings | $3,315 | 90.5% | 70.2% | |
| #29 | Fresno, CA | $92,962 Median Engineering Earnings | $5,105 | 95.3% | 57.0% | |
| #30 | Bakersfield, CA | $92,905 Median Engineering Earnings | $3,536 | 93.8% | 49.8% | |
| #31 | San Bernardino, CA | $92,492 Median Engineering Earnings | $2,681 | 93.7% | 54.9% | |
| #32 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $91,840 Median Engineering Earnings | $15,586 | 52.4% | 83.7% |
| #33 | Pasadena, CA | $83,177 Median Engineering Earnings | -$2,133 | 2.6% | 94.4% | |
| #34 | Arcata, CA | $78,225 Median Engineering Earnings | $8,483 | 98.2% | 48.5% | |
| #35 | University Of The PacificPrivate | Stockton, CA | $72,364 Median Engineering Earnings | $17,004 | 71.3% | 69.0% |
| #36 | San Jose, CA | $69,434 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,730 | 84.6% | 69.2% |
