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# Best Engineering Colleges in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Biomedical/Medical Engineering](/rankings/best-biomedicalmedical-engineering-programs-in-california/)[Chemical Engineering](/rankings/best-chemical-engineering-programs-in-california/)[Civil Engineering](/rankings/best-civil-engineering-programs-in-california/)[Computer Engineering](/rankings/best-computer-engineering-programs-in-california/)[Industrial Engineering](/rankings/best-industrial-engineering-programs-in-california/)[Mechanical Engineering](/rankings/best-mechanical-engineering-programs-in-california/)

This page ranks 36 schools in California by the median earnings of Engineering graduates four years after completing. [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $158,239.

Across the 32 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $158,239 to $69,434, with a median of $99,344.

Public institutions account for 27 of the 36 listed schools, alongside 9 private nonprofits. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price on the page at $3,967.

University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

36 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Engineering Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $158,239 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
|  | [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) reports [$158,239 in median earnings](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (528 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (189 graduates), Civil Engineering (106 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($200,543), Chemical Engineering ($121,027), Mechanical Engineering ($119,371) |
| 2 | Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA | No published median | $50,062 | $22,985 | 48.0% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, [Santa Clara University](/school/santa-clara-university/majors/) ranks 2nd on this page and shows an [average net price of $50,062](/school/santa-clara-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (83 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (52 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($163,765), Mechanical Engineering ($122,111), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($114,426) |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $128,783 | $12,548 | $5,579 | 9.0% |
|  | With a 9% admission rate, [University of California-Los Angeles](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/majors/) admits a small share of applicants and its Engineering graduates earn a [median of $128,783](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (162 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (142 graduates), Computer Engineering (96 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($126,209), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($116,525), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($115,706) |
| 4 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy · Vallejo, CA | $126,395 | $20,555 | $13,552 | 95.0% |
|  | [Cal Poly Maritime Academy](/school/cal-poly-maritime-academy/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 60%](/school/cal-poly-maritime-academy/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $126,395 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($126,395) |
| 5 | Harvey Mudd College · Claremont, CA | $122,845 | $35,924 | $27,979 | 12.7% |
|  | [Harvey Mudd College](/school/harvey-mudd-college/majors/) reports an [average net price of $27,979](/school/harvey-mudd-college/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 225th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (51 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, General ($122,845) |
| 6 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $121,686 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
|  | [University of California-Santa Cruz](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/majors/) [graduates 75% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $121,686 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (132 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (40 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($124,641), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($118,290), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($98,567) |
| 7 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $120,049 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
|  | Ranking 66th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, [University of California-Santa Barbara](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/majors/) shows an [average net price of $16,109](/school/university-of-california-santa-barbara/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (78 graduates), Computer Engineering (72 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($144,703), Chemical Engineering ($113,317), Mechanical Engineering ($104,336) |
| 8 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $115,921 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
|  | [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) [admits 10% of applicants](/school/university-of-southern-california/admissions/) and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $115,921 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (119 graduates), Industrial Engineering (57 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (56 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($131,532), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($125,514), Industrial Engineering ($112,150) |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $113,948 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
|  | [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/majors/) reports an [average net price of $7,529](/school/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 86%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (272 graduates), Computer Engineering (158 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (136 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($148,950), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($125,240), Industrial Engineering ($112,797) |
| 10 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $112,757 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 93%](/school/sonoma-state-university/admissions/), [Sonoma State University](/school/sonoma-state-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $112,757 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (25 graduates) |
| 11 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $110,699 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
|  | [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) holds the top Azimuth composite rank on this page, 1st among nonprofit four-year institutions, and reports [median earnings of $110,699](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (218 graduates), Computer Engineering (167 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (146 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($149,139), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($118,150), Mechanical Engineering ($104,229) |
| 12 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $106,933 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
|  | Graduating 86% of its students within six years, [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/) shows an [average net price of $14,741](/school/university-of-california-davis/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (166 graduates), Civil Engineering (127 graduates), Computer Engineering (119 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($145,422), Engineering, General ($114,228), Chemical Engineering ($102,649) |
| 13 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $106,892 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
|  | [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) reports [median earnings of $106,892](/school/university-of-california-irvine/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate reaches 87%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (260 graduates), Computer Engineering (246 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (156 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($132,357), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($106,871), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($100,537) |
| 14 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $100,916 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
|  | With an [average net price of $15,364,](/school/san-diego-state-university/cost/) [San Diego State University](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) posts median earnings of $100,916 four years after completing an Engineering degree. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (244 graduates), Civil Engineering (227 graduates), Computer Engineering (116 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($106,416), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($100,139), Mechanical Engineering ($97,825) |
| 15 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $100,321 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
|  | [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/majors/) [admits 75% of applicants](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/admissions/) and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $100,321 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Civil Engineering (277 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (276 graduates), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (163 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($106,171), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($103,924), Chemical Engineering ($102,849) |
| 16 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $99,979 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
|  | Ranking 7th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, [California State University-Northridge](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) carries an [average net price of $7,021](/school/california-state-university-northridge/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (185 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (78 graduates), Civil Engineering (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($104,065), Mechanical Engineering ($99,216), Civil Engineering ($97,123) |
| 17 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $99,540 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, [Loyola Marymount University](/school/loyola-marymount-university/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 79%](/school/loyola-marymount-university/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $99,540 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (30 graduates), Civil Engineering (27 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($96,226) |
| 18 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | No published median | $13,807 | \-$2,536\* | 3.6% |
|  | [Stanford University](/school/stanford-university/majors/) [admits 4% of applicants](/school/stanford-university/admissions/) and graduates 92% of its students within six years, while its average net price is $13,807. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, Other (91 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (49 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, Other ($115,206) |
| 19 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $99,148 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
|  | [San Francisco State University](/school/san-francisco-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $99,148](/school/san-francisco-state-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate is 96%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (75 graduates), Civil Engineering (65 graduates), Computer Engineering (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($112,454), Mechanical Engineering ($102,104), Computer Engineering ($94,129) |
| 20 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $99,077 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
|  | [California Baptist University](/school/california-baptist-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 62%](/school/california-baptist-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $22,298 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (47 graduates), Civil Engineering (28 graduates), Computer Engineering (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($105,046), Computer Engineering ($96,506), Civil Engineering ($90,251) |
| 21 | University of California-Merced · Merced, CA | $97,539 | $11,983 | $7,945 | 90.5% |
|  | [University of California-Merced](/school/university-of-california-merced/majors/) shows [median earnings of $97,539](/school/university-of-california-merced/outcomes/) four years after completing an Engineering degree, and its six-year completion rate is 69%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (219 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (184 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($102,575), Mechanical Engineering ($95,040), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($88,795) |
| 22 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $97,264 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
|  | [California State University-Long Beach](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/majors/) [ranks 5th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-long-beach/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $10,440. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (229 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (125 graduates), Civil Engineering (122 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($103,075), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($101,797), Computer Engineering ($98,967) |
| 23 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $97,128 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 94%](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/admissions/), [California State University-Sacramento](/school/california-state-university-sacramento/majors/) reports median earnings of $97,128 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (178 graduates), Civil Engineering (145 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (94 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($104,394), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($103,512), Civil Engineering ($93,973) |
| 24 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $95,412 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
|  | [University of California-Riverside](/school/university-of-california-riverside/majors/) [graduates 76% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-california-riverside/outcomes/) and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $95,412 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (94 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (67 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (65 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($107,193), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($102,630), Mechanical Engineering ($93,721) |
| 25 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $94,917 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
|  | [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) reports [median earnings of $94,917](/school/california-state-university-chico/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $14,480. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Civil Engineering (88 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (72 graduates), Engineering, Other (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, Other ($103,272), Mechanical Engineering ($93,555), Civil Engineering ($92,472) |
| 26 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $94,133 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
|  | With an [average net price of $3,967,](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/cost/) [California State University-Los Angeles](/school/california-state-university-los-angeles/majors/) ranks 3rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (130 graduates), Civil Engineering (73 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (52 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($96,014), Civil Engineering ($94,760), Mechanical Engineering ($93,028) |
| 27 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $93,793 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
|  | [California State University-East Bay](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/majors/) [admits 97% of applicants](/school/california-state-university-east-bay/admissions/) and reports a six-year completion rate of 48%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (16 graduates), Industrial Engineering (14 graduates) |
| 28 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $93,159 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
|  | A [six-year completion rate of 70%](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/outcomes/) coincides with median earnings of $93,159 for Engineering graduates at [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (125 graduates), Civil Engineering (124 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (65 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Civil Engineering ($95,854), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($92,618), Mechanical Engineering ($86,808) |
| 29 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $92,962 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
|  | An [average net price of $5,105](/school/california-state-university-fresno/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $92,962 at [California State University-Fresno](/school/california-state-university-fresno/majors/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (79 graduates), Civil Engineering (70 graduates), Computer Engineering (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($108,038), Computer Engineering ($103,896), Mechanical Engineering ($88,002) |
| 30 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $92,905 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
|  | [California State University-Bakersfield](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/majors/) [ranks 89th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-bakersfield/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $5,652. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Science (42 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (30 graduates), Computer Engineering (15 graduates) |
| 31 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $92,492 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
|  | Graduates of [California State University-San Bernardino](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/majors/) earn a [median of $92,492](/school/california-state-university-san-bernardino/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school admits 94% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($92,492) |
| 32 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | No published median | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in San Diego, [University of San Diego](/school/university-of-san-diego/majors/) reports a [six-year completion rate of 84%](/school/university-of-san-diego/outcomes/) and an admission rate of 52%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (61 graduates), Industrial Engineering (38 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($110,314), Mechanical Engineering ($91,848) |
| 33 | California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA | $83,177 | $16,075 | \-$2,133\* | 2.6% |
|  | [California Institute of Technology](/school/california-institute-of-technology/majors/) [admits 3% of applicants](/school/california-institute-of-technology/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $83,177 for its Engineering graduates two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (28 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (15 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (10 graduates) |
| 34 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $78,225 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 98%](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/admissions/), [California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt](/school/california-state-polytechnic-university-humboldt/majors/) reports a six-year completion rate of 49% and an average net price of $13,171. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (51 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($78,225) |
| 35 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | No published median | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
|  | [University of the Pacific](/school/university-of-the-pacific/majors/) [ranks 201st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-the-pacific/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $17,004 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Biomedical/Medical Engineering (17 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (17 graduates), Computer Engineering (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($99,573) |
| 36 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $69,434 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
|  | [San Jose State University](/school/san-jose-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $69,434](/school/san-jose-state-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates two years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 69%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (248 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (166 graduates), Civil Engineering (101 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 Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Engineering earnings cohort in California appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing the program. For 2 of the 36 listed schools 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 32 schools with a published figure. The spread from top to bottom is $88,805, with University of California-Berkeley at $158,239 and Santa Clara University in second.

## Job market context in California

Engineering graduates in California enter occupations such as Civil Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $150,203, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $117,119. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 12.5% higher, with about 301 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing; the market figures describe the broader occupations, and the two are not the same measure.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Engineering Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Maryland](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-maryland/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in New Jersey](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-new-jersey/)
-   Engineering Colleges in California for Social Mobility