Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Engineering bachelor graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $92,942 3 years after graduation. This places California graduate earnings in the top 5% nationally. Additionally, engineering graduates earn 64% more than the total graduating bachelor class in the state.
Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.
Our engineering rankings cover 37 of the 41 programs available in California, accounting for 99% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or cost data.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,851
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$111,958
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate97%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Stanford University is a prestigious private university in Stanford, California. With an acceptance rate of 4%, Stanford is the most selective institution on the West Coast.
Stanford University School of Engineering is among the best engineering schools in the country. Its 16 undergraduate programs span disciplines like aeronautics, civil engineering, and environmental systems engineering; there was also a custom option.
While the admitted student profile for the School of Engineering is unknown, 75% of first-year students at Stanford were reported to have a high school GPA of 4.0 in the Stanford Common Data Set from 2023-2024.
For the time being, Stanford is an SAT/ACT test-optional institution. Students who have already taken either test are encouraged to submit their scores if they think they’re a “positive reflection of their academic preparedness.”
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,385
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$86,088
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The 2nd best-value engineering school in the country is California State University, Los Angeles, or Cal State LA – a large public university in Los Angeles and member of the California State University system.
Outside of the classroom, students can take part in one of ECST’s many clubs and organizations to round out their resumes across their engineering specializations of interest and make valuable long-term connections.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,371
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$142,255
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of California, Berkeley, or just UC Berkeley, is a nationally renowned public university in Berkely, California, on the San Francisco Bay.
The UC Berkeley College of Engineering is home to undergraduate programs like materials science & engineering, nuclear engineering, civil & environmental engineering, bioengineering, and even an “undeclared” option, which allows students to choose an engineering discipline by the fourth semester.
In 2023, most undergraduate students at the College of Engineering were at Berkeley’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.
Like UC Berkeley itself, UC Berkeley College of Engineering is highly selective. The acceptance rate of the 2023-2024 freshman class was just 7%.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,744
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$84,242
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University-Fresno, or Fresno State, is a large public university in Fresno, California. The school is designated as both an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander and Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering offers 7 undergraduate degree programs that include unique majors like geomatics engineering and architectural studies. The Lyles College of Engineering’s Honors Program provides financial support for freshmen students who embody qualities like academic strength, entrepreneurship, and leadership ability.
Admitted applicants to Fresno State should have a 2.5 GPA or above for California residents (or a 3.0 GPA or above for non-residents) and have satisfied the relevant prerequisite courses for the department.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,485
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$85,840
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) is a large public university in Fullerton, a city in Orange County, California. With a total enrollment of nearly 40,000, it is home to one of the largest student bodies in the state.
Cal State Fullerton’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) offers bachelor's degree programs in the following disciplines:
Civil engineering
Computer engineering
Computer science
Electrical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Qualifying criteria for undergraduate admission to the College of Engineering and Computer Science include earning a C or higher in the prerequisite courses outlined by the department. SAT I or ACT score submissions are required.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,293
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$86,327
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a large public university in Northridge, California, in the San Fernando Valley outside of Los Angeles.
Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Management Mechanical Engineering
The Honors Co-Op program is designed to set up academically gifted students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science with employment opportunities in their senior year.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$85,668
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,637
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$100,618
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a large public university in Los Angeles, and one of the oldest members of the University of California public school system.
The 7 departments that make up the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering cover most of the standard engineering disciplines. Undergraduate degree programs include a newly added Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. In 2023, the most popular undergraduate disciplines were computer science and mechanical engineering.
UCLA is widely considered a “Public Ivy.” As such, its admissions process is competitive, with its engineering school being no exception. For the 2023-2024 cycle, out of 34,470 undergraduate applicants to the Samueli School of Engineering across all departments, only 1,747 were accepted.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,482
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$99,313
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate86%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,370
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$102,070
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,215
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$81,634
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,911
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$87,133
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,394
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$19,615
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$101,325
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,902
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,057
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate78%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,601
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$103,474
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate80%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,069
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$93,359
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate90%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,674
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$92,750
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,426
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$85,602
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate87%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,912
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$86,710
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
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