2023 Best Engineering Schools in California
Finding the Best Engineering School for You
In 2020-2021, engineering students earned 25,076 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 8th in the state.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
The Best Engineering Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 30 schools in California to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Engineering Schools in California
The colleges and universities below are the best for engineering majors pursuing a .
Top 10 Best Engineering Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Stanford University the best school in California for engineering students. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that engineering majors at Stanford take out is $8,929.
Read full report on Engineering at Stanford University
Request Information
The excellent programs at University of California - Berkeley helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best engineering schools in California. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the city of Berkeley.
The average amount in student loans that engineering majors at UC Berkeley take out is $13,535. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $370.
Request Information
The excellent programs at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best engineering schools in California. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.
After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo carry an average student debtload of $20,507. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $455, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend National University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Engineering Schools in California list. Located in the large city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
While working on their degree, engineering majors at National University accumulate an average of around $35,500 in student debt.
Request Information
The excellent programs at Santa Clara University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best engineering schools in California. Located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
After completing their degree, engineering graduates from SCU carry an average student debtload of $24,164.
Read full report on Engineering at Santa Clara University
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, University of Southern California did quite well on this year’s best schools for engineering students. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
Engineering majors at USC take out an average of $14,557 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $560, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Engineering at University of Southern California Report
Request Information
University of California - Los Angeles landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best engineering programs. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.
After completing their degree, engineering graduates from UCLA carry an average student debtload of $18,379. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $440.
Read full report on Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles
Request Information
With a ranking of #8, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on this year’s best schools for engineering students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.
Engineering majors at Loyola Marymount take out an average of $25,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Engineering at Loyola Marymount University Report
Request Information
University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best engineering programs. UC Davis is a very large public school located in the small suburb of Davis.
After completing their degree, engineering graduates from UC Davis carry an average student debtload of $14,812. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $288.
Full Engineering at University of California - Davis Report
Request Information
University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for engineering students. It came in at #10 on the list. UCSB is a very large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara.
The average amount in student loans that engineering majors at UCSB take out is $16,437.
Request InformationBest Engineering Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Best Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 3,545 |
| Oregon | 2,281 |
| Hawaii | 301 |
| Nevada | 900 |
| Alaska | 178 |
More Engineering Rankings in California
Rankings in Majors Related to Engineering
Engineering Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 46,178 |
| Electrical Engineering | 28,844 |
| Civil Engineering | 21,388 |
| Computer Engineering | 17,987 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,917 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 12,811 |
| General Engineering | 11,796 |
| Industrial Engineering | 9,072 |
| Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering | 8,001 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,904 |
| Materials Engineering | 3,415 |
| Other Engineering | 2,760 |
| Environmental Engineering | 2,759 |
| Operations Research | 1,698 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 1,472 |
| Engineering Science | 1,454 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering. | 1,378 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 1,256 |
| Robotics Engineering | 1,243 |
| Architectural Engineering | 1,012 |
| Engineering Physics | 994 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 947 |
| Construction Engineering | 878 |
| Nuclear Engineering | 864 |
| Marine Engineering | 445 |
| Biological Engineering | 410 |
| Polymer & Plastics Engineering | 360 |
| Geoscience Engineering | 325 |
| Mining Engineering | 314 |
| Textile Engineering | 310 |
| Ocean Engineering | 285 |
| Engineering Mechanics | 272 |
| Metallurgical Engineering | 179 |
| Energy Systems Engineering | 138 |
| Biochemical Engineering | 109 |
| Ceramic Engineering | 94 |
| Surveying Engineering | 73 |
| Electromechanical Engineering | 45 |
| Forest Engineering | 41 |
| Paper Science & Engineering | 27 |
| Engineering Chemistry | 13 |
Most Popular Majors Related to Engineering
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer & Information Sciences | 254,454 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 177,778 |
| Engineering Technologies | 85,188 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 52,396 |
| Physical Sciences | 50,306 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Petty Officer 3rd Class Declan Barnes.
_as_the_ship_operates_in_the_Coral_Sea_on_July_25,_0_130725-N-TG831-011.jpg){kind=link}
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.