2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in California
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in California? Our ranking highlights 668 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 469 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Science & Tech degree schools in California. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
Keck Graduate Institute came in at #2 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in California. Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Keck Graduate Institute
The strong Science & Tech programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place in California. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Science & Tech students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Santa Clara University came in at #4 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in California. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $20,144. More on Santa Clara University
You'll be in good company at Fielding Graduate University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. More on Fielding Graduate University
California Institute Of Technology placed #6 among Science & Tech schools in California. Based in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Get the full California Institute Of Technology report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #7 among Science & Tech schools in California. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Claremont Graduate University landed the #8 spot in California this year. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
University Of Southern California landed the #9 spot in California this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Science & Tech program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #11 among Science & Tech schools in California. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school based in Santa Rosa, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. The median Science & Tech program debt is $14,692. See the full Santa Rosa Junior College profile
Foothill College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Los Altos Hills, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $11,595. Read more about Foothill College
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot in California this year. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Science & Tech students take on a median of $15,501 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Canada College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Redwood City, CA, Canada College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,000. More on Canada College
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public school based in Aliso Viejo, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $27,471. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Westmont College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, Westmont College is a private not-for-profit institution. Westmont College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,584. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,773. Read the full report on Westmont College
Santa Barbara City College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara City College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $21,090. Read more about Santa Barbara City College
University Of San Francisco landed the #18 spot in California this year. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. University Of San Francisco Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. More on University Of San Francisco
University Of California Davis came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Dominican University Of California did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in San Rafael, CA, Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,161. Dominican University Of California Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Dominican University Of California
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moraga, CA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Saint Marys College Of California Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,041 in debt. Get the full Saint Marys College Of California report
Loyola Marymount University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Touro University Worldwide did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Los Alamitos, CA, Touro University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $32,289. See the full Touro University Worldwide profile
Ashford University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $39,515. Get the full Ashford University report
Monterey Institute Of International Studies ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Monterey, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,654. Read more about Monterey Institute Of International Studies
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in California
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of California San Diego ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
Cuesta College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, Cuesta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. See the full Cuesta College profile
University Of Redlands did well this year, earning the #28 position. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about University Of Redlands
Fresno Pacific University placed #29 among Science & Tech schools in California. Set in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,596. Read the full report on Fresno Pacific University
San Jose State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. See the full San Jose State University profile
Asher College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Sacramento, CA, Asher College is a private for-profit institution. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $15,645. More on Asher College
University Of The Pacific did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stockton, CA. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,080. University Of The Pacific Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,514 in debt. Read the full report on University Of The Pacific
University Of San Diego came in at #33 in this year's ranking. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. University Of San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. University Of San Diego Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,795 in debt. Read the full report on University Of San Diego
Occidental College placed #34 among Science & Tech schools in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Occidental College graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,274. Graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. More on Occidental College
National University placed #35 among Science & Tech schools in California. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Get the full National University report
Concordia University Irvine landed the #36 spot in California this year. Located in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,085. See the full Concordia University Irvine profile
Pepperdine University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Malibu, CA. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Pepperdine University Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,645 in debt. Read the full report on Pepperdine University
Merced College placed #38 among Science & Tech schools in California. Based in Merced, CA, Merced College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Merced College
Pacific Union College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Located in Angwin, CA, Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,173. The median Science & Tech program debt is $29,400. See the full Pacific Union College profile
Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,343. The median Science & Tech program debt is $33,968. Read the full report on Golden Gate University San Francisco
Mount St Marys College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Students borrow a median of $27,555 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Mount St Marys College report
Point Loma Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Based in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,250. Point Loma Nazarene University Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,542 in debt. Get the full Point Loma Nazarene University report
California State University Channel Islands placed #43 among Science & Tech schools in California. Based in Camarillo, CA, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. California State University Channel Islands posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on California State University Channel Islands
University Of California Irvine landed the #44 spot in California this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,539. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of Phoenix California came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Ontario, CA, University Of Phoenix California is a private for-profit institution. University Of Phoenix California posts a six-year graduation rate of 22%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Graduates carry a median of $37,432 in student loans. Read more about University Of Phoenix California
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Santa Clarita, CA, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,020. Graduates carry a median of $22,089 in student loans. More on The Masters College And Seminary
Napa Valley College placed #47 among Science & Tech schools in California. Napa Valley College is a public school based in Napa, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,908 for out-of-state students. Get the full Napa Valley College report
Pitzer College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Pitzer College posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,192. The median Science & Tech program debt is $18,125. Get the full Pitzer College report
Cerritos College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Cerritos College Science & Tech students take on a median of $11,306 in debt. Get the full Cerritos College report
Mti College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Sacramento, CA, Mti College is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,356 in student loans. More on Mti College
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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