Computer Scientists study computers & computational systems. They work primarily with software systems, design, development, theory, and applications – to design algorithms to analyze computer software/hardware performance. If you have an interest in enrolling in one of the many quality computer science schools in California, consider the cross-section of computer science schools in California noted below that offers a wide range of academic degree options for various price tags.
And while computer science majors and professionals learn how to program, computer programming is only one element of the computer science field. Students interested in studying or a career related to computer science will find that computer science includes the principal areas of –
- Computer networks.
- Vision & graphics.
- Computer systems.
- Algorithms.
- Computing theory.
- Computer security.
- Computer and human interactions.
- Computer software engineering.
- Database systems.
- Artificial Intelligence, among others.
Top 5 Computer Science Schools in California
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University – Fullerton | Fullerton, California |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo, California |
| 3 | The University of California – Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 4 | The University of California – Irvine | Irvine, California |
| 5 | The University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) | Los Angeles, California |
Work for computer scientists ranges from the tangible – creating a mobile application that works seamlessly and safely, to the abstract, where computer science professionals must solve computer issues with the application of complex algorithmic solutions.
The good news for those with a serious interest in a career in computer science should recognize that the skills taught in computer science programs are applicable (and even more critical – in high demand) across most technology-dependent economic sectors. As a result, computer science includes a variety of sub-specialties, with many independent disciplines in their own right.
Students studying computer science will generally complete a core curriculum (depending on the level of the academic degree, i.e., bachelor’s or master’s, etc.) and then select coursework to support his or her area of specialization. Strict specialization for computer science students tends to happen post-baccalaureate levels; it is helpful to begin to understand in which direction your computer science career will fall while completing your bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Computer science is one of the most popular academic majors in today’s marketplace, including students studying in California.
15 Best Computer Science Schools In California
California State University – Fullerton
California State University (CSU Fullerton) is located in Southern California and operates as a recognized Hispanic-serving institution. CSU Fullerton’s urban campus is recognized to contribute more than $2 billion to the Californian economy. The Computer Science Department within the Engineering & Computer Science College is considered among the top computer science schools in California and offers several ABET-accredited computer science degree programs.
School Overview
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University is a public polytechnic higher learning institution that was established in 1901. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a space-grant university with one of the largest campuses across the United States – more than 9,000 acres. The School of Computer Science and Software offers computer science degree programs at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees.
School Overview
The University of California – Berkeley
Located in Berkeley, California, this campus of the University of California is a land-grant school that has a student enrollment of approximately 43,150 students. UC Berkeley is regularly ranked among the globe’s most elite institutions of higher education, home to a variety of cutting-edge research labs and institutes. UC Berkeley’s Division of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences (EECS) is recognized as one of the top computer science schools in California offers students both undergraduate and graduate degree options.
School Overview
The University of California – Irvine
The Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences at the University of California (UC Irvine), located within the greater LA metro area, is a research member school of the state’s university system, offering more than 190 undergraduate & graduate degree programs. UCI’s alumni include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners. For schools less than fifty years old, UC Irvine has been ranked among the top five consistently.
School Overview
The University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA)
The Computer Science Department at UCLA is part of the Samueli School of Engineering, which was established in 1945. Known as the birthplace of the internet, the school strives for excellence in creating, applying, and imparting knowledge in computer science and engineering through comprehensive educational programs and research collaborations with industry and government. UCLA Samueli offers various computer science academic programs accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
UCLA Overview
The University of California – San Diego
The Jacobs School of Engineering (SOE) at the University of California, situated in La Jolla, is a sea-grant and space-grant state university that offers more than 200 academic degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. At the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels, UC San Diego offers various computer science options.
School Overview
The Masters University & Seminary
The Masters University, located in Santa Clarita, is a private institution of higher education that operates as a nonprofit school. The Masters University offers students an impressive 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, including the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer and Information Sciences with an academic emphasis in computer science. Students graduate from one of the top computer science schools in California to enter the workforce in cybersecurity, data warehousing, web development, and artificial intelligence, among other occupations.
School Overview
Biola University
Biola University’s School of Science Technology & Health/Dept of Math & Computer Science (MCS), located in La Mirada, California, is one of the top computer science schools in California. Biola University offers a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Computer Science that provides students two concentrations – standard computer science or information systems. Students typically complete Biola University’s baccalaureate degree in computer science in four years, although some finish sooner, depending on course loads.
School Overview
Pomona College
A member school of the Claremont consortium of colleges, Pomona College, was established as a private college in 1887. The school was created to resemble the colleges located in New England, offering only undergraduate degrees across its 48 majors. Students enrolled in Pomona College’s computer science baccalaureate degree program will participate in research projects relevant to the field and the student’s interests.
School Overview
The University of San Diego
The University of San Diego’s Shiley Marcos Engineering School, situated in sunny Southern California, is a private institution of higher education that was once an all-women’s school but is one of the finest computer science schools in California. As a space-grant school that remains affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the University of San Diego has grown to now include nine colleges/schools. In addition to the BA and BS in computer science, students can opt for an accelerated dual BS/MS combo degree.
School Overview
California Institute of Technology
Located in Southern (Pasadena) California, the California Institute of Technology was founded as a research school in 1891. Cal Tech is world-renown for its academic degrees and educational facilities dedicated to the fields of engineering and science. Cal Tech’s Computing and Mathematical Sciences Department offers a variety of computer science degrees at the undergraduate level, the graduate level and is considered among the finest of all computer science schools in California.
School Overview
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is a member school of the Claremont College Consortium that was established in 1946 exclusively as a men’s institution of higher education. CMC became coed in the 1970s when other cutting-edge colleges like Amherst and Yale began admitting women.
School Overview
Harvey Mudd College
Located in Claremont, California – on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, Harvey Mudd College shares its campus with the other seven Claremont Colleges within the consortium. Founded in the mid 1950s, HMC now operates the McGregor Computer Science Center and is considered among the nation’s top undergraduate schools for students studying science and/or engineering and one of the best computer science schools in California.
School Overview
The University of Southern California
Located in Los Angeles and founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is recognized as the oldest of all research higher learning institutions in the Golden State of California. The Department of Computer Science housed within the Viterbi College of Engineering is ranked among the finest computer science schools in California and offers a variety of computer science academic degree programs providing cutting edge research within each degree program.
School Overview
Stanford University
Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University consistently ranks among the world’s finest institutions of higher education, with an 8,000-acre campus that is home to approximately 17,150 students. \ The bachelor’s level offers several concentrations in AI, graphics, biocomputational, theory, systems, information, human/computer, computer engineering, or a personally designed track.
School Overview
Our Ranking Methodology
The colleges and universities that have been included in the list above include computer science degree offerings from some of the finest computer science schools in California. The universities and colleges are listed according to the tuition costs required to attend.
The tuition data information that was gathered to analyze and assess the computer science degrees offered by these best computer science schools in California includes the latest disclosed tuition costs representing the relevant tuition costs for the school year 2020/2021 unless noted otherwise.
Each school in the list provides valuable information that students can use to help make well-educated academic decisions with regard to their educational choices. This information includes –
- Tuition fees that are per semester which is generally 12 credits for undergraduate or eight credit for graduate students.
- Programs options identify the computer science program availability at various academic levels.
- The college or university’s student enrollment data reveal the size of the college or university.
All other data and information used to analyze these computer science schools in California were gathered from each school’s website or the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) website.
