Computer science is one of the fastest growing and most in-demand disciplines on the planet, so if you’re planning to pursue this career path, it’s essential that you attend an institution with excellent opportunities for your education and career growth. So which are the 5 best colleges in California for computer science? Read below to learn more about these top schools and how they can help you reach your dreams!
The best colleges in California for computer science include some of the most prestigious institutions in the country. Here are some of the top schools that offer a bachelor’s degree program in this discipline.
1. University of California, Los Angeles
The Computer Science and Engineering curriculum at UCLA provides students with the education and training necessary to design, implement, test, and utilize the hardware and software of digital computers and digital systems. The curriculum has components spanning both the Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments.
The curriculum covers all aspects of computer systems from electronic design through logic design, MSI, LSI, and VLSI concepts; device utilization, machine language design, implementation and programming, operating system concepts, systems programming, networking fundamentals, and higher-level language skills; and their application. Students are prepared for employment in a wide spectrum of high-technology industries. The computer science and engineering program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Tution fees for UCLA are among the highest in the nation. The average cost of tuition is $13,000 per year. However, this does not reflect the total cost of attendance since room and board costs around $14,000 per year. The price tag for room and board is higher than most other schools because UCLA does not offer on-campus housing for freshmen.
Another option is to apply for scholarships that do not require repayment after graduation like the National Merit Scholarship Program or Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship Program which award a total of $2 million annually in scholarships to students with exceptional academic achievement.
The department is part of Stanford’s School of Engineering and offers programs leading to Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. It also participates in undergraduate interdisciplinary programs which include Computer Systems Engineering, Symbolic Systems, and Mathematical and Computational Sciences. The strong research focus is in areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, foundations of computer science, scientific computing, and systems.
The cost of attending Stanford University is $51,700 for the 2023/2023 academic year. This is the total for both in-state and out-of-state residents.
3. California Institute of Technology
Caltech is a renowned institute in the areas of pure and applied sciences and has a strong research focus in these areas which makes it a world-leading institution. Its Department of Computing + Mathematical Sciences is responsible for offering undergraduate and graduate degree computer science programs.
The academic programs are Applied + Computational Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing + Mathematics, and Control+ Dynamical Systems all of which you can pursue as a bachelor, master, or doctoral program.
Caltech tuition for full-time students is $51,260 per year (2023-2023). The school offers financial aid packages to students who meet certain academic requirements or have financial need.
4. The University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis Computer Science Programme is a four-year programme that offers students an interdisciplinary education in computer science. The programme offers an undergraduate level of study with the option to pursue a double major or minor in other disciplines.
The curriculum combines core courses in computer science, mathematics, and statistics with a set of electives chosen from a wide range of topics. This gives students the flexibility to create a curriculum tailored to their interests and career goals.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for research and internships during their time at UC Davis. In many cases these experiences can count towards graduation requirements.
The University of California, Davis tuition and fees for undergraduate students are $13,976 for the 2016-2017 academic year — a 2.4% increase from last year’s $13,746. The cost of living on campus at UC Davis is $14,837 per year, which includes room and board.
The average financial aid award at University of California – Davis is $23,923 per year. About 63% of students receive aid in the form of grants and scholarships (an average of $23,923), while 33% take out student loans ($12,611). Approximately 57% of students pay full price for college after receiving financial aid and other discounts.
The UC Berkeley/UC Davis Joint Computer Science Program is a unique program which allows you to complete your undergraduate degree at either campus and earn two degrees in five years. The CS joint program offers students the opportunity to study at both campuses and gain a broad perspective on how computer science is taught at each institution. The program provides students with an excellent preparation for careers in industry or graduate school.
The UC Berkeley tuition fees for undergraduate students have increased by $1,280 over last year to $12,630 per semester. Undergraduate students must also pay an additional $1,560 nonrefundable enrollment fee and a $60 UC Student Health Insurance Plan fee each semester. Graduate students pay a higher tuition but no enrollment fee. The UC Berkeley tuition fees for graduate students are currently $14,943 per semester.
The department offers bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction and Game Design & Development. It also offers a minor in Information Security.
The CS department at SJSU has over 600 students enrolled annually across all majors, making it one of the largest computer science departments in California. The department offers courses in object oriented programming, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture and systems programming, operating systems design and implementation, software engineering and security, artificial intelligence, databases and data mining as well as many other topics related to computing.
San Jose State University tuition fees are $6,712 for in-state students and $19,962 for out-of-state students. The cost of living at San Jose State University is about average compared to other US universities. The estimated expenses per year for a student living on campus, including housing and meal plans, is $17,090.
7. Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University’s Computer Science program is designed to give students the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the computer science field. In addition to classes that cover computer science theory, students also take classes that teach them how to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
The curriculum includes core courses in programming languages, operating systems, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture and systems software, as well as electives such as artificial intelligence and game development. The program also offers opportunities for practical experience through internships with local companies or through the student-run Hackership Program – a 24-week internship where students work on a team project under mentorship from industry professionals.
Graduates of the program will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Santa Clara University.
Santa Clara University tuition fees. The cost of attending Santa Clara University is $60,845 per year for a typical full-time undergraduate student. The school charges an additional $590 in fees (in addition to tuition) to all students who are not California residents.
8. Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College is a private residential undergraduate engineering, science, and mathematics university in Claremont, California. The college focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Harvey Mudd College is named after Harvey Seeley Mudd, one of the founders of the American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME), now the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME).
The college’s curriculum emphasizes general scientific principles and problem solving over mathematical or theoretical concepts. Students are required to take classes in biology and chemistry as part of the core curriculum.
The college teaches computer science courses as part of its humanities division. All students are required to take a course in programming during their freshman year; if they do not choose this option they must replace it with another course from another department.
Harvey Mudd College tuition and fees is $58,906 for the 2023-2023 academic year. The cost of living at Harvey Mudd College is 3% more expensive than the national average. The cost of books and supplies is $1,200. The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, room and board) at Harvey Mudd College is $60,106.
9. San Diego State University
The Computer Science Department at San Diego State University offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and a minor in Computer Science.
The department offers a wide range of courses that cover the fundamentals of computer science, including software engineering, artificial intelligence, databases, and networks. Students are encouraged to participate in course projects that involve real-world applications.
The department also offers a comprehensive program for computing majors who want to pursue an advanced degree in computer science or another computing field. The graduate program includes courses in database systems, operating systems, artificial intelligence, programming languages and compilers.
The total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board) at San Diego State University is $24,276 for the 2023-2023 academic year. This figure includes tuition, fees, room and board. The average net price for students paying in-state tuition is $13,856. The average net price for students paying out-of-state tuition is $22,038.
10. California Polytechnic State University – Pomona
California Polytechnic State University – Pomona is a public polytechnic university university located in Pomona, California, United States. It was founded in 1938 as the California Polytechnic School. The school has 27,909 students and six campuses across the state. It offers bachelor’s degrees in 104 majors and 36 minors, master’s degrees in 50 fields, doctoral degrees in 19 areas of study and 46 concentrations and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
The Computer Science department at Cal Poly Pomona offers undergraduate majors with a focus on computer science theory and programming. The major requires students to take courses that cover the theory behind computer science concepts, as well as courses that teach students how to implement those concepts using programming languages such as Java or C++. Students can also choose from elective courses that teach them about topics like artificial intelligence or human-computer interaction.
The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree for students interested in pursuing careers in computer science after graduation. Students who wish to continue their education can pursue a Master of Science degree or doctorate through Cal Poly Pomona’s graduate programs offered through its College of Engineering & Computing Sciences Department (CECS).
Cal Poly Pomona has a total cost of $19,855 for out-of-state students with an annual in-state cost of $11,814. The average net price for all students is $5,541 per year.
After having reviewed all of these schools, we can say that we truly believe that UC Berkeley is by far one of if not the best college for computer science degrees. Berkeley has a high ranking and large degree program which will allow students to get hands on training and gain industry knowledge. Berkeley is also very highly ranked and well respected worldwide, making it an excellent starting point for anyone looking to begin their CS career. However, none of these schools should be ruled out as they are all great choices which will provide students with a top notch education.
