2023 Best Undergraduate Engineering Schools in California
Published: September 5, 2022
By: Colleges of Distinction Staff
Jump to: California Polytechnic State University | California State University, Fullerton | Loyola Marymount University | San Francisco State University | San José State University | Santa Clara University | University of California, Davis | University of California, Irvine | University of California, Santa Barbara | University of California, Santa Cruz | Frequently Asked Questions
Unsurprisingly, today’s labor trends suggest that there is strong and consistent growth across engineering professions, which are increasing their demand for talented, diverse, dedicated individuals. That’s why we at Colleges of Distinction are proud to announce our 2022-2023 selection of excellent schools for engineering majors in California!
These colleges and universities have demonstrated a commitment to the Four Distinctions, which ensure quality and student success throughout it programming. And, as California Engineering Colleges of Distinction, they enrich their engineering programs with a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and well-connected curriculum. Prospective students know that an education from a 2022-2023 California Engineering College of Distinction will prepare them for their futures as innovators.
What makes a 2022-2023 California Engineering College of Distinction?
Stability and quality of these programs are evidenced by their accreditation by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Practical experience is a given through internships, co-ops, and experiential learning, all of which help students apply their knowledge to the real world.
Multidisciplinary options are available to students, such as civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, computer engineering, biomedical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Collaborative work is encouraged in the classroom, so students learn to be effective team members and leaders.
Soft skills—such as communication, leadership, and teamwork—are emphasized to ensure that students are not just skilled engineers, but also resilient and capable professionals.
Facility investments keep schools’ technology up to date while supporting students along their academic journey.
Dedicated advising and counseling is available to be specifically geared toward engineering students.
High-impact practices, which are intrinsic to every College of Distinction, are fully embraced within the engineering curriculum that are important to all colleges of distinction are incorporated in the engineering curriculum.
Industry connections cultivate an environment for students to create a valuable professional network.
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
Cal Poly’s Guiding Philosophy, “Learn by Doing,” pushes students to take responsibility over their individual academic journeys. Thanks to California Polytechnic State University’s rigorous, success-oriented academic environment, the University ensures that students are actively involved in unique educational experiences.
ALTERNATIVE BREAKS
Students may choose to participate in alternative breaks, which leads them through service and care within an area in need. Alternative breaks are a great way for students to assess their own privileges against those who are less fortunate. This can be an eye-opening experience that introduces students to the true power they have in effecting change.
Acceptance rate 38% • Net price $20,491 • SAT Range 1220-1410 • Students submitting SAT scores 80%
Total Undergrad Population 22,440 • Setting Suburb • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 83% • Retention rate 94% • Student-to-faculty ratio 21:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Electronics and Communications Engineering
Engineering Science
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
As part of the world-class California State University system, Cal State Fullerton prepares its diverse student body for success in a global society. Titans actively engage in hands-on learning, research, clubs and organizations, and volunteer work that enriches the local community.
Cal State Fullerton may be the largest CSU campus with more than 34,000 undergraduate students, but its mission to provide high-impact immersive learning ensures personal, fulfilling experiences for every student. Located in Orange County, CSUF is near Los Angeles, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the beautiful California coastline. Students thrive with the support of one-on-one academic advising, college career specialists, and student success initiatives.
Acceptance rate 68% • Net price $8,322 • SAT Range 1000-1180 • Students submitting SAT scores 97%
Total Undergrad Population 42,051 • Setting Suburb • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 69% • Retention rate 89% • Student-to-faculty ratio 27:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year
Loyola Marymount University is rooted in its Roman Catholic tradition—a relationship that is directly connected to the school’s personal and academic goals and success. LMU promotes both the intellectual and personal growth of each student. The University’s commitment to Catholicism drives a socially conscious mindset and students are taught to become contributing members of the global community.
SERVICE AT LMU
Every month, LMU takes on a new service initiative with a local non-profit agency. The service project is communicated to the entire LMU campus community. Details of the project, as well as volunteer needs are shared with the student body. Projects change every month, allowing LMU to touch several different parts of the community.
El Espejo: El Espejo is Spanish for mirror and serves as the motto for a service initiative. Here “mirror” is used to emphasize reflection—where volunteers work to find a common connection between them and those they are helping. El Espejo connects LMU students with at-risk middle school students in the community. The mission of this initiative is to educate and mentor students on the importance and potential of intellectual and personal growth.
Acceptance rate 50% • Net price $48,758 • SAT Range 1210-1390 • Students submitting SAT scores 65%
Total Undergrad Population 9,686 • Setting City: Large • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 83% • Retention rate 83% • Student-to-faculty ratio 10:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Civil Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Engineering Physics
Mechanical Engineering
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
San Francisco State University, part of the California State University system is a public institution in northern California. Over 23,000 undergraduates explore opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.
SF State’s motto is Experientia Docet — Experience Teaches. Graduates consistently say that hands-on learning was what helped them most when beginning their careers. Students apply their talents and classroom learning to real-world challenges through community-service learning, credit-earning internships, and participation with community-focused centers and institutes that address issues relating to health, education, the environment, business, child care, and underserved communities.
Acceptance rate 84% • Net price $14,757 • SAT Range 930-1130 • Students submitting SAT scores 89%
Total Undergrad Population 27,349 • Setting City: Large • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 55% • Retention rate 82% • Student-to-faculty ratio 22:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
San José State University
San José, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
Succeed in your personal and professional life with an education from San José State University. SJSU is a Public University in San José, California.
As one of the most transformative universities in the nation, San José State is ready for big change. As part of Transformation 2030, SJSU’s strategic plan, the campus community is dedicated to realizing the university’s potential as a nationally prominent urban public university. San José State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study. With approximately 36,000 students and nearly 4,300 employees, SJSU is an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and California.
Acceptance rate 67% • Net price $15,995 • SAT Range 1010-1240 • Students submitting SAT scores 93%
Total Undergrad Population 36,208 • Setting City: Large • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 66% • Retention rate 86% • Student-to-faculty ratio 25:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
Engineering-Related Fields
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year
Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university, offers its students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering as well as engineering Ph.D.s and master’s and law degrees. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master’s universities, SCU strives to educate citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world.
SCU, founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus, was established on the site of Mission Santa Clara de Asis, the eighth of 21 California missions. Today, the University is committed to promoting academic excellence, enriching its educational experience through the Jesuit philosophy of educating the whole person, fostering an engaged community, and realizing opportunities available through its location in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Acceptance rate 51% • Net price $48,284 • SAT Range 1270-1450 • Students submitting SAT scores 68%
Total Undergrad Population 8,616 • Setting City: Midsize • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 92% • Retention rate 93% • Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Engineering Physics
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
University of California, Davis is a public university in northern California. UC Davis has over 30,000 students studying 107 academic majors. Over 50% of undergraduate Aggies participate in meaningful research.
Whether you’re interested in laboratories or libraries, at UC Davis you can get hands-on research experience. And you’ll be working with top-notch faculty mentors and some of the best graduate students in the world. Undergraduates are encouraged to dive into research at UC Davis. You can do it through internships on campus, at the UC Davis Medical Center, with local industry or under the guidance of a professor.
Acceptance rate 46% • Net price $17,026 • SAT Range 1160-1400 • Students submitting SAT scores 90%
Total Undergrad Population 39,074 • Setting Suburb • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 86% • Retention rate 93% • Student-to-faculty ratio 20:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Engineering Physics
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
University of California, Irvine is home to 29,000 undergraduate students. With over 85 bachelor’s degrees offered UCI students have many academic options. UC Irvine is a public university in Orange County, California. In 1965, the University of California, Irvine was founded with a mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and dedicated public service.
Acceptance rate 30% • Net price $13,106 • SAT Range 1230-1430 • Students submitting SAT scores 91%
Total Undergrad Population 36,303 • Setting City: Large • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 85% • Retention rate 94% • Student-to-faculty ratio 18:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
UC Santa Barbara is a noted institution located on the edge of the Pacific, a perfect natural environment for research. The serene atmosphere is conducive not only to academic success, but also many outdoor and recreational activities.
UCDC
The UCDC program is a partnership between schools in California and Washington D.C. Though this program, students from UCSB and other California institutions are able to work, study, and intern in the nation’s capital. UCDC is open to junior and senior students looking to expand their educational and hands-on experience. Some elect to do an internship, which requires 32 hours of work a week, while others choose to complete a research seminar and take elective courses for credit.
UCEAP
The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) provides UC students a range of global education and internship opportunities. There are 393 programs available in 43 countries, providing students with plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most popular destinations include: Australia, France, Hong Kong, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, and Spain.
Acceptance rate 37% • Net price $17,223 • SAT Range 1230-1460 • Students submitting SAT scores 82%
Total Undergrad Population 26,179 • Setting Suburb • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 84% • Retention rate 91% • Student-to-faculty ratio 18:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Chemical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
UC Santa Cruz has a steadfast commitment to the intellectual growth of its students, all while promoting environmental stewardship and active engagement with the community. Such impactful work is led by faculty who care for each student as capable, hard-working individuals.
Acceptance rate 65% • Net price $17,842 • SAT Range 1160-1360 • Students submitting SAT scores 89%
Total Undergrad Population 19,161 • Setting City: Small • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 76% • Retention rate 85% • Student-to-faculty ratio 25:1
Engineering Majors Offered
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Computer Engineering Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
What it’s like to attend engineering school in California and other FAQ:
The average undergraduate tuition & fees for colleges in California is $3,908 for in-state students at public institutions, $19,968 for out-of-state students at public institutions, and $22,781 for students at private institutions.
Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Computer Software Engineering
AECOM
Northrop Grumman
SpaceX
Boeing
Lockheed Martin Corporation
BKF Engineers
Google
HDR
Stantec
Mechanical Engineering – 3,882 degrees awarded in 2020
Electrical Electronics and Communications Engineering – 2,423 graduates
Civil Engineering – 2,159 graduates
Computer Engineering – 2,103 graduates
Biomedical/Medical Engineering – 1,065 graduates
California State University, Fullerton has an average net price of $8,322 making it the least expensive engineering degree program in California that made our list.
Cal Poly Humboldt has an acceptance rate of 85%, with an SAT range of 970-1190, making it the least exclusive college with an engineering program on our list.
University of California, Davis has a median total debt after graduation of $13,199. This is the typical debt for a student who completed their undergraduate degree.
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