Best Value Electrical Colleges in California

California State University-Los Angeles delivers electrical engineering education at just $4,113 net cost while UC Berkeley commands $14,979 but rewards graduates with $128,868 median earnings. This 31-fold cost difference highlights the complex value equation facing California engineering students. The state's 15 tracked programs span from budget-conscious CSU campuses to elite research universities, with earnings ranging from $54,713 to nearly $129,000. California's position as home to Silicon Valley giants like Apple and Google, plus aerospace leaders including SpaceX, creates strong demand for electrical and electronics engineers. The Cal Grant program helps level the playing field by covering tuition for qualifying students at public institutions. However, the stark reality remains that net costs vary by more than $11,500 between the cheapest and most expensive options, while graduation rates fluctuate from 50% to 93%. Students must weigh immediate affordability against long-term earning potential in a state where electrical engineers design everything from smartphone chips to rocket guidance systems.

Programs

$4,113 – $50,959

Net Price Range

$72,807

Avg. Program Earnings

73.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

32 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$4,113	$59,124	$6,813	52.6%	86.9%
2	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, California	$5,646	$65,610	$7,073	69.2%	66.7%
3	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$70,009	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
4	California State University-Northridge Northridge, California	$7,599	$73,070	$7,095	56.2%	91.2%
5	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$128,868	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
6	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$8,931	$67,287	$7,008	69.9%	40.0%
7	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$84,653	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
8	California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, California	$10,512	$70,596	$7,602	55.8%	93.2%
9	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$69,930	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
10	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$83,915	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
11	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$69,606	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
12	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$73,720	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
13	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$72,134	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
14	San Francisco State University San Francisco, California	$12,882	$66,171	$7,424	50.1%	94.2%
15	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$79,647	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
16	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$65,387	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
17	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$66,076	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
18	San Diego State University San Diego, California	$16,174	$69,757	$8,290	78.3%	39.3%
19	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$69,338	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
20	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California	$13,801	$54,713	$8,190	60.5%	94.0%
21	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$80,567	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%
22	University of San Diego San Diego, California	$31,265	$75,706	$56,444	81.6%	52.6%
23	Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, California	$27,735	$58,673	$20,515	79.4%
24	University of the Pacific Stockton, California	$25,926		$55,340	67.8%	93.2%
25	National University San Diego, California	$31,058		$13,320	50.0%
26	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	$45,723		$58,974	79.8%	41.3%
27	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288		$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
28	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	$50,959		$59,241	88.5%	52.1%
29	California State University-Chico Chico, California	$14,838		$8,064	63.6%	95.0%
30	California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield, California	$5,825		$7,696	49.3%	86.6%
31	California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California	$18,902		$63,255	93.2%	2.7%
32	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$27,384		$39,720	59.5%	79.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UC Berkeley worth nearly four times the cost of Cal State LA for electrical engineering?

UC Berkeley electrical engineering graduates earn $128,868 median salary compared to $59,124 from Cal State LA, creating a $69,744 annual difference. Berkeley maintains a 93% graduation rate and accepts only 11% of applicants, indicating highly selective academics. The university's proximity to Silicon Valley and research partnerships with tech companies provide unmatched internship and career opportunities. While the $10,866 cost difference seems significant, Berkeley graduates typically recover this premium within months of employment.

How do Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's outcomes justify its higher costs among Cal State schools?

Cal Poly SLO charges $15,624 net cost but delivers $79,647 median earnings, the third-highest among all California programs tracked. The university achieves an 85% graduation rate while accepting just 30% of applicants, creating a more selective environment than typical CSU campuses. Its hands-on engineering curriculum and industry connections help graduates command salaries nearly $10,000 above the state average. The additional $4,000 annual investment over cheaper Cal State options pays dividends through superior career outcomes.

Is Stanford University a good value despite its private school premium?

Stanford's $12,136 net cost actually undercuts several UC campuses while maintaining a 93% graduation rate and 3.7% acceptance rate. Graduates earn $84,653 median salary, ranking fourth statewide and substantially above most public alternatives. The university's need-based financial aid program eliminates tuition for families earning under $150,000, making it surprisingly affordable for qualified students. Stanford's Silicon Valley location provides direct pipeline access to top tech employers seeking electrical and electronics engineers.

Does geographic location significantly impact electrical engineering salaries in California?

Bay Area programs like UC Berkeley ($128,868) and Stanford ($84,653) produce the highest-earning graduates, reflecting Silicon Valley's premium compensation. San Jose State graduates earn $73,720 despite the university's lower selectivity, benefiting from direct proximity to tech companies. Southern California programs show more modest but still solid returns, with UCLA reaching $83,915 and Cal State Fullerton achieving $65,610. The $70,000+ salary gap between top and bottom programs often correlates with regional industry concentration and cost of living.

Where can students find the best balance of affordability and career outcomes?

Cal State Northridge offers strong value at $7,599 net cost while producing graduates earning $73,070, nearly matching more expensive alternatives. Cal State Fresno provides another strong option at $6,480 with $70,009 median earnings, though graduation rates remain modest at 55%. UC San Diego balances moderate costs ($11,750) with solid outcomes ($69,606 earnings, 88% graduation rate) for students seeking UC prestige without Berkeley's premium. These programs deliver strong returns while maintaining accessibility for middle-income California families.

More Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Rankings

Cheapest Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering in California Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Under $20,000 in California

All Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs Best Colleges in California Best Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering in California

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.