Skip to main content

Cheapest Electrical Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Stanford University's electrical engineering program costs just $12,136 annually for qualifying students despite its $62,484 sticker price, making it one of the most surprising affordable options in California. The gap between Stanford and the cheapest public option at Cal State LA is only $8,023 in net cost. California State University campuses dominate the most affordable tier, with nine programs under $14,000 annually. Silicon Valley companies like Apple, Google, and Tesla create massive demand for electrical engineers, with starting salaries ranging from $54,713 to over $128,868 depending on the program. The state's Cal Grant system helps bridge affordability gaps at public universities, while private institutions like Stanford offer substantial need-based aid. California produces more electrical engineers than any other state, feeding into aerospace giants like SpaceX and semiconductor companies throughout the region.
32
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
2 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
3 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
4 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
5 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
6 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
7 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
8 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
9 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
10 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
11 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
12 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
13 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
14 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
15 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
16 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
17 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
18 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
19 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
20 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
21 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
22 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
23 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
24 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
25 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
26 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
27 $27,735 $20,515 79.4%
28 $31,058 $13,320 50.0%
29 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
30 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
31 $45,723 $58,974 79.8% 41.3%
32 $50,959 $59,241 88.5% 52.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Stanford University affordable for electrical engineering despite being private?

Stanford's net cost of $12,136 reflects substantial need-based financial aid that covers most of the $62,484 sticker price. Students from families earning under $150,000 typically pay no tuition. The program graduates earn $84,653 on average, justifying the investment. Stanford accepts only 3.68% of applicants but maintains a 92.80% graduation rate.

How do California State University campuses compare in electrical engineering costs?

Cal State LA offers the lowest net cost at $4,113, followed by Fullerton at $5,646 and Bakersfield at $5,825. Most CSU campuses maintain in-state tuition around $7,000 annually. Graduation rates vary significantly, from 49.30% at Bakersfield to 69.90% at Long Beach. Average debt loads range from $14,500 to $25,875 across the system.

Is University of California worth the higher cost than CSU for electrical engineering?

UC San Diego costs $11,750 net with an 87.60% graduation rate, compared to most CSU programs under $10,000 with 50-70% rates. UC Irvine graduates earn $65,387 versus $59,124 at Cal State LA. UC programs accept 21-24% of applicants while most CSU campuses accept over 80%. The earnings difference may justify the $5,000-7,000 annual premium.

Where do California electrical engineering graduates find the highest-paying jobs?

Silicon Valley offers the highest salaries, with San Jose State graduates averaging $73,720 despite the program's $13,741 cost. Stanford graduates command $84,653 average salaries in tech companies. Cal State Northridge graduates earn $73,070 working for aerospace firms in Los Angeles. Even graduates from lower-cost programs like Fresno earn $70,009, reflecting strong statewide demand.

Does program selectivity correlate with electrical engineering outcomes in California?

Stanford accepts 3.68% of applicants and produces $84,653 earners with 92.80% graduation rates. UC San Diego accepts 23.71% with 87.60% graduation and $69,606 earnings. However, San Jose State accepts 76.71% but still produces high earners at $73,720. Cal State Long Beach accepts just 39.95% and maintains a 69.90% graduation rate, suggesting selectivity helps but location matters more.

More Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Rankings

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

Related

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.