Cheapest Engineering Colleges in California

Stanford's need-based aid makes engineering programs surprisingly accessible at $12,136 net cost, while UC San Diego offers the lowest price at $11,750 annually. California State University-Chico graduates earn $66,355 within six years of completing their degrees, the highest among these six programs. California's aerospace and tech sectors, from SpaceX to Silicon Valley startups, create strong demand for engineering specializations beyond traditional mechanical and electrical fields.

Programs

$11,750 – $30,799

Net Price Range

$57,187

Avg. Program Earnings

77.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Engineering, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
2	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
3	California State University-Chico Chico, California	$14,838	$8,064	63.6%	95.0%
4	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
5	Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California	$27,384	$64,150	95.2%	10.4%
6	University of Silicon Valley San Jose, California	$30,799	$22,480	34.9%	64.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between California engineering programs?

Graduation rates span from 34.9% at University of Silicon Valley to 95.2% at Claremont McKenna College. Public universities like UC Berkeley and UC San Diego maintain rates above 87%, while the for-profit University of Silicon Valley struggles with student retention and completion.

How do admission rates affect program accessibility in California?

Cal State Chico accepts 95% of applicants while Stanford admits just 3.68%, creating vastly different entry points into engineering education. Mid-tier options like University of Silicon Valley accept 64.66% of students, offering alternatives for those seeking less competitive admission processes.

Does private university cost always exceed public options for engineering students?

Stanford's generous financial aid results in a $12,136 net cost, barely above UC San Diego's $11,750. However, Claremont McKenna College costs $27,384 annually, demonstrating that private institutions vary significantly in their actual affordability after aid calculations.

More Engineering, Other Rankings

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