Cheapest Engineering Physics Colleges in California

California Institute of Technology delivers the state's most accessible Engineering Physics education at $18,902 net cost despite its 2.69% acceptance rate. Public universities dominate affordability with UC San Diego at $11,750 and UC Berkeley at $14,979, while private options range up to $50,959. This pricing advantage matters in California's tech-heavy economy where SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and semiconductor companies actively recruit physics-trained engineers. The $39,209 gap between cheapest and most expensive programs reflects the state's mix of top-tier public research universities and selective private colleges.

Programs

$11,750 – $50,959

Net Price Range

78.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Engineering Physics 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	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
3	California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California	$18,902	$63,255	93.2%	2.7%
4	University of the Pacific Stockton, California	$25,926	$55,340	67.8%	93.2%
5	Biola University La Mirada, California	$28,101	$46,704	68.8%	56.6%
6	Whittier College Whittier, California	$29,871	$49,864	63.4%	75.5%
7	Westmont College Santa Barbara, California	$32,926	$51,790	70.1%	82.0%
8	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	$45,723	$58,974	79.8%	41.3%
9	Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, California	$50,168	$43,550	73.8%	81.9%
10	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	$50,959	$59,241	88.5%	52.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UC San Diego's $11,750 net cost so competitive for Engineering Physics?

UC San Diego combines California's solid public funding with strong industry connections in La Jolla's biotech corridor. The 87.60% graduation rate indicates solid program completion despite the low cost.

How does Caltech justify its $18,902 net cost with only 2.69% acceptance?

Caltech's need-based aid brings costs below many state schools while maintaining a 93.20% graduation rate. The institute's direct pipeline to aerospace and tech companies makes the investment worthwhile for admitted students.

Does the $39,209 cost difference between schools affect graduate outcomes?

UC Berkeley graduates 92.90% of students at $14,979 while Santa Clara achieves 88.50% at $50,959. The data suggests California's public universities deliver comparable results at significantly lower costs.

Where do private colleges like University of the Pacific fit in California's market?

Pacific charges $25,926 net with a 93.23% acceptance rate, offering middle-ground pricing between ultra-competitive publics and expensive privates. The 67.80% graduation rate reflects broader accessibility but lower completion.

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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.