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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
2,764 Degrees Awarded
$23,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master's in California For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Computer Science is the 19th most popular major in the country with 53,722 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $66,561 and had an average of $23,565 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 12,060 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $70,794 and $21,538 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,764 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in computer science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great computer science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Computer Science Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science in California (With Aid)

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s compsci degrees to 306 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at Stanford University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State LA Computer Science Report

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #3 spot on the list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 294 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read more about Computer Science at University of California - San Diego

#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Dominguez Hills. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884.

Read more about Computer Science at California State University - Dominguez Hills

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 101 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Fullerton Computer Science Report

#5 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 65 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Irvine Computer Science Report

#21 in overall quality

California State University - Fresno landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 18 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Fresno State also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581.

Full Fresno State Computer Science Report

#4 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of California - Berkeley

#13 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSULB is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Computer Science Report

California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 12 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at CSUN

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at UCR

#12

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Computer Science Report

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 42 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at SDSU

#14

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students with aid list, CSUSB has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSB are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB Computer Science Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 39 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356.

Full California State University - Sacramento Computer Science Report

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 28 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Computer Science Report

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Jose State Computer Science Report

#23 in overall quality

California State University - San Marcos ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Marcos, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s compsci degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Marcos are $18,661.

Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - San Marcos

#19 in overall quality

California State University - East Bay landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - East Bay are $17,828, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - East Bay Computer Science Report

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read full report on Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz

#21

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#17 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree compsci students with aid list, SFSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944.

Read more about Computer Science at San Francisco State University

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s compsci degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

CSUCI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Channel Islands are $17,755, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at California State University - Channel Islands

#23

National University

La Jolla, California

National University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. La Jolla, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s compsci degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

National University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full National University Computer Science Report

#24

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 996 diplomas to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

USC also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Southern California

#25

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#8 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of San Francisco is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 38 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA also took the #8 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of San Francisco Computer Science Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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