2023 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in California
13
Ranked Colleges
1,386
Degrees Awarded
$14,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 11,796 people earned their degree in general engineering, making the major the 79th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,873 and had an average of $20,557 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 1,386 general engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $85,262 and $12,259 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 13 colleges that offer a degree in general engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Engineering Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 13 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in California
Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #1 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 5 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $9,999 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at University of California - Berkeley
Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 123 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for California Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Davis.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at UC Davis
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 58 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCLA General Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 17 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Fresno State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $4,655 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at Fresno State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $13,378 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Engineering at San Jose State
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 52 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read more about General Engineering at University of California - Riverside
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 8 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,194 for California Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo General Engineering Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is located in Pomona, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,992 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona
Santa Clara University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SCU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clara, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, SCU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Clara University is $23,508 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Engineering at Santa Clara University
Harvey Mudd College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 58 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Harvey Mudd College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Harvey Mudd College is $20,829 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on General Engineering at Harvey Mudd College
San Francisco State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 29 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,862 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SFSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Engineering at San Francisco State University
University of San Diego landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
USD also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $22,334 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USD.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of San Diego General Engineering Report
University of the Pacific landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Stockton, California, and it awarded 34 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pacific has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of the Pacific is $23,162 for california engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about General Engineering at University of the Pacific
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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
- *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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Rémi Kaupp.
