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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

14 Ranked Colleges
1,288 Degrees Awarded
$34,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

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 Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 200,458 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, engineering is the 6th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,888 and had an average of $23,564 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 25,440 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,620 and $21,114 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,288 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 14 colleges that offer a degree in engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Engineering Schools

The engineering school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california doctor’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 14 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 275 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Caltech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pasadena, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Caltech has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at Caltech

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s engineering degrees to 179 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at University of California - Berkeley

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 143 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’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 - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Full UCLA Engineering Report

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 90 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at UC Irvine

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 90 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’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 UC Davis are $28,700.

Full University of California - Davis Engineering Report

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 164 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’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 UCSD are $28,631.

Read full report on Engineering at UCSD

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Riverside, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s engineering degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCR has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Engineering Report

#9

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 49 doctorate’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at University of California - Santa Barbara

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at SDSU

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 123 doctorate’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at USC

#12

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’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 Engineering at UC Santa Cruz

#13 in overall quality

University of California - Merced ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s engineering degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at University of California - Merced

#14

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
#8 in overall quality

Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Doctorate in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. SCU is a medium-sized school located in Santa Clara, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

SCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SCU are $23,507, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at SCU

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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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