What Are the Best Software Engineering Schools in California?

California is home to some of the best regional universities in the western region of the nation. As a result, choosing a school in the state can be an excellent way to gain quality knowledge and a recognized degree. If you’re looking for a software engineering education, we’ve summarized some of the best schools in California to help your search — though of course, which school is ultimately best for you will depend on a wide variety of factors unique to you.

Note that some of these schools offer accessible online and in-person programs. If you want to enroll in a virtual program, this article also covers California’s best online software engineering schools. Furthermore, we’ll examine California school rankings to give you an idea of the reputation of these schools.

How to Choose a Good Software Engineering School in California

To choose the best software engineering school in California, you should consider factors such as academic support, location, cost, and career services. While the college search process can be stressful, considering these factors will help you create a smooth pathway.  

Academic Support

How the school assists students with academics is an essential factor in what kind of education you will be getting. While some schools offer little support and foster an environment of independence, other schools offer options like free tutoring groups and career assistance. You should assess what kind of student you are and what kind of support you need.

Location

You should consider the distance of the school from your home. The cost of transportation and the ease of seeing your loved ones during the holidays are important factors to keep in mind. You also need to do research to find out what it’s like to live on campus and whether you can afford to live in a dorm. 

Cost

Estimated tuition costs do not represent the total cost of attending a school. Those fees do not typically include compulsory miscellaneous expenses. It’s recommended that you ask about financial aid and scholarship opportunities at the school you are interested in to see if there are suitable options.

California Software Engineering School Rankings: What Schools Have the Best Software Engineering Programs?

Software Engineering Schools Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Software Engineering Schools in California

To rank the best software engineering schools, we used U.S. News & World Report’s breakdown of the best programs as a guide. We also took into consideration the subject-specific rankings conducted by Times Higher Education as well as factors such as graduation rate, acceptance rate, and affordability. 

Best Software Engineering Schools in California Explained

The best places to study software engineering are the schools with outstanding academic records. They provide four-year degree programs with comparably reasonable annual tuition. Students can also choose to further their studies after completing their undergraduate education. In the below section, we’ll take a deep-dive into some top institutions with software engineering programs—info has been gathered from school websites, U.S. News and World Report profiles, and U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard profiles as of October 2025.

Software Engineering Associate Degree Schools

1. American River College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. This college is a good place to get an Associate Degree in Computer Science because it offers broad exposure to programming languages, computing technology, and problem-solving in preparation for software development careers.
2. Cosumnes River College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Taking the computer science program at Cosumnes River College offers you the chance to study operating systems security, computer networking, and computer applications. This course meets the needs of undergraduate students who plan to complete a software engineering degree program. 
3. Folsom Lake College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. This program offers core courses such as calculus, object oriented programming, data structures, and structured programming. These courses will help you stay grounded when you enroll in a software engineering bachelor’s degree program. 
4. Sacramento City College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Sacramento City College’s computer science program prepares students for systems analysis and software development careers. It teaches the basics of programming languages, databases, and operating systems to students looking to attend a university.   
5. Bakersfield College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Bakersfield designed this program to help students enhance their technical skills. They learn to identify key software development technologies and implement programming functions. Students also get to understand the complex systems of algorithms. 

Software Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs

1. California Baptist University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. CBU’s computer science program builds on STEM principles and teaches undergraduate students how to develop sophisticated tech solutions, including fundamentals of software engineering, designing and implementing computing-based solutions, communication and leadership, and more.
2. California State Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. Cal Poly’s motto is to learn by doing, which is the same value it adopts in this program. The BS program includes data structures, systems programming, and game development design courses. Furthermore, students engage in experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation to form conclusions.  
3. California State University-Fullerton | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. California State University-Fullerton is a diverse and academically exceptional institution. It offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, which teaches software engineering concepts and programming skills.  
4. San Jose State University | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. San Jose State University has one of the best engineering programs in the nation. This bachelor’s degree helps students become exceptional engineers in IT leading companies in Silicon Valley and all over the world.
5. University of California-Irvine | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. This major gives students a solid foundation in software engineering and computer science. Students who take this major will be introduced to courses like computer game development and programming.

Best Undergraduate Software Engineering Schools in California 

If you just completed high school or would like to switch to software engineering, you’re probably wondering what school is good for you. In the sections below, we will look at some of the best software engineering associate degrees and the best bachelor’s degrees. Graduates can become software architects, systems managers, or even master’s degree candidates.

Software Engineering Associate Degree Schools

1. American River College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. This college is a good place to get an Associate Degree in Computer Science because it offers broad exposure to programming languages, computing technology, and problem-solving in preparation for software development careers.
2. Cosumnes River College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Taking the computer science program at Cosumnes River College offers you the chance to study operating systems security, computer networking, and computer applications. This course meets the needs of undergraduate students who plan to complete a software engineering degree program. 
3. Folsom Lake College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. This program offers core courses such as calculus, object oriented programming, data structures, and structured programming. These courses will help you stay grounded when you enroll in a software engineering bachelor’s degree program. 
4. Sacramento City College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Sacramento City College’s computer science program prepares students for systems analysis and software development careers. It teaches the basics of programming languages, databases, and operating systems to students looking to attend a university.   
5. Bakersfield College | Associate of Science in Computer Science. Bakersfield designed this program to help students enhance their technical skills. They learn to identify key software development technologies and implement programming functions. Students also get to understand the complex systems of algorithms. 

Software Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Programs

University of California-Irvine | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. This major gives students a solid foundation in software engineering and computer science. Students who take this major will be introduced to courses like computer game development and programming.

California Baptist University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. CBU’s computer science program builds on STEM principles and teaches undergraduate students how to develop sophisticated tech solutions, including fundamentals of software engineering, designing and implementing computing-based solutions, communication and leadership, and more.

California State Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. Cal Poly’s motto is to learn by doing, which is the same value it adopts in this program. The BS program includes data structures, systems programming, and game development design courses. Furthermore, students engage in experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation to form conclusions.  

California State University-Fullerton | Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. California State University-Fullerton is a diverse and academically exceptional institution. It offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, which teaches software engineering concepts and programming skills.  

San Jose State University | Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. San Jose State University has one of the best engineering programs in the nation. This bachelor’s degree helps students become exceptional engineers in IT leading companies in Silicon Valley and all over the world.

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Best Graduate Schools for Software Engineering in California

Once you complete your undergraduate degree, you can further your studies in the subject by enrolling in a master’s or PhD program. In the sections below, we will discuss some of the best master’s degrees and best doctorates in software engineering.

Schools for Master’s in Software Engineering

1. California State Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo | Master of Science in Computer Science. Cal Poly has a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic experience that prepares its students for future challenges. That makes it a great choice for studying software engineering. Its MS program prepares you for careers in the field and includes courses such as the theory of computation and computational linguistics. 
2. California State University-Fullerton | Master of Science in Software Engineering. CSU is ideal for learning software engineering because of its collaborative approach to learning. Its master’s program covers software architecture, software testing, software project management, and ethics.
3. California State University-Northridge | Master of Science in Software Engineering. The numerous special programs and extended learning opportunities available at California State University-Northridge are more than enough reasons to enroll in this MS program. The program’s curriculum comprises core software design and implementation courses with elective courses in related areas of your choosing.
4. International Technical University (ITU) | MS in Software Engineering. ITU’s Computer Science Department designed this program for both software engineering and computer science students. Its curriculum includes advanced topics, artificial intelligence, software, and cloud architecture. 
5. San Jose State University | Master of Science Software Engineering. San Jose State University is one of the nation’s most transformative universities. This graduate program provides an academic experience that integrates software development and computer science.

PhD in Software Engineering Universities

1. California Institute of Technology | PhD in Computer Science. This program provides graduate students with the opportunity to understand information and computation as internal components of engineered systems. They also give a firm grounding in computer algorithms and provide an introduction to state-of-the-art research.
2. Stanford University | PhD in Computer Science. Stanford University currently has 20 Nobel prize winners in its community. You may get a chance to work with them by enrolling in its computer science PhD program. The program is for computer specialists who want to acquire the skill and knowledge to perform state-of-the-art research on the development and evolution of complex software systems.   
3. University of California-Davis | PhD in Computer Science. UC-Davis fosters collaboration between students and faculty. Its PhD in computer science prepares you to solve long-term research problems using advanced technology with the aid of colleagues and faculty members.
4. University of California-Irvine | PhD in Software Engineering. This innovative program is experiential with a focus on real-life challenges. Students perform research, create new infrastructures and develop new theories about software.

Admission Requirements for Software Engineering Schools in California 

The basic admission requirements for schools in California are different for undergraduate and graduate students. You may need certain qualifications like SAT/ACT results or your GRE scores, as well as your high school or college transcripts. To help you have a seamless application, we’ve listed some common requirements in the sections below—however, you’ll want to reach out to each school’s admissions departments to get full details about what you’ll need. 

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

• Complete an online application form
• Pay the application fee
• Submit SAT/ACT scores
• Submit high school transcripts
• Meet the Minimum Eligibility Index, typically around 2.5–3.0

Graduate Admission Requirements

Submit a copy of your resume

Complete the online application form

Submit undergraduate transcripts

Submit GRE scores

Submit a letter of recommendation and essay

Submit a statement of objectives

Is It Hard to Get Into a School for Software Engineering in California?

Though it varies, it is often hard to get into a school for software engineering in California. This is because many have low acceptance rates and strict requirements. There are schools with open admissions, but these schools are less competitive and may offer less regarded degrees. However, if you choose the right college and market yourself correctly, you can get into some top colleges.

Easiest Colleges to Get Into in California for Software Engineering 

1. California State University-Sacramento | Acceptance Rate: 93%. Sacramento State has nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate programs each. Its student tuition fees are among the lowest in the nation, and most students receive financial aid. You can earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and your Master’s in Software Engineering at this school.
2. California Baptist University | Acceptance Rate: 85%. CBU is a private school that provides an academic experience that aims to merge professional and personal development. Its academic reputation makes it one of the top universities in the southern region of the state. Also, it offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Software Engineering.
3. California State University-Channel Islands | Acceptance Rate: 93%. This school is a public institution that offers over 50 majors and minors that emphasize real-world experiences and service learning. If you want to study software engineering, you can enroll in bachelor’s and master’s programs in computer science topics.
4. California State University-Fullerton | Acceptance Rate: 91%. This public school offers an academic curriculum covering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. It doesn’t provide software engineering as a bachelor’s degree, but it is available as a master’s program.

Best Online Schools for Software Engineering in California

The best online schools for software engineering in the state include California State University-Fullerton, National University, and San Jose State University. These schools allow you to learn on your schedule and from the comfort of your home. Keep in mind that many offer hybrid programs, where there are some online courses and some in-person courses.Is It Hard to Get Into a School for Software Engineering in California?

Though it varies, it is often hard to get into a school for software engineering in California. This is because many have low acceptance rates and strict requirements. There are schools with open admissions, but these schools are less competitive and may offer less regarded degrees. However, if you choose the right college and market yourself correctly, you can get into some top colleges.

Easiest Colleges to Get Into in California for Software Engineering 

California State University-Fullerton | Acceptance Rate: 91%. This public school offers an academic curriculum covering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. It doesn’t provide software engineering as a bachelor’s degree, but it is available as a master’s program.

California State University-Sacramento | Acceptance Rate: 93%. Sacramento State has nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate programs each. Its student tuition fees are among the lowest in the nation, and most students receive financial aid. You can earn your Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and your Master’s in Software Engineering at this school.

California Baptist University | Acceptance Rate: 85%. CBU is a private school that provides an academic experience that aims to merge professional and personal development. Its academic reputation makes it one of the top universities in the southern region of the state. Also, it offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Software Engineering.

California State University-Channel Islands | Acceptance Rate: 93%. This school is a public institution that offers over 50 majors and minors that emphasize real-world experiences and service learning. If you want to study software engineering, you can enroll in bachelor’s and master’s programs in computer science topics.

Best Online Schools for Software Engineering in California

The best online schools for software engineering in the state include California State University-Fullerton, National University, and San Jose State University. These schools allow you to learn on your schedule and from the comfort of your home. Keep in mind that many offer hybrid programs, where there are some online courses and some in-person courses.

The Most Affordable Colleges for Software Engineering in California

The most affordable colleges for software engineering include the University of California in Irvine and the California State Universities in the Channel Islands, Fullerton, Northridge, and Sacramento. You can find an affordable degree at any of these schools.

California State University-Fullerton | Average Annual Cost: $5,646

In spite of its affordable tuition fees, the California State University-Fullerton still offers financial aid to students who express financial need. All you have to do is submit your California Dream Act (CDA) or Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next academic year to the financial aid office.

California State University-Northridge | Average Annual Cost: $7,599

In CSU Northridge, financial aid is available to students in different forms. They include grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships. The school provides scholarship awards such as GE Honors Rising Scholar Award, CSUN Dreamers Scholarship, Matador Scholarship Program, and Presidential Scholarship.

California State University-Channel Islands | Average Annual Cost: $9,792

CSU Channel Islands makes it possible for you to study with the help of the financial aid the school provides. You can apply for federal or state grants, loans, and on-campus or off-campus scholarships. An award will be made to you to help you pay for college if you meet the stated qualifications.

California State University-Sacramento | Average Annual Cost: $10,512

At Sacramento State, there are means by which you can study cheaply. If you are a citizen or eligible non-citizen, you need to have your FAFSA application. But as a non-U.S. citizen, you need to have your DREAM Application. This way, you will be eligible to apply for Engineering and Computer Science scholarships.

University of California-Irvine | Average Annual Cost: $12,840

UCI seeks to help students explore their passions by helping them with financial aid. This is done through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships’ annual online scholarship. You can also start by setting up a profile in ScholarshipUniverse. If you want a cheap degree, this one could be a good choice.

How to Attend the Top Software Engineering Schools in California With Financial Aid 

According to Statista, graduate students in the United States received over $40 billion in federal loans in the 2023/2024 academic year.¹ However, there are lots of grant and scholarship opportunities if you meet the right requirements. These requirements can include financial need, FAFSA application, academic excellence, and more. The section below will look at five of the best software engineering scholarships for students.

Best Software Engineering Scholarships for California Students

• California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program | Amount: up to $4,500 per year. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) awards this grant to 1,667 eligible students. These students must have an active California Dream Act Application, demonstrate financial need, and complete 300 service hours.
• Chafee Grant for Foster Youth | Amount: up to $5,000 per year. This is one of the awards put together by the California Student Aid Commission. You must be a current or former foster you and be 16 to 25 years old to apply. Also, you can use your grant at any eligible college, university, or technical school, even if it is out of state.]
• Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award | Amount: Covers tuition and fees. This grant is for students who want to transfer from a California Community College to a four-year university. Students must submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application and have a minimum GPA of 2.4.
• Cal Grant Competitive Awards | Amount: Covers tuition and fees. This grant is for students who are ineligible for the Cal Grant Entitlement Award. Also, it is limited to 13,000 awards each year. The deadline is March 2 of each award year, and applicants must submit a FAFSA or Dream Act Application.
• California Military Department GI Bill Award Program | Amount: Covers tuition and fees. This is for students who wish to be a part of the California State Guard, National Guard, or the Naval Militia. You must also be enrolled in a qualifying institution, be a state resident for at least one year, and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

California Employment Outlook for Software Engineering

Despite recent slowdowns in the tech industry overall, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the California employment outlook remains relatively positive. They project a 15% job growth rate from 2024–2034 for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers in the U.S.—and they note that California has the highest employment and highest average salary for software developers.^2,3

In addition, the state has some of the best entry-level jobs in the software engineering field that you can take on during and after your program. If you choose an affordable degree program, you could find yourself in the position to be able to pay off your student loans quickly. There are many jobs for software developers and engineers out there, as long as you take the required courses.

Highest-Paying Software Engineering Careers

All salary data has been gathered from the BLS’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Profiles page as of October 2025.⁴

Best Software Engineering Jobs in California Explained

The best jobs are software developers, computer network architects, quality assurance analysts, computer programmers, and web developers. An overview of these jobs will be given in the subsequent sections below.

Does It Matter What Software Engineering School in California I Go To?

Yes, it does matter what school you go to. Some schools do not offer software engineering as a major but as a part of the bigger computer science umbrella. While computer science is a platform on which you can further learn software engineering, you might consider choosing schools that allow learners to specialize in software engineering. 

In addition, note that your college choice doesn’t matter much to some employers. There’s a huge possibility for a company to hire you so long as you have the skills they seek. Nonetheless, attending a prestigious school like those in the Ivy League could give you an edge over other candidates. 

Additional Reading About Software Engineering

https://careerkarma.com/blog/software-engineering-degree/
https://careerkarma.com/blog/five-great-software-engineer-characteristics-codesmith-guide/
https://careerkarma.com/blog/software-engineer-career-path/

Best Software Engineering Schools in California FAQ

How long does it take to earn a degree in software engineering?

It will take you four to five years to earn a degree in software engineering. However, if you participate in a coding bootcamp or a certificate program, it will take six months to a year to become a software engineer. If you want to further your studies and pursue a software engineering master’s degree, that will take about a year or two.

What’s the difference between software engineering and computer engineering?

The difference between software engineering and computer engineering is that the former looks at software design, testing, implementation, and maintenance. On the other hand, computer engineering involves physical or hardware systems. They are also two different fields of study for undergraduate students.

Does software engineering require learning how to code?

Yes, software engineering requires learning how to code. A huge portion of the job involves human-computer interaction especially when designing, testing, and debugging software. It helps to be proficient in high-demand programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and Java. Most degree programs can help you build a general understanding of how these languages function.

Can I be a software engineer without a degree?

Yes, you can be a software engineer without a degree. However, you will have to take some courses, attend coding bootcamps, and practice by reading other engineers’ code. What ultimately matters to most employers is that they are recruiting someone with the relevant technical and soft skills needed to do the job.

Sources

¹https://www.statista.com/statistics/235327/graduate-student-aid-in-the-us/

²https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

³https://www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes151252.htm

⁴https://data.bls.gov/oesprofile/

⁵https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-6

⁶https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm#tab-6

⁷https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm#tab-6

⁸https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-6

⁹https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm#tab-6