Computer Engineering · California

Computer Engineering colleges in California

CampusPin lists 267 U.S. colleges in California that offer Computer Engineering programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Computer Engineering blends electrical engineering and computer science to design the hardware and embedded systems that run modern devices, suiting students who enjoy both circuits and code.

Schools in California that offer Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 267 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

267

Public / private

24 / 26

Universities / 2-year

44 / 6

Cities represented

39

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$57,946

Median in-state tuition

$10,217

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

30% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Computer Engineering program

  • Digital logic design and Boolean algebra
  • Circuit analysis and electronics fundamentals
  • Computer architecture and microprocessor design
  • Embedded systems and microcontroller programming
  • Hardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog) and FPGA design
  • Signals, systems, and the C/assembly programming used for firmware
  • Operating systems, computer networks, and data structures
  • Senior capstone hardware/software design project

Where a Computer Engineering degree can lead

  • Computer hardware engineers
  • Embedded Systems Engineer
  • Firmware Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • FPGA / Hardware Design Engineer
  • Software Engineer

Typical pay: BLS, 2024 computer hardware engineers median $155,020

A Computer Engineering major sits at the boundary of electrical engineering and computer science, focusing on the design of computing hardware and the low-level software that drives it. A typical bachelor's degree builds on calculus, differential equations, and physics, then moves into digital logic design, circuit analysis, microprocessors and computer architecture, embedded systems, signals, and operating systems. Students work in labs with FPGAs, microcontrollers, and hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, and most programs finish with a senior capstone design project.

Graduates design and test processors, memory, circuit boards, and embedded controllers, and write the firmware and device drivers that let hardware and software work together. They work across semiconductors, consumer electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and embedded products. The closely related occupation of computer hardware engineers had a median wage of $155,020 per year in 2024, with projected employment growth of 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Computer engineering programs are credit-heavy and are commonly accredited by ABET. The coursework overlaps substantially with both electrical engineering and computer science, so graduates can pursue hardware, embedded, or software-leaning roles depending on their electives and concentration.

Computer Engineering in other states

Other majors in California

Find more Computer Engineering schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 267+ Computer Engineering programs in California by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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