Best Computer Science colleges in California 2024

Stanford University is another big name institution that provides students the opportunity to make an impact in the world. The School of Engineering is home to nine departments, more than 240 faculty, and more than 4,000 students. They believe that “engineering should solve human problems – not just technical ones.” Whether it’s climate change, overpopulation, or network security, Stanford takes on the toughest challenges of the 21st century and asks, “What can we do about it?” Stanford answers this question with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and a general multidisciplinary approach. The school also offers a Computer Forum, offering industries the option to learn about the professional abilities and interests of Stanford students through its active recruiting program. More than 60 companies located in Silicon Valley, the rest of the U.S., Europe, and Asia are members of this cooperative venture.

As one of the most distinguished institutions of higher learning, University of California Berkeley, or better known as Cal, sure has something to offer. An excellent faculty, educational opportunities, and close proximity to the California high-tech economy definitely have to be factored in. As the website states: “This close proximity to the latest and coolest technologies enlivens our curriculum, provides many research and summer job opportunities for our students, and makes this a very exciting place to study electrical engineering and computer sciences.” With two different undergraduate degrees from two different colleges (the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences offered by the College of Engineering and the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the College of Letters & Science) UC Berkeley stands out among other institutions. And if you want to further your education even more, EECS’s graduate programs are also among the best in the nation.

USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering boasts current enrollment of 2,700 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students. The University of Southern California takes pride in being “innovative, elite and internationally recognized for creating new models of education, research, and commercialization that are firmly rooted in real world needs.” Whether you're a first year, senior, or graduate student - it's never too late to start! A variety of courses, designed to introduce you to computer science and programming, make it obvious that we live in an exciting time to study this major. Choose from four bachelor’s degree programs or a variety of master’s degree programs to support students in exploring all the challenges this disciplines has to offer. Stay up to date! By subscribing to the CS Job Announcements mailing list, you will receive information regarding on-campus and off-campus jobs and internships in your field.

“Our majors should possess strong oral and written communication skills, leadership skills, and an understanding of the impact of their work on society.” This is #3 of eleven goals that the department of computer science states on their website to ensure a learning environment that is “welcoming and supporting” (#9). A “reputation for excellence within and beyond the college” (#10) and “effective teachers and mentors” (#6) are among the other desired achievements. Faculty and students try to accomplish these through three undergraduate major programs in cooperation with the Departments of Biology and Mathematics: the computer science major, the joint major in computer science and mathematics, and the mathematical and computational biology major. In addition, students can participate in the innovative Clinic Program, which provides students with a capstone experience, taking an idea from "concept-to-product". Fancy a semester abroad? The CS department encourages all students to consider a study abroad experience to better understand other cultures, develop language skills, and study in a new environment. Off you go!