California’s best engineering colleges extend well beyond the most recognizable names. Schools like UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Clara University, UC Riverside, and UC Merced offer strong academics, research opportunities, and industry connections. And, in many cases, these colleges have a higher acceptance rate.
There are numerous engineering colleges in California for every student, not just the folks with perfect academic records and activities lists that would impress doctoral programs. Here are some of my favorites to consider:
Comparing California Engineering Schools Beyond the Top Names
| School | Sector | Acceptance Rate | Testing Policy | Engineering Programs | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | Public (CSU) | ~36% | Test-blind | Aerospace, Civil, Computer, Construction, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical | Industry ties in biotech, defense, hospitality |
| Santa Clara University | Private | ~47%* | Test-optional | Bioengineering, Civil-Environmental & Sustainable, CS&E, Electrical & Computer, Electrical, General, Mechanical, Web Design & Engineering | Jesuit university, Silicon Valley location |
| UC Davis | Public (UC) | ~44% | Test-blind | Aerospace, Biochemical, Biological Systems, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, CS&E, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science, Mechanical | Agricultural and environmental engineering strength |
| UC Irvine | Public (UC) | ~29% | Test-blind | Aerospace, Biomedical, Biomedical-Pre Med, Chemical, Civil, Computer, CS&E, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science, Mechanical | STEM excellence, computer science |
| UC Merced | Public (UC) | ~90% | Test-blind | Aerospace, Biochemical & Biomolecular, Bioengineering, Chemical, Civil, CS&E, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science, Mechanical | Newest UC campus, sustainability focus, top choice for first-gen students |
| UC Riverside | Public (UC) | ~86% | Test-blind | Bioengineering, Chemical, Computer, Environmental, Electrical, Materials Science, Mechanical, Robotics (new) | Social mobility leader, agricultural sciences |
| UC San Diego | Public (UC) | ~28% | Test-blind | Bioengineering, CS&E, Electrical & Computer, Mechanical & Aerospace, Nano, Structural | Top 10 public research university |
| UC Santa Barbara | Public (UC) | ~38% | Test-blind | Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical | Called a “Public Ivy,” coastal campus |
| UC Santa Cruz | Public (UC) | ~73% | Test-blind | Biomolecular, CS&E, Electrical & Computer | Near Silicon Valley, strong in astrophysics and genomics |
*Santa Clara’s rate has ranged 42-52% over the last three cycles. Verify against SCU’s current Common Data Set before publishing.
HelloCollege’s S.A.F.E. factor looks past acceptance rates to Social, Academic, Financial, and Employment fit, the four things that actually determine whether an engineering program sets you up for the career you want. Check out our College Fit Guide →
Engineering Colleges in California: School-by-School Breakdown
San Diego State University
Part of the Cal State system of schools, San Diego State is a test-blind school offering undergraduate programs in Aerospace, Civil, Computer, Construction, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering. SDSU is known for its strong industry ties in biotechnology, defense, and hospitality, along with high-impact research. According to the latest admissions data, 36% of first year applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara is a private university that’s considered to be the oldest operating institution of higher learning in California. Their latest acceptance rate for first year applicants has ranged 42-52% across recent cycles.
A test-optional school, it offers undergraduate programs in Bioengineering, Civil-Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and lastly, Web Design and Engineering.
UC Davis
Davis is a member of the University of California system and is known for its strength in agricultural and veterinary sciences. According to the latest admissions data, 44% of first year applicants were admitted.
It offers the following engineering programs for undergraduates: Aerospace, Biochemical, Biological Systems, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science & Engineering, and lastly, Mechanical Engineering.
UC Irvine
Another member of the UC system, Irvine is known for its excellence in STEM fields, such as computer science, engineering, and biology. According to the latest admissions data, 29% of first year applicants were admitted. They offer the following engineering programs for undergraduates: Aerospace, Biomedical, Biomedical-Pre Med, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science & Engineering, and lastly, Mechanical Engineering.
UC Merced
Merced is the newest member of the UC system, having opened for undergraduate students in 2005. As a test-blind school, their latest acceptance rate was around 90%. Merced is known for sustainability, high-quality engineering programs, and being a top choice for first-gen students.
Merced offers the following engineering programs for undergraduates: Aerospace, Biochemical & Biomolecular, Bio, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical, Environmental, Materials Science & Engineering, and lastly, Mechanical Engineering.
UC Riverside
Another test-blind member of the University of California educational system. Riverside is known as a social mobility leader and for their excellence in both agricultural sciences and engineering. Their latest acceptance rate for first year applicants was around 86%.
Riverside offers the following engineering programs for undergraduates: Bio, Chemical, Computer, Environmental, Electrical, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical, and lastly, a new program: Robotics Engineering.
UC San Diego
UC San Diego is a Top 10 public research university known for its biological sciences, computer science, and engineering programs. The latest admissions data shows first year applicants are accepted at a 28% rate to this test-blind institution. San Diego offers undergraduates the following Engineering options: Bio, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer, Mechanical & Aerospace, Nano, and lastly, Structural Engineering.
UC Santa Barbara
Often called a “Public Ivy”, UC Santa Barbara is renowned for its STEM programs, beautiful coastal location, and exciting student life. Their latest acceptance rate for first year applicants was 38%. They offer undergraduate engineering programs in the following areas: Chemical, Computer, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
UC Santa Cruz
Located near Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz is known for quality research in astronomy, astrophysics, marine biology, and genomics. UC Santa Cruz’s latest admissions data shows an acceptance rate of 73% for first-year applicants. They offer undergraduate Engineering programs in the following areas: Biomolecular, Computer Science & Engineering, and Electrical & Computer Engineering.
HelloCollege Counselor Note
Not sure yet whether you want to major in mechanical, electrical, civil, or chemical engineering? Going in as a general engineering major lets you study multiple disciplines, build a broader foundation, and make a more informed choice about your specialty. Several schools on this list, including UC Davis and UC Riverside, offer this path.
California Engineering Colleges FAQs
What are the top public universities for computer engineering in California?
UC San Diego stands out for the Jacobs School of Engineering, which houses the largest Computer Science and Engineering department in the UC system. UC Irvine is also a strong pick, known specifically for computer science excellence among UC campuses.
What are the best engineering colleges in California with strong industry connections?
Santa Clara University’s location in Silicon Valley has a direct pipelines to tech employers. UC San Diego’s Jacobs School has deep ties to Qualcomm, which was founded by a UCSD engineering professor.
Do California’s public engineering schools require SAT or ACT scores?
Every UC and San Diego State are test-blind, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all.
What are the best engineering colleges in California besides Berkeley, Stanford, and UCLA?
UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara all have well-regarded engineering programs with more moderate admission odds. UC Davis and Santa Clara University are strong options for a smaller-campus feel.
What’s the easiest UC to get into for engineering?
UC Merced (90%) and UC Riverside (86%) have the highest acceptance rates among UC engineering programs. Admission odds still depend on your specific major and application strength.
Is Santa Clara University good for engineering?
Santa Clara offers eight undergraduate engineering programs and has an obvious benefit in its Silicon Valley location, which supports strong internship opportunities and job placement rates.
Engineering is one of the most competitive majors to pursue in undergrad. And it’s easy to get caught up in chasing the most recognizable name on the list. But the school with the highest ranking isn’t necessarily the one that’s right for you.
If you’re not sure where to start or which engineering colleges belong on your list, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Book a consultation to speak with an admissions expert, and let’s figure out your best-fit engineering path together.
