Ranking
Best Systems Engineering Colleges in California 2026
California Institute of Technology leads this ROI ranking with a A+ value grade and a 19.99 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 7 colleges here by earnings against net price.
7 California colleges offering Systems Engineering, ranked by EduGradify value grade.
- Schools ranked
- 7
- Cheapest net price
- $8,615
- Top earnings 10y
- $128,566
- Public / Private
- 4 / 3
California Institute of Technology
A+- ROI score
- 19.99
- Net price
- $16,075
- Earnings 10y
- $128,566
- Acceptance
- 2.6%
University of California-San Diego
A+- ROI score
- 17.03
- Net price
- $12,470
- Earnings 10y
- $84,943
- Acceptance
- 26.7%
California State University-Dominguez Hills
A+- ROI score
- 16.59
- Net price
- $8,615
- Earnings 10y
- $57,162
- Acceptance
- 93.3%
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
A- ROI score
- 15.59
- Net price
- $11,531
- Earnings 10y
- $71,902
- Acceptance
- 75.2%
University of California-Santa Cruz
B- ROI score
- 9.56
- Net price
- $17,890
- Earnings 10y
- $68,396
- Acceptance
- 65.8%
University of Southern California
C- ROI score
- 7.06
- Net price
- $32,740
- Earnings 10y
- $92,498
- Acceptance
- 9.8%
Loyola Marymount University
D- ROI score
- 4.05
- Net price
- $48,381
- Earnings 10y
- $78,349
- Acceptance
- 45.1%
How we picked this list
This list starts with California schools with positive Systems Engineering program-share evidence, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 12.84 (4 public, 3 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A+.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many California colleges are in this list?
7 California colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.