2024 Best Colleges with Engineering Science Degrees in California

• Berkeley, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  4,426 reviews

Senior: It's a big school so it was a little difficult to transition into my freshman year, but once I looked at the different resources and organizations the university offered, I loved it! It's really important to get involved while you're there. I was involved in different pre-law organizations, ASUC, Cal Cheerleading, and others and it was a great experience. It's a little difficult getting classes especially in your first or second year, but once you declare your major it's a lot easier. My major advisor Lauri is the best. She's super helpful and has made my time at Berkeley a lot easier. I would like to see an easier way for students to enroll to classes they need easier. I would also like for the university to recognize cheer as a sport so cheerleaders can have access to academic accommodations, as they are at all the sports events and have hours of practice per week.... Read 4,426 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $17,652

• SAT range 1310-1530

• La Jolla, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  3,925 reviews

Sophomore: So far UCSD has been an amazing second home, with so many resources available to me. I have ventured out of my comfort zone by joining clubs and meeting new people! The professors are always striving to help us students learn better and willing to lend a helping hand whenever we need further explanation. I have grown comfortable with my new environment and the school itself, and cannot wait to spend the rest of my undergraduate years here at UCSD.... Read 3,925 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 34%

• Net price $15,632

• SAT range —

• San Luis Obispo, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  3,963 reviews

Alum: My experience at Cal Poly was overall amazing! My major was liberal studies, which was an amazing program. I feel more prepared and excited than ever to go into education, especially with the variety of classes Cal Poly has within each of their majors. Cal Poly also has a HUGE amount of clubs that were incredibly fun and engaging, especially in my first couple of years before the pandemic! Although I had an amazing time, there are absolutely some systemic issues in Cal Poly; racism and microaggressions, misogyny and homophobia (especially experienced by women in STEM majors), food quality, underfunding of campus mental health support, etc. Although in the past five years I have seen campus legislation attempt to address some of these problems, cal poly has a very far way to go to create fully accessible and safe learning environments for all of their students to thrive. However, all of this being said, Cal Poly is a spectacular school and I am proud to be a mustang!... Read 3,963 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 33%

• Net price $20,708

• SAT range 1240-1440

• Bakersfield, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  1,206 reviews

Freshman: My time at CSUB has yet to start as I am beginning the first semester this fall. However, as of late, all of the staff and student body has been welcoming to every student. I love that the campus is clean, big, and close to home. I love that the school provides students with opportunities to relax or further their studies in the library and several shops around the area. They encourage students who visit campus to take part in any of the many clubs that exist, and student exclusive activities, such as rock climbing, visiting the gym, or trying out for sports!... Read 1,206 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $7,368

• SAT range 790-1020

• Rohnert Park, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  1,535 reviews

Junior: This university is academic focused. One on one help with small class sizes. Dorm life is incredible! The campus is small and the community is very welcoming. Close to restaurants, gas stations, and entertainment venues. The beach is a 30 minute drive and to reach the snow is 20 minutes from campus. Lots of clubs to join and job opportunities with internship credit. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises around campus. The scenery is spectacular with views of the redwood trees and Sonoma Mountains in the East. Best sports teams in the CSU with high academic scores. I am definitely returning for Sonoma State’s graduate program for Masters and Ph.D!... Read 1,535 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $7,055

• SAT range 950-1150