California is home to some of the best private colleges for computer science. With this in mind, this post will focus on the best private colleges for computer science in California.
Many benefits come with private colleges. For example, private colleges or universities offer more hands-on instruction and individualized attention to their students.
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the drama that comes with attending a big institution because private colleges in California often have much smaller class sizes, fewer students, and a much more focused curriculum.
It is essential to choose right! Therefore, here are the best private colleges for computer science in California, plus additional details about what makes them one of the BEST institutions in California.
Top private colleges in California for computer science:
- Stanford University
- California Institute of Technology
- University of Southern California
- Harvey Mudd College
- Pomona College
- Claremont McKenna College
Honorable Mention
- Occidental College
- Loyola Marymount University
- Biola University
- Chapman University
- Dominican University of California
6 Private Colleges for Computer Science Majors in California
California is home to many prestigious public colleges and universities and several top-quality private colleges, many of which provide outstanding education in the field of computer science.
Here are the top six best private colleges for computer science in California, based on the quality of their programs and degrees, the school’s ABET accreditation, and their affordability compared to public schools of similar caliber.
| Private College in CA | Comp Science Rankings | Acceptance Rate | ABET Accreditation |
| Stanford University | 2 | 5% | YES |
| California Institute of Technology | 4 | 7% | YES |
| University of Southern California | 16 | 11% | YES |
| Harvey Mudd College | 18 | 13% | YES |
| Pomona College | 32 | 9% | Not Stated |
| Claremont McKenna College | 108 | 13% | Not Stated |
1) Stanford University
Stanford Institution is a prestigious private university in Stanford, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The school enrolled 5,752 undergraduate students on the fall of 2021 and used a semester-based calendar.
Stanford’s acceptance rate is 5%, making admission very difficult. However, the tuition and fees are $55,473 per year, and it ranks #2 best college for computer science in the country according to collegefactual.
Students at Stanford University have access to some of the biggest IT companies in the world because the school is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Students at Stanford’s computer science department get the chance to collaborate with some of the field’s top minds, making it one of the most competitive in the nation.
In addition to coursework, students can also get involved with research projects and internships, which can help them land a job after graduation.
Stanford alumni earn a starting income of $70,400, with graduation rates of 95%. In addition, the College of Engineering at Stanford is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
2) California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, often known as Caltech, was called Throop University when it opened in 1891. Caltech has always been considered one of the best private colleges for computer science in California.
Caltech offers three degrees in computer science: the BS, MS, and PhD. Unfortunately, it is a very selective college with an acceptance rate of just 8%.
There are undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science and a Master of Applied Science program. The computer science program is one of Caltech Division of Engineering and Applied Science majors.
California Institute of Technology’s computer science program ranked as the #4 best private college for computer science by Niche. Also, it ranked #17 best computer science program in National Universities by US News and World Record.
Students can access the world’s best research facilities, such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA’s Deep Space Network Antenna Array Operations Control Center, and more.
Its tuition and fees are $58,680. On the 1st of October 1963, Caltech got accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
3) University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is one of the best Private colleges for computer science in California. As a private institution founded in 1880, it has become one of the sought-after schools for a top-notch education.
USC’s computer science program is one of the oldest and most respected in the country. The school offers a unique blend of academic thoroughness and real-world experience that prepares students for success in the ever-changing field of computer science.
The University of Southern California ranks as the 16th best computer science college in the country. Its tuition and fees are $60,275, making it one of the most expensive institutions in California and America. The acceptance rate stands at 11%.
The university has a strong reputation in the computer science field and is well-respected by employers, which provides students with opportunities to intern and work with top companies.
In addition, graduates of the university’s computer science programs have gone on to have successful careers in various industries.
The Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET accredits the University of Southern California Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences degree.
4) Harvey Mudd College
Located in Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a private college specialising in science and engineering. It is one of the best private colleges for computer science in California. However, it is very selective, with an acceptance rate of only 13%.
For students interested in computer science, Harvey Mudd offers a robust program that includes coursework in both theory and practice. As a result, the school’s CS ranks as the #18 best college for computer science in the country.
In 1992, the computer science program at Harvey Mudd College graduated its inaugural class. Since then, the department has expanded to its current size of 18 tenure-track academics, numerous visiting or adjunct faculty, and five staff.
The department aims to equip students with a solid foundation in experimentation, theory, and design. As a result, graduates at Harvey Mudd are well-prepared for graduate study and employment in the field.
The Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET accredits Harvey Mudd College computer science.
5) Pomona College
Pomona College is a private college located in Claremont, California. It is make up the undergraduate colleges of The Claremont Colleges. Pomona College ranks among the best private colleges for computer science in California, with an emphasis on active and collaborative learning.
Pomona college is selective, with an acceptance rate of 13%. Pomona College’s CS ranks as #32 best private college for computer science in America by collegefactual.
The college’s student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, and 20 students on average in each class. Pomona College offers two distinct combination degrees: math and computer science or physics and computer science, and a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
Students at Pomona College can also study at various international colleges, such as Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island or KU Leuven University Centre in Belgium.
You will get analytical skills and the ability to critically evaluate potential solutions as a computer science major or minor. Additionally, you’ll learn about computer science fundamentals, such as systems, theory, and algorithms.
6) Claremont McKenna College
Located in Claremont, California, near Los Angeles, Claremont McKenna is a renowned private liberal arts college. One thousand two hundred forty undergraduate students enrolled in the last fall with a 13% acceptance rate. Claremont McKenna has a very competitive admission.
The college was founded in 1946 as a men’s college and became co-educational in 1976.
CMC is well-known for its outstanding economics, finance, international relations, and government programs. The computer science program has also grown in popularity among students recently.
No wonder Claremont McKenna is one of the best private colleges for computer science in California, ranking #108 among colleges with top computer science programs – according to collegevine.
At Claremont McKenna, robotics engineering has one of the highest concentrations of computer science majors, with five graduates last year. Ten full-time professors are working in this area at the moment.
Claremont McKenna College’s computer science program does not have ABET accreditation.
Frequently Asked Question on Best Private Colleges For Computer Science in California
Best Private Colleges for Computer Science
Do you want to study computer science in any of the nation’snation’s private colleges? Here are some of the best private colleges for computer science.
- Stanford University
- California Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
- Harvard University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Rice University
- University of Chicago
- Cornell University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- University of Southern California
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Johns Hopkins University
- Northwestern University
- Brown University
- Harvey Mudd College
- Dartmouth College
- Vanderbilt University
- Northeastern University
- University of Notre Dame
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Best Computer Science Colleges in California
California is home to some top-rated computer science colleges in the country. These schools have produced tech genius shaping our world today. Here are some of the best computer science schools in California.
- Stanford University
- University of California–Berkeley
- California Institute of Technology
- University of California–Los Angeles
- University of California–San Diego
- University of Southern California
- University of California–Irvine
- University of California–Santa Barbara
- Claremont McKenna University
- Chapman University
- Harvey Mudd College
- Pomona College
Best CSU For Computer Science
California has a public university system called the California State University (CSU). Four hundred eighty-five thousand five hundred fifty students are enrolled at the twenty-three campuses and eight off-campus locations, and about 55,909 faculty and staff members work there.
The California Master Plan for Higher Education established the California State University system in 1960. It is a direct offspring of the 1857-founded California State Normal Schools.
The CSU (California State University) is the largest producer of bachelor’s degrees nationwide, with over 110,000 graduates annually.
Here are some of the best CSUs for computer science:
- California State University, Los Angeles
- California State University, Sacramento
- California State University, Long Beach
- San Diego State University
- San Francisco State University
- California State University, Fresno
Conclusion – Best Private Colleges for Computer Science in California
Many private colleges in California offer computer science programs. While each school has its strengths and advantages, they all provide an excellent education in this growing field.
Therefore, if you are looking for top-quality schools with excellent computer science programs, our list of the best private colleges for computer science in California should be at the top of your list.
———————————————————-
Leave a Reply