Computer Science majors aim to develop programs or systems to assist people in solving problems by interacting with computers. In 2020-2021, computer science was the 12th most popular major nationwide, with 59,565 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 5,843 over the prior year, a growth of 9.8%. Moreover, a computer science degree could eventually land you a high-paying job as a computer scientist, with a median annual salary ranging from $131,490 to $208,000. On average, a computer science major can earn 40% more than the average college graduate. 

If you are interested in taking up computer science, continue reading the article below to discover the best computer science schools in California.

What Are The Requirements For A Degree In Computer Science?

Applicants for computer science degrees must have completed high school or have their GED. Many universities or colleges may also have minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score requirements. Specific computer science positions may require a certain level of education or additional qualifications.

What Does A Computer Scientist Do?

Computer scientists frequently have a mathematical background and find problem-solving enjoyable. As a computer scientist, you will develop programs and computer systems to help humans with projects or complex computing problems. Successful computer scientists can work well in groups, have strong critical thinking and analytical skills, and are often innovative and creative.

The majority of computer scientists work full-time, with an average workweek of 40 hours. When conducting research, computer scientists, on the other hand, can set their own hours, which offers more flexibility and control. 

Best Computer Science Schools In California

Since picking the right college for higher education can be one of the most important decisions you can make, here is a list of the best computer science schools in California that may help you pick the right one. 

University of California, Berkeley

The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) ranked UC Berkeley’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences third in the world in computer science and engineering, while the graduate computer science program was ranked first in the country. 

UC Berkeley’s computer science programs are highly selective, but if you make the cut, you will have access to a world-renowned computer science department that offers quality education and state-of-the-art learning facilities. 

Stanford University

Stanford is a large private, not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford. It is considered the second-best university out of 2,241 colleges nationwide, which attests to the excellence this university offers. In fact, Stanford University is tied for the top spot in the rankings of graduate computer science programs.

They offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in computer science. In addition, their department is handled by experts and professionals in the field, guaranteeing a superb level of learning for its undergraduates.

California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology is a private university located in Pasadena, California. In terms of graduate computer science programs, it is ranked 11th in the U.S. Caltech’s computer science B.S. program provides eight different learning tracks, allowing you to specialize in a number of disciplines such as networks, robots, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). 

If you are a resident of Texas who wants to take up computer science, check out this Go Degree article on the best computer science schools in Texas.