School and Ranking Information
Of the ten schools in the San Diego area that offer degrees related to computer technology, the majority are private institutions, but at least four are public schools. Due to national rankings, number of programs and available facilities, the following school is considered one of the best options in the area for programs related to electronics and computer technology:
- Winner: The University of California - San Diego offers several options for students to earn an electronics or computer technology-related degree. Students at the university can earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Computer Engineering or a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering.
School Info Chart
| Category | University of California - San Diego |
|---|---|
| Rankings | #37 in National Universities (2020); #20 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (2020)* |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| School Type | 4-year; public |
| Tuition & Fees (2019-2020) | Undergrad: $14,415 (in-state); $44,169 (out-of-state)* |
| Computer Engineering Degrees Offered | Bachelor's; Master's; Doctorate |
| Computer Engineering Degrees Awarded (all levels) in 2018-2019 | 142** |
| Most Popular Computer Engineering Degree Level in 2018-2019 | Bachelor's (115 awarded)** |
| Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) for 2013 Entering Class | 87%** |
| Noteworthy | The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is accredited by ABET*** |
Sources: *U.S. News and World Report, **NCES College Navigator, ***University of California - San Diego
University of California - San Diego
- Students have the option to apply for a five-year joint bachelor's/master's program in computer engineering
- Students have access to the San Diego Supercomputer Center, as well as four separate computer clusters
- The computer engineering master's degree can be earned with either a thesis or an exam option
The University of California - San Diego (UCSD) sits on almost 2,000 acres in La Jolla, CA, which is about 14 miles northwest of San Diego. UCSD is home to more than 31,000 students and is one of ten schools within the University of California system. The school's Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) jointly offer the computer engineering programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program emphasizes fundamentals in math, physics, statistics and computer science. These courses help students move successfully into upper-level subjects such as algorithm theory and design, hardware, data structures, electronic circuits and linear systems.
The M.S. in Computer Engineering program features a curriculum balanced between computer hardware and software basics, with an emphasis on hardware and design. Students enrolled in this program study and research computer systems, algorithms, computer architecture and computer-aided design.
The computer engineering doctoral program emphasizes the same specific research areas as those listed for the M.S. in Computer Engineering. Students must work as a teaching assistant for at least one quarter and complete a research exam to graduate. Defense of a doctoral thesis is the final step in this track.
