Computer Engineering at California Baptist University

California Baptist University's computer engineering graduates start at $75,087—essentially matching the state median but trailing the national average by about $4,000. More concerning is the ranking: this program sits at just the 40th percentile among California's 31 computer engineering programs, meaning six in ten competing programs produce higher earnings. The gap with top California programs is substantial—Cal Poly SLU graduates earn nearly $37,000 more right out of the gate, and even mid-tier UC programs clear $90,000.

The financial picture does offer one bright spot: at $27,000, the debt burden is remarkably low, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more). That translates to a healthy 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, and steady 5% growth to $78,931 by year four shows graduates aren't hitting an immediate ceiling.

For families prioritizing affordability with reasonable outcomes, this works—graduates can manage their debt while earning solid middle-class incomes. But if your child has the credentials for Cal Poly or a UC campus, the earnings premium at those schools ($15,000-$35,000 more annually) compounds significantly over a career. The small sample size here adds uncertainty, but given CBU's access profile (41% Pell recipients), this program appears to serve students seeking engineering credentials without crushing debt, not those chasing top-tier tech salaries.