Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

23 Best Universities in California for Robotics

We ranked the top 23 universities for Robotics in California based on strict academic metrics. Based on 3.19M scholarly articles and 161.6M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Robotics. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Robotics California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Robotics

#3 in United States #3 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Robotics

#5 in United States #5 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

3

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Robotics

#6 in United States #6 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

4

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Robotics

#12 in United States #12 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Robotics

#18 in United States #21 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Robotics

#33 in United States #39 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

7

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Robotics

#41 in United States #47 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

8

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Robotics

#54 in United States #64 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

9

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Robotics

#56 in United States #66 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

10

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Robotics

#61 in United States #74 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

11

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Robotics

#75 in United States #94 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

12

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Robotics

#87 in United States #110 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Robotics

#126 in United States #155 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Robotics

#163 in United States #194 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

15

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Robotics

#177 in United States #210 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

16

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Robotics

#216 in United States #251 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

17

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Robotics

#228 in United States #263 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

18

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Robotics

#160 in United States #191 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

19

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Robotics

#146 in United States #176 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

20

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Robotics

#233 in United States #269 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

21

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Robotics

#201 in United States #236 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

22

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Robotics

#225 in United States #260 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

23

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Robotics

#118 in United States #146 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded