Top 3 Database Administration Programs in California 2025
Stanford University
World-class computer science program with database systems specialization track. Direct recruiting from Oracle, Google, and Meta.
University of California, Berkeley
Top-ranked public CS program with renowned database research lab. Strong industry partnerships with Silicon Valley companies.
UCLA
Excellent computer science program with database concentration. Strong alumni network in California tech industry.
- 1.California has 25+ database administration and information systems programs with strong industry connections
- 2.Stanford and UC Berkeley lead with 93%+ graduation rates and direct Silicon Valley recruiting pipelines
- 3.Database administrators in California earn median $132,570 annually—17% above the national median
- 4.San Francisco Bay Area offers the highest DBA salaries nationally, with senior roles reaching $180,000+
- 5.Major employers include Oracle, Google, Meta, Salesforce, and numerous fintech companies
Database Administration Education in California
California leads the nation in database administration opportunities, home to major database companies like Oracle, Google, and numerous tech giants requiring skilled database professionals. The state offers diverse educational pathways from elite private universities to affordable public institutions.
For national program comparisons, see our database administration degree hub and best DBA programs ranking. Career-focused students should review our comprehensive analysis of database administrator career paths and tech career opportunities in California's thriving technology sector.
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS California May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS gr2023
Class size and accessibility
California-specific DBA salaries from BLS OEWS
Acceptance rate indicating program rigor
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford | Private | $61,731 | 94% | 5:1 | 96.8 |
| 2 | UC Berkeley | Berkeley | Public | $14,312 | 93% | 19:1 | 95.2 |
| 3 | UCLA | Los Angeles | Public | $13,804 | 91% | 18:1 | 93.7 |
| 4 | UC San Diego | San Diego | Public | $14,451 | 87% | 19:1 | 91.5 |
| 5 | UC Irvine | Irvine | Public | $13,927 | 86% | 19:1 | 89.8 |
| 6 | USC | Los Angeles | Private | $64,726 | 92% | 9:1 | 89.2 |
| 7 | UC Davis | Davis | Public | $14,597 | 86% | 20:1 | 88.1 |
| 8 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | Private | $58,110 | 90% | 11:1 | 87.4 |
| 9 | Cal Poly SLO | San Luis Obispo | Public | $9,942 | 83% | 19:1 | 85.9 |
| 10 | UC Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | $14,442 | 82% | 22:1 | 85.2 |
| 11 | San Jose State | San Jose | Public | $7,852 | 67% | 27:1 | 83.5 |
| 12 | UC Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | Public | $14,100 | 78% | 24:1 | 82.8 |
| 13 | San Diego State | San Diego | Public | $7,510 | 72% | 26:1 | 81.2 |
| 14 | Cal State Long Beach | Long Beach | Public | $6,798 | 70% | 25:1 | 79.8 |
| 15 | UC Riverside | Riverside | Public | $13,887 | 75% | 22:1 | 78.5 |
Stanford University
Stanford, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 94% graduation rate - highest among California programs
- • Average starting salary of $115,000 for database roles
- • 30% of graduates join top-tier tech companies
- • World-renowned faculty in database research
Program Strengths
- Database Systems Research Lab with cutting-edge projects
- Faculty includes database industry pioneers and thought leaders
- Direct recruiting partnerships with Oracle, Google, and Meta
- Strong emphasis on distributed systems and cloud databases
- Excellent student-faculty ratio of 5:1
Why Ranked #1
Stanford's Computer Science program offers world-class database systems education with direct access to Silicon Valley's leading database companies. The program combines theoretical foundations with practical applications.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 93% graduation rate with strong career placement
- • In-state tuition at $14,312 - exceptional value
- • Top-5 ranked computer science program nationally
- • Strong partnerships with Bay Area database companies
Program Strengths
- Renowned database research with industry applications
- Strong alumni network in California tech companies
- Access to Berkeley's AMPLab and RISE Lab research
- Comprehensive curriculum covering modern database technologies
- Excellent career services with tech industry focus
Why Ranked #2
UC Berkeley's EECS department provides exceptional value with top-tier database education at public university tuition rates. The program has strong industry connections and research opportunities.
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA • University
Program Highlights
- • 91% graduation rate with strong career outcomes
- • Growing connections to LA's expanding tech sector
- • Opportunities in entertainment industry database systems
- • Competitive in-state tuition at $13,804
Program Strengths
- Comprehensive database curriculum with practical focus
- Strong industry partnerships in Los Angeles tech sector
- Excellent research opportunities in data management
- Active alumni network in entertainment and tech industries
- Modern facilities with latest database technologies
Why Ranked #3
UCLA's Computer Science program provides excellent database administration education with strong connections to Southern California's growing tech sector and entertainment industry databases.
California University Systems for Database Administration
California's diverse higher education landscape provides multiple pathways to database administration careers through its major university systems.
The University of California (UC) system offers research-intensive programs at campuses like Berkeley, UCLA, San Diego, and Irvine. These programs emphasize theoretical foundations while maintaining strong industry connections. UC programs typically offer the best value for in-state students seeking top-tier database education.
California State University (CSU) campuses, including San Jose State, San Diego State, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, provide more applied, career-focused database programs. These institutions excel at preparing students for immediate entry into database administration roles with practical, hands-on curricula.
Private universities like Stanford, USC, and Santa Clara University offer smaller class sizes and extensive industry networking opportunities, though at significantly higher tuition costs. These programs often provide the strongest direct recruiting pipelines to major database companies.
Career Paths
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1241Design, implement, and maintain database systems for organizations. Ensure data security, performance optimization, and backup procedures.
Data Architect
SOC 15-1299Design enterprise data architecture and database strategies. Lead database system implementations and data governance initiatives.
Database Developer
SOC 15-1251Develop database applications and stored procedures. Work closely with software engineers to optimize database performance.
Cloud Database Engineer
SOC 15-1299Specialize in cloud-based database solutions like AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, or Azure Database. Manage migration and optimization projects.
Database Administration Programs in Other States
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $12,500 | $28,000 | $58,000 |
| Class Sizes | 20-25 students | 20-25 students | 12-18 students |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive | Extensive | Abundant |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Strong | Exceptional |
| Career Services | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Alumni Network | Regional | Regional | National |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to the highest-paying DBA jobs in the country
- Proximity to major database companies like Oracle and Google
- Strong alumni networks in Silicon Valley tech companies
- Diverse program options from elite private to affordable public universities
- Opportunities in emerging fields like cloud databases and big data
- You prefer lower cost of living with competitive salaries
- You want guaranteed in-state tuition residency
- You're interested in specialized database applications outside tech
- You prefer smaller, more intimate university environments
- You want to avoid California's highly competitive job market
Frequently Asked Questions About California DBA Programs
Related Database Administration Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official higher education statistics including graduation rates, enrollment, and tuition
State-specific salary and employment data for database administrators
Real-time salary data from database professionals
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.