Top 3 Database Administration Programs in California 2025
University of California-Riverside
64 Database Administration graduates annually, 83% graduation rate
California Institute of Technology
4 Database Administration graduates annually, 88% graduation rate
San Jose State University
7 Database Administration graduates annually, 100% graduation rate
- 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.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA | Public | $11,834 | 83% | — | 76.3 |
| 2 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | Private | $60,816 | 88% | — | 68.5 |
| 3 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 58.1 |
| 4 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Private | $57,670 | — | — | 55.9 |
| 5 | DeVry University-California | Ontario, CA | For-Profit | $14,392 | 25% | — | 54.4 |
| 6 | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | Private | $49,880 | — | — | 45.8 |
Top 5 Database Administration Programs in California: Side-by-Side
| School | UC Berkeley | USC | Caltech | U of California-Riverside | U of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,834 | $66,640 | $60,816 | $11,834 | $57,670 |
| Graduation Rate | 96% | 92% | 88% | 83% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 599 | 83 | 4 | 64 | 85 |
| Acceptance Rate | 12% | 10% | 3% | 63% | 51% |
| Type | Public | Private | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 100.0/100 | 77.8/100 | 64.3/100 | 62.7/100 | 58.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in California
California offers 6 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of California-Riverside, California Institute of Technology, San Jose State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $102,039 in the California market.
A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in California
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of California-Riverside | $11,834 | 83% | 64 | 62.7 |
| #2 Caltech | $60,816 | 88% | 4 | 64.3 |
| #3 San Jose State | $5,742 | 100% | 7 | 52.7 |
Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in California
For graduate study, California offers 7 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include University of California-Berkeley, University of Southern California, University of San Francisco. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in California reaching $189,501 or more.
Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in California
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 UC Berkeley | $11,834 | 96% | 599 | 100.0 |
| #2 USC | $66,640 | 92% | 83 | 77.8 |
| #3 U of San Francisco | $57,670 | N/A% | 85 | 58.3 |
Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in California
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in California are at San Jose State University ($5,742/year), Northcentral University ($11,064/year), University of California-Berkeley ($11,834/year). These programs offer strong ROI given California's competitive tech salaries.
At San Jose State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $22,968 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $102,039, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.3 years.
Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in California (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 San Jose State | $5,742 | $22,968 | 0.3 years | Public |
| #2 Northcentral | $11,064 | $44,256 | 0.7 years | Private |
| #3 UC Berkeley | $11,834 | $47,336 | 0.7 years | Public |
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 96% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 599 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 12%
- • Ranking Score: 100.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 96% graduation rate
- 599 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 100.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (96%), program size (599 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (12% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $66,640 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 83 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 10%
- • Ranking Score: 77.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 83 database administration graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 77.8 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (83 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (10% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $60,816 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 88% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 4 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 3%
- • Ranking Score: 64.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 88% graduation rate
- 4 database administration graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 64.3 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (88%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (3% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,834 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 83% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 64 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 63%
- • Ranking Score: 62.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 83% graduation rate
- 64 database administration graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 62.7 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (83%), program size (64 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (63% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
UCR's Business Administration program offers seven specialized concentrations with 77 upper-division units of coursework. Graduates achieve strong economic outcomes, with UCR alumni earning above California's median household income by their early 30s and a quarter earning over $200,000 by mid-career.
Program Details
- Credits: 77 upper-division units
Available Specializations / Concentrations
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $57,670 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Database Administration Graduates: 85 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 51%
- • Ranking Score: 58.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 85 database administration graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 58.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (85 graduates), state salary outcomes ($145,770), and selectivity (51% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
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.
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.
Other Tech Degree Programs in California
Database Administration Programs in Other States
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
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Database Administration degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific database administration salaries from BLS OES 2024
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.