Best Mechatronics AAS Programs in California, Ranked (2026)
California has seven dedicated mechatronics-titled community college AAS programs spread across the state's major manufacturing and tech corridors. CA Community College tuition is the lowest in the country (around $1,380/year at $46/unit), and California College Promise often covers full tuition for eligible recent high school graduates. Pick by regional employer access: SoCal aerospace and defense (Cypress, Chaffey, Santa Ana), Central Valley manufacturing (Clovis, San Joaquin Delta), Bay Area tech and biotech (Solano), or Sacramento-area mfg (Sierra).
edited by taylor rupe, b.s. computer science · software engineer
updated
CA programs ranked
7
ACCJC community colleges
CA technician median
$70K-$78K
SOC 17-3027, BLS OEWS
In-state tuition
$1,380
Per year, lowest in US
CA EAC mechatronics BS
3
CSUCI, CSUMB, CSU Chico
The 7 best mechatronics AAS programs in California, ranked
California has the deepest community college mechatronics AAS lineup in the country at 7 programs, all at around $1,380/year in-state tuition. Differentiators are regional employer access, lab equipment (Rockwell vs Siemens vs custom), and continuation pathways.
Clovis Community College's Mechatronics/Industrial Automation AS uses an Allen-Bradley/Rockwell-equipped 'mini-factory' lab. Six stacked credentials (job-skills, certificate, AS) let students earn-then-stack credentials throughout the pathway. Clovis cites graduates landing $20-32/hour starting wages with local Fresno-area manufacturers.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
74
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Cypress College's AS in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation prepares students for smart-operator and system-technician roles inside the North Orange County CCD. Sits in the engineering catalog (not industrial tech), so credits transfer cleanly into BS pathways at CSU campuses. California Community College residents pay around $1,380/year at $46/unit.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Sierra College's AS in Mechatronics emphasizes robotics and industrial automation through industrial-quality labs. Feeder program for the Sacramento-area manufacturing corridor in Placer County. AA/AS degree available plus shorter stackable certificates within the same pathway.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Chaffey College's Mechatronics program is one of three Industrial Electrical Technology (IET) tracks (Industrial Electrical, Electromechanical, Mechatronics) housed in the same department. Chaffey's InTech Center runs a registered apprenticeship pipeline funded by a $500K mechatronics grant, with regional manufacturing/logistics employer partnerships in the Inland Empire.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
San Joaquin Delta College's Automation Technology - Mechatronics AS chains AC/DC analysis to robotics/automation/mechatronics systems (ELECT 17 to ELECT 18), plus PLC and motors. Central Valley food-processing and logistics feeder. Stockton-area location with strong cost-of-living advantages.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Solano Community College's Mechatronics AS curriculum spans digital electronics, process control, PLC programming, SCADA, and alarm management. Markets explicit Industry 4.0 framing. Bay Area / Sacramento delta industrial corridor placement, including Travis AFB civilian work.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Santa Ana College's Engineering Mechatronics Technology AS is housed in the engineering department (not industrial tech), covering Arduino microcontrollers, sensors/actuators, PLC, rapid prototyping. Preps for mechanical or electro-mechanical technician roles across the Orange County aerospace/defense supplier corridor.
Accreditation (25%) ABET-EAC scores highest (opens FE-to-PE engineering licensure in all 50 states). ABET-ETAC next (technologist track, PE-eligible in ~30 states with extra requirements). Regional institutional accreditation gets baseline. Weighted 25%.
60
Leadership (15%) Program age and maturity, scored from accreditation history. Programs with 10+ years of continuous accreditation score higher than newer ones. Weighted 15%.
65
Pathways (15%) Apprenticeships, AAS-to-BS transfer paths, BS-to-MS laddering at the same school. Programs paired with DOL-registered apprenticeships score highest. Weighted 15%.
70
Delivery (15%) Format flexibility. Fully online and hybrid programs score higher than on-campus only because they expand access for working adults, parents, and rural students. Weighted 15%.
50
Employer (15%) Named industry partners, apprenticeship sponsors, and vendor CERT partnerships (Siemens SMSCP, FANUC CERT). More employer relationships = higher score. Weighted 15%.
100
Cost (10%) Lower in-state tuition scores higher. Community-college tuition scores best, expensive private universities worst. Per-tier cost brackets defined on the methodology page. Weighted 10%.
65
Reputation (5%) Institutional brand and recognition. Tier-1 engineering schools (RIT, Kettering, Michigan Tech, Penn State) score highest; named mechatronics programs get tier-2; the rest get baseline. Weighted 5%.
Why California is a strong mechatronics technician state
California is the largest US manufacturing state by employment (about 1.3 million workers) but its mechatronics employer mix differs from traditional manufacturing-heavy states like Michigan or Ohio. CA mechatronics work spans aerospace and defense (SpaceX Hawthorne, Boeing Long Beach, Northrop Grumman El Segundo, Lockheed Martin Palmdale, Raytheon El Segundo), automotive and EV (Tesla Fremont, Rivian R&D), semiconductor manufacturing (Intel, Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA across the Bay Area), biotech and medical device manufacturing (Genentech, Gilead, Edwards Lifesciences, Stryker), plus the deep Central Valley food processing and broader SoCal logistics automation base.
For mechatronics technicians, the SpaceX rocket production line in Hawthorne and the Tesla Fremont gigafactory are the headline employers, but the broader semiconductor and biotech equipment-maintenance market is larger by total employment.
California Community College tuition: the cheapest in the US
California has the lowest community college tuition in the country. CA residents pay $46 per unit, which works out to around $1,380 per year for a full-time student taking 30 units. The California College Promise Grant (formerly the BOG Fee Waiver) covers the per-unit enrollment fee for income-eligible students. The California College Promise covers up to two years of community college tuition free for many recent California high school graduates. With federal Pell Grants stacking on top (up to $7,395/year), most income-eligible CA residents pay zero tuition out of pocket.
This means a CA mechatronics AAS often costs only books and living expenses. Combined with the strong wages CA technicians can earn, this is one of the best ROI training paths in the country for California residents.
Top California employers hiring mechatronics technicians
SpaceX (Hawthorne)
SpaceX's rocket and spacecraft manufacturing operations in Hawthorne employ thousands of technicians across rocket production, satellite manufacturing, and ground support equipment. Heavy mechatronics work.
Tesla Fremont Factory + Lathrop Megapack
Tesla's historic Fremont auto plant (Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y) plus the Lathrop Megapack battery factory in the Central Valley. Heavy automation across body shop, paint, final assembly, plus battery cell and pack manufacturing.
Semiconductor manufacturers
Intel (Folsom, Santa Clara), Applied Materials (Santa Clara), Lam Research (Fremont), KLA (Milpitas), Western Digital. Equipment-maintenance technicians and process-equipment specialists are heavily mechatronics-engineering-intensive.
Aerospace and defense (SoCal)
Boeing Long Beach, Northrop Grumman El Segundo, Lockheed Martin Palmdale, Raytheon El Segundo, Aerojet Rocketdyne Canoga Park, plus dozens of smaller specialized aerospace contractors.
Biotech and medical device
Genentech (South San Francisco), Gilead (Foster City), Roche (Pleasanton), Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine), Stryker, Boston Scientific. Heavy mechatronics work in lab automation and medical device manufacturing.
Central Valley food processing
Foster Farms, Driscoll's, Hilmar Cheese, plus dozens of dairy and produce processing operations. Continuous-process mechatronics work.
Logistics automation (SoCal + Central Valley)
Amazon Robotics, plus broader SoCal logistics and warehouse automation across the Ports of LA and Long Beach corridor.
Mechatronics technician salary in California
Mechanical Engineering Technologists (SOC 17-3027) in CA: median around $70,000 to $78,000.
Mechanical Engineering Technicians (SOC 17-3024) in CA: median around $65,000 to $72,000.
Entry-level AAS graduate wages: $48,000 to $60,000 typical. SpaceX, Tesla, and semiconductor manufacturers pay at the upper end.
With 3-5 years experience plus Siemens SMSCP or FANUC robotics credential: $70,000 to $85,000 typical.
Cost of living varies dramatically: Bay Area runs 140-160 percent of US average, LA metro runs 130-140 percent, San Diego runs 130 percent, Central Valley and Inland Empire run 100-110 percent.
From AAS to bachelor's: California transfer pathways
CA has multiple mechatronics bachelor's continuation options:
CSU Channel Islands BS in Mechatronics Engineering (ABET-EAC): Camarillo. Engineer-track.
CSU Monterey Bay BS in Mechatronics Engineering (ABET-EAC): Seaside. Engineer-track.
CSU Chico BS in Mechatronic Engineering (ABET-EAC): Chico, North State. The third CA EAC mechatronics BS.
Cal Poly Pomona BS in Electromechanical Systems Engineering Technology (ABET-ETAC): technologist-track.
Cal Poly SLO BS in Mechanical Engineering with Mechatronics Concentration (ABET-EAC): EAC ME with mechatronics depth.
ECPI University online BS: ABET-ETAC online option for AAS graduates who want full online flexibility.
Best California cities for mechatronics technician careers
Bay Area (SF, San Jose, Fremont, East Bay)
Tesla Fremont, semiconductor manufacturers, biotech corridor. Highest engineering wages in CA but also highest cost of living.
LA / SoCal (Hawthorne, El Segundo, Long Beach, Palmdale)
SpaceX, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon. Densest aerospace and defense employer cluster in the US.
Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario)
Home to Chaffey College. Major logistics and warehouse automation corridor. Lower cost of living than coastal SoCal.
San Diego
Biotech, medical device, defense (NAVAIR). Plus growing semiconductor and EV.
Central Valley (Stockton, Modesto, Fresno)
Home to San Joaquin Delta College and Clovis CC. Tesla Lathrop, food processing, and broader Central Valley manufacturing.
Sacramento metro (Rocklin, Folsom)
Home to Sierra College. Intel Folsom plus growing tech and manufacturing.
How we ranked California mechatronics AAS programs
Every program scored on our 7-factor methodology: accreditation (25 percent), program leadership (15 percent), pathways and laddering (15 percent), delivery format (15 percent), employer signal (15 percent), cost and affordability (10 percent), reputation (5 percent). See the full methodology breakdown. All seven CA programs score very high on cost (lowest CC tuition in the country). Differentiators are employer signal, vendor partnerships, and continuation pathways.
California mechatronics AAS: frequently asked questions
Which California community college has the best mechatronics AAS?
Seven California community colleges run dedicated mechatronics-titled AAS programs in our directory: Cypress, Clovis, Sierra, Chaffey, San Joaquin Delta, Solano, and Santa Ana. Pick by geography and regional employer access. Chaffey runs a $500K-grant-funded mechatronics program with InTech Center apprenticeship. Clovis runs Allen-Bradley/Rockwell-equipped labs with six stacked credentials. Sierra College feeds the Sacramento-area corridor.
How affordable is a California community college mechatronics AAS?
California has the lowest community college tuition in the country. CA residents pay around $1,380 per year (at $46 per unit, 30 units per year). With Pell Grants and California College Promise Grant (BOG fee waiver) stacking on top, most income-eligible CA residents pay zero tuition out of pocket. Plus California offers two free years of community college tuition for many recent high school graduates through the California College Promise.
What does a mechatronics technician earn in California?
BLS state OEWS data for Mechanical Engineering Technologists (SOC 17-3027) in California shows median wages around $70,000 to $78,000, well above the national median due to cost of living and tech-sector demand. Entry-level AAS graduates start at $48,000 to $60,000 in CA manufacturing. SpaceX, Tesla, semiconductor manufacturers, and biotech pay at the upper end.
Can I transfer my CA mechatronics AAS to a CSU bachelor's?
Yes. California has three EAC-accredited mechatronics BS programs at CSU Channel Islands, CSU Monterey Bay, and CSU Chico, plus Cal Poly Pomona's ABET-ETAC accredited BS in Electromechanical Systems Engineering Technology and Cal Poly SLO's ME with Mechatronics Concentration. AAS credits articulate via CSU's Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) pathway, though engineering-track BS programs may require additional foundational coursework.
How does California's mechatronics employer mix differ from other states?
California's mechatronics employer mix is more tech-and-aerospace heavy than traditional manufacturing-heavy states. SpaceX Hawthorne, Tesla Fremont, Rivian Normal, Blue Origin El Segundo, plus semiconductor manufacturers (Intel, Lam Research, Applied Materials, KLA), biotech (Genentech, Gilead, Roche), and medical device (Edwards Lifesciences, Stryker, Boston Scientific) dominate hiring. Plus traditional manufacturing at SoCal aerospace contractors, defense (Northrop, Lockheed, Raytheon), and broader Central Valley food processing.
Sources
BLS OEWS for SOC 17-3024 and 17-3027 in California, May 2024 release.
