Are costs comparable for you between the UC’s and CSULB ? Does your son have a campus/ location preference?
In general, UC’s rend to be more Research oriented and theory based vs Cal states that are hands on and geared towards preparing students to enter the work force after graduation.
I would start with comparing the CS program curriculums and looking for ABET accreditation.
ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards of the profession for which that program prepares graduates.
CSULB and UCD are ABET accredited and Santa Cruz is not. It is not a requirement for CS programs but for some employers it might give them a better level of confidence in the education received.
For Cybersecurity, I would see what electives are available in that specific field.
UCD:
Minimum UC GPA required: 3.0 - no exceptions
A C- or better in: (Starting in Fall 2023, a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher will be required in the following courses)
- MAT 21A
- MAT 21B
- ECS 20
- One of the following series options:
a) ECS 36A and ECS 36B - ECS 36 series is not open to non-majors in pass one; starting in Fall 2023 ECS 36C will also be required
b) ECS 32A, ECS 32B, ECS 32C*, and ECS 34*
https://cs.ucdavis.edu/schedules-classes
https://cs.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk8441/files/media/documents/CS%20Sample%20Schedule.xlsx
CSULB:
Freshmen admission to engineering majors is to a ‘pre-major’ status (i.e., Pre-ComputerScience). Continuation in the major will be subject to meeting specific lower division course and GPA requirements at CSULB that indicate the student’s ability to succeed and complete the major. To become fully admitted into the Computer Science major, all prospective students (i.e., pre-majors, undeclared, major changes) must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and complete the following lower-division courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to earning 60 units:
Core Lower-Division Major Requirements:
- MATH 122 - Calculus I (4 units)
- MATH 123 - Calculus II (4 units)
- PHYS 151 - Mechanics and Heat (4 units)
General Education Foundations Courses:
- Written and Oral Communication
CS Major Qualification courses
Students must have completed the following CS major qualification courses to qualify for the CS BS major:
Complete this courses
CSE 13S Computer Systems and C Programming 7
And these courses
Plus one of the following
Plus one of the following
Cumulative GPA
Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the CS major qualification courses attempted at UC Santa Cruz, with at most one unsuccessful attempt (grade C-, D+, D, D-, F, or NP) permitted in a CS major qualification course.
Ultimately it should come down where he would be happiest for the next 4 years.