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Why This Matters

  • DEMAND FOR COMPUTER SCIENTISTS TO GROW 21% BY 2031

    The job outlook is excellent for computer scientists due to the exponential growth of the technology sector, the increase of data collection in businesses, and the need for new ways to prevent cyber attacks.

  • EARN $130,000+ WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

    The average salary for computer research scientist jobs, which generally require a master’s degree, is $131,490.

  • CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF WORKPLACE SETTINGS

    Computer scientists are employed in many different sectors of the economy, including the federal government, colleges and universities, and private software companies.

Our Research

This list features some of the best computer science degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a reputable organizations that assesses computer science programs for educational excellence and a commitment to quality education.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of computer science degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 50 Computer Science Degree Programs

Best Computer Science Degree Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Cornell University
01
Most Customizable Program
Princeton University
01
Best in the West
Stanford University
01
Best Ivy League
Yale University
01
Best Student Supports
Georgia Institute of Technology
01
Best Public School
University of California Berkeley
01
Best Private School
Carnegie Mellon University
01
Best in the East
Columbia University
01
Best for Research
Duke University
01
Best Scholarships
University of California Los Angeles
01

Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals
01

University of California at San Diego
01

University of Illinois
01

University of Southern California
01

Northwestern University
01

University of Chicago
01

University of Texas at Austin
01

University of California at Davis
01

New York University
01

Purdue University
01

University of Maryland
01

Rice University
01

University of Wisconsin
01

University of California at Santa Barbara
01

University of Minnesota
01

Texas A&M University College of Engineering
01

Stony Brook University
01

North Carolina State University
01

Rutgers University
01

University of Utah
01

Indiana University at Bloomington
01

University of Colorado Boulder
01

Pennsylvania State University
01

University of Pittsburgh
01

Boston University
01

University of Nebraska at Lincoln
01

Texas State Technical College
01

Casper College
01

Sinclair Community College
01

Hinds Community College
01

Mesa Community College
01

Arizona State University
01

Lee College
01

Estrella Mountain Community College
01

University of California at Santa Cruz
01

Hillsborough Community College
01

Santa Fe Community College
01

Washtenaw Community College
01

GateWay Community College

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What You Should Know About This Degree

When considering a career in computer science, it’s important to explore the difference between information technology and computer science. Information technology graduates examine the needs of businesses and fulfill those requirements with solutions rooted in technology. Computer scientists design, develop, and improve the functionality of systems through the use of mathematics. While some IT skills are important to roles in computer science, IT programs don’t provide the same comprehensive computing education that comes with a computer science degree. Determine your interests and choose a program that fits your career goals.

Professional certification isn’t required for jobs in computer science, but because of the technical nature of computing, many employers look for additional skills and accreditations as a sign of commitment to continuing education.

There are many credentials for computer science professionals. Two helpful certifications for analytics and database technologies is the SAP Certified Technology Associate certification and the Microsoft SQL Server certification. For cloud computing, the CompTIA Essentials certifications cover the fundamental components of a company’s cloud solutions. All professional programs require the successful completion of an exam to receive certification.

With technology systems continuing to play an integral part in the daily infrastructure of almost every sector, job growth in computer science is much faster than other occupations. The demand for new programming languages that improve software efficiency and the increased need for data mining services mean that the United States will need 7,100 new computer and information research scientists by 2031.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching computer science programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Computer science programs accept students from programs in various disciplines, but you’re expected to have a physics, chemistry, and mathematics background. A high school diploma is required for most four-year degree programs. Check admission requirements to confirm that you meet the qualifications for the program you would like to attend.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most bachelor’s programs require four years of full-time study, culminating in a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Accelerated programs can take two years to complete. Students who wish to pursue advanced careers in computer science will want to obtain a master’s degree. These programs generally take two years and require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field.

Be aware of application deadlines and additional materials you must submit for each program. Information about required documents can often be found under the admission section of each school’s website.

Also, consider how you will finance your degree in computer science. Master’s programs often provide future career opportunities but come with a large financial investment. Research financial aid applications and available scholarships to help pay for your education.


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