SPECIALIZATIONS
Technological skills aren’t just useful for the individual learning them. Facebook, YouTube, and other major websites are free, but we all benefit from them.
This means we ought to encourage students to go into fields like Computer Science that can make people’s lives better. Because of this, Congress passed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act, allowing for 43.3 billion dollars in spending in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology research and education programs.
If you want to earn your bachelor’s degree online, take a look at our ranking of the Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degrees. But if you’re interested in a traditional, on-campus program, read on—you’re in the right place.
Computer Scientists utilize many tools building the next great app, or working on the cutting edge of AI research. Those tools include mathematics, physical science, and business acumen. Programmers must be able to think critically and founders must understand the social and even political aspect of their work.
They must be able to explain their ideas both to technical peers and non-technical colleagues. Additionally, many of today’s big problems are technical, so they must be willing to be leaders in solving today’s big problems.
Computer science runs the world. It is involved with the latest smartphone and the applications it runs. A good Computer science education will give you the fundamentals of the whole system. This whole picture knowledge is something you can’t get with a highly specialized boot-camp. Further, a university degree in Computer Science will give you a more well-rounded education in other subjects through general requirements. These skills will put you ahead of people who try to self-learn or go to a boot camp. Surveys show that employers prefer to hire college educated Computer Science students over any other type of developer training.
Further, a university degree in Computer Science will give you a more well-rounded education in other subjects through general requirements. These skills will put you ahead of people who try to self-learn or go to a boot camp. Surveys show that employers prefer to hire college educated Computer Science students over any other type of developer training.
Programmers and Computer Scientists have their pay vary on the basis of specialization, education, and where they live. Overall, Computer Science is always near the top of the list of majors with the highest starting salary. The starting salaries are often between $55,000 to $70,000. Entry level salaries at the Big 4 (Facebook, Google, Amazon and Microsoft) are higher given these firms’ prestige and the important problems they work on.
Programming involves the creative application of tools and algorithms to solve challenges that confront people today. These problems are in part technical in nature, but they are also historical, cultural, economic, and even ethical.
Therefore, a solid education in Computer Science isn’t only involved in the mastery of coding or data structures. It is also necessary to have a broad academic formation with which to understand and tackle many of the problems facing people today.
What Are the Best Computer Science Degree Programs?
To help incoming Computer Science students explore all their various options, we have produced the following list of the top fifty undergraduate Computer Science programs. Because a degree is an investment, we have considered the cost of the degree, and the salary prospects of the top fifty schools.
By aggregating data from Payscale, U.S. News and World Report, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as information from the schools themselves, we’ve created a list of fifty schools that will give a prospective Computer Science student a good start.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Overview
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their Computer Science program, called Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) is among the most popular undergraduate programs at the university. Their faculty are famous in the world of Computer Science for their academic rigor and the difficulty of the program. When combined with the prestige of the university allows it to be ranked near the top in the entire world.
The EECS department allows for four majors: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering and Computer Science, and Molecular Biology and Computer Science. This breadth of options allows students to study the complexities and depth of software, or combine the Computer Science specialization with coursework focusing in other disciplines. This allows students to gain a wide amount of subject matter expertise within a single department and within a single overall curriculum.
The salaries for Computer Science majors at MIT are impressive, with early career salaries starting at $95,000.
2. Harvard University
Overview
Harvard University is an Ivy League University located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was established in 1636.The school of engineering is called the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and it offers the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. This program teaches students the fundamentals of computer technology, algorithms, data structures, and other topics essential to the Computer Science discipline.
Program Features
As an Ivy League research university, students have the option of participating on numerous research opportunities from software, networks, algorithms, to graphics. The Computer Science research opportunities can also be applied to various other disciplines such as statistics, linguistics, economics, and psychology. Harvard is a good option for students who want to marry their love of technology with a love of another ancillary field of study.
If you have completed several A.P. tests, as is common for Harvard undergraduates, you may be able to do a joint Bachelors/Masters in 4 or 5 years. As you can see, the Harvard Computer Science Bachelors of Arts is very flexible in both curriculum, and research opportunities, allowing it to stand out as a top Computer Science program.
3. Stanford University
Overview
Stanford University is a major private research university located in the Bay Area near Palo Alto, between San Jose and San Francisco. Its proximity to the Bay Area and its status as a top research university makes the Computer Science program highly sought after by both students and recruiters at nearby technology firms. The Computer Science department was established in 1965.
Program Features
Stanford’s Computer Science program is very flexible, allowing students to study programming languages, databases, robotics, artificial intelligence, and big data. The Computer Science program also stands out for its ability to give students unique research, internship, and teaching opportunities. This prepares students for both the job market and for academia. It also provides a base of support so students are prepared to become PhD’s themselves if that is what they want through the research programs.
You should consider Stanford if they want a world class education where the power to shape your Computer Science education is in your hands. Between the multiple opportunities Stanford affords their Computer Science students, whether you want to work as a developer, data scientist, or as an academic computer scientist, Stanford has you covered.
4. Princeton University
Overview
Princeton University is an Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Established in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Princeton has been a leader in education and research for centuries. Princeton separated its Computer Science department from the Electrical Engineering department in 1985, around the same time Super Mario was taking over TVs and Steve Jobs had split with Apple to form NeXT.
Program Features
Princeton ranks high on this list of Computer Science degrees for a few reasons. As a liberal arts school, Princeton has a lot of outlets for students wanting to do interdisciplinary studies in the social sciences and even in the digital humanities. The is a wonderful outlet for the musically and technologically inclined, but there are options for Computer Science students to make their mark in algorithms, graphics, data structures, biology, economics, statistics, and many more. Because Princeton requires all students to do a final research project, Computer Science student develop familiarity and comfort with long research papers that could help them in their careers and if they decide to go into academia.
Students should consider Princeton if they want an engaging education on programming and Computer Science topics. The quality of the teaching is such that Computer Science has been the most transferred into major for the past few years and the introductory Computer Science class is taken by almost 70% of the student body. This quality education will prepare students for the job market.
5. Harvey Mudd College
Overview
Harvey Mudd College is among the most elite private liberal arts colleges in the United States. What distinguishes Harvey Mudd is that its mission is to train the next generation of engineers, scientists, mathematicians and yes, computer scientists. Harvey Mudd established its Computer Science department in 1992 and in more recent years has gained acclaim for establishing gender parity in the department.
Program Features
What distinguishes Harvey Mudd from competing colleges is its high starting salary of $75,000 and its commitment to the humanities and the sciences in forging a truly well rounded education. Harvey Mudd is also a member of the Claremont Consortium. This group of liberal arts universities supports and shares resources between each other allowing a Harvey Mudd student to access resources from a university like Claremont McKenna College. While most colleges’ core curriculum is designed to merely sample the arts and humanities, Harvey Mudd blends scientific disciplines with intensive courses in writing and critical investigation giving all students a solid foundation in writing and thinking and learning to apply their skills across all sorts of disciplines. As an elite liberal arts school, Harvey Mudd focuses on collaboration above competition and with a small student to teacher ratio of 9 to 1, you can gain a closer more personal connection with your professor than you can in other schools.
If you want to be challenged to be the best Computer Science student you can be with a high salary at the end and gaining a well education along the way, you should consider Harvey Mudd. You will gain expertise in technology but also know about the people you will impact and serve in your work.
6. University of Chicago
Overview
University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. It commonly ranks within the top 10 universities for multiple programs and Computer Science is no different.
Program Features
The university offers many Computer Science degrees. It offers a B.A., a B.S. as well as joint B.A./M.S. and B.S./M.S. degrees. Chicago’s Bachelor in Computer Science is famous for its theoretical bent hammering the fundamentals and theory behind Computer Science into the minds of the students.
There are five CS groups one could belong to within the department: Machine Learning, the Systems Group, Programming Languages, Theoretical Computer Science, and the Center for Unstoppable Computing. Undergraduates can join any of these groups and work on research projects with faculty. The department has over 11 collaborative research projects currently operating.
7. University of California at Berkeley
Overview
University of California at Berkeley was founded in 1868, making it the oldest institution in the California public university school system. Its location in the Bay Area makes Berkeley’s undergraduate degree in Computer Science highly sought after and it produced famous individuals like Steve Wozniak who went on to co-found Apple.
Program Features
The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a lot to their undergraduate students. A student can gain a Bachelors of Computer Science or add expertise in electrical engineering or computer engineering. Additionally, Berkeley also offers a 5-year option with a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program.
Berkeley is the perfect program for students interested in programming, big data, animation, computing research, and web development. Students have a high early career salary at $80,000 preparing them to enter at close to the top of their field.
8. University of Pennsylvania
Overview
The University of Pennsylvania was established in 1740 as a private Ivy League research university. Called UPenn for short, it is near the top in many fields and Computer Science is no different. Their Department of Computer and Information Sciences prepares the future of doers and thinkers in all computer related fields.
Program Features
The Computer Science degree is offered as a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or as a Bachelor of Applied Science. Either way the Computer Science degree qualifies as a BS. Both degrees have a committed focus on both major components of the computing systems, software and hardware. Their simulation section, called the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation, gives students access to acclaimed and renowned scholars in their fields and access to research assistantship positions. Students can gain additional experience presenting presentations at department events.
The early salary for UPenn Computer Science graduates can be expected to be in the $60,000 range. If you want a degree in Computer Science from a nationally recognized Ivy League university with top notch faculty and researching options, it is hard to go wrong with UPenn.
9. Duke University
Overview
Duke University is an elite private research university established in 1838 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke’s Computer Science program is in the top rank in its field for general and Computer Science specific prestige as well as the theory focused coursework, the opportunities for research and the department’s ties to industry.
Program Features
The Computer Science department offers a Bachelor’s of Science degree as well as a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Computer Science. Additionally, there is an option to double major with the Electrical and Computer Engineering degrees which prepare students for computational employment across many industries. Students can take advantage of events held by Apple and AT&T, Hackathons run by Microsoft, and other events planned by industry leaders in order to select and recruit top talent. Student researchers participate in a program called CSURF where an undergraduate is paired with a faculty member for two semesters and a summer internship on a research project.
Between in depth and theory focused academic courses, the practicality of events hosted by industry leaders, and research opportunities, an undergraduate Computer Science student at Duke University is given every opportunity to thrive. A student who wants the whole package of opportunities in their education should definitely consider Duke.
10. Dartmouth College
Overview
Dartmouth College is a private Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire. It was established in 1769. Their Department of Computer Science prepares future developers, database administrators and other important workers in the technology field for thriving careers.
Program Features
Their Computer Science major, like many in the Ivy League, allows for students to graduate having done important research in the field working with faculty. Experienced students can help their younger or less experienced fellow students as teaching assistants. Students also have the opportunity to do original thesis work. Particularly ambitious students can graduate with honors or attempt to tackle their 5 year B.A./M.S. in Computer Science
A student who wants a top Computer Science program that allows students to be challenged to the edge of their ability and talent need look no further than Dartmouth College. It will prepare for theoretical work and applications in the work place. The combined B.A./M.S. program is a great option if you are considering graduate school as well.
11. Yale University
Overview
Yale University is an Ivy League private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. It was founded in 1701. Their Computer Science program offers a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Computer Science as well as a Bachelor’s of Science. Enterprising students can also attempt a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s in Computer Science in a 5-year program. The program allows for multiple options for students who want to tackle different goals.
Program Features
Yale’s Computer Science degree stresses mathematics, data structures and algorithms in its requirements. As an Ivy League University, Yale students are heavily recruited by Wall Street and technology firms from the Computer Science department.
An undergraduate degree from Yale University sends a strong signal to both academia and to industry that you are serious and well trained for the jobs of the future. Not only will you have the work skills to thrive in a changing economy, you will have gained valuable research experience at one of America’s top universities.
12. Brown University
Overview
Brown University is a private research university in Providence, Rhode Island and is part of the so-called “Ivy League” schools. It was founded in 1764. Like many Computer Science departments in the top tier of universities, Brown puts a focus on giving students valuable experience in research assistants and teaching assistants to prepare them for further study or the working world.
Program Features
The undergraduate program has many options for the enterprising student. The Brown Computer Science program is very flexible allowing students to do other study in topics like economics or mathematics. Brown also offers a 5 year B.S./M.S. option for students who are considering graduate studies.
If you are a motivated student who wants experience breaking down complex topics to the top minds while also having valuable opportunities to do research Brown might be the perfect option. Brown is a top university and many of their Computer Science undergraduates go on to do great things.
13. Columbia University
Overview
Columbia University was established as a private Ivy League research university in 1810. The school offers multiple departments in which to gain a Computer Science education. Students can get a Computer Science degree in the School of Applied Science, Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College.
Program Features
These departments offer various ways to make the most of your Computer Science education. The Engineering School offers a BS in Computer Science, Barnard offers a BA in Computer Science, and in the School of General Studies as well as in Columbia College you have the opportunity to get a degree in Computer Science as well as a degree in either mathematics or statistics.
Since it is located in New York City, which is the financial capital of the world as well as a major tech city in the United States, a Computer Science degree from Columbia makes a student highly sought after in several remunerative and rewarding fields so the student has multiple options from which to choose how to craft their career.
14. Rice University
Overview
Rice University is a private research university established in 1912 and is located in Houston, Texas. The Computer Science Department is housed in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and the program offers a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Art degree in Computer Science.
Program Features
Rice is known for its supportive faculty and its engaging club life that give a sense of community to all majors and that includes the Computer Science department. There are weekly lunch and learn sessions where students can learn from alumni, faculty, and industry experts. There are also research and teaching assistant opportunities for upper undergraduate students. There is both a general Computer Science club for all those who major in Computer Science as well as the CSters club that supports women in tech at Rice. Students are also allowed to take up leadership roles in the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership.
Graduates of Rice are given every opportunity to succeed through the above lunch and learns and club activities. If you want to change the world you need a community of people who have your back and at Rice that is exactly what you will get.
15 Vanderbilt University
Overview
Vanderbilt University is a private research university founded in 1873 and located in Nashville, Tennessee. Their undergraduate Computer Science degree is housed in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the School of Engineering. The school is known around the world for research and education. This equips students for future leadership in the technology world.
Program Features
Vanderbilt’s Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science prepares students for both careers in industry as well as fruitful academic careers as computer scientists themselves. The program marries both the theoretical and the practical so students are able to choose where their skills and passion take them. Students are prepared for the outside world by team-based project style learning, assisting their student body in gaining summer internship experience, as well as allowing for a bevy of professional organizations to help students gain relationships with the outside industry and academia. The program is accredited through the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
At Vanderbilt you can combine your Computer Science education with a diversity of options. They offer a pre-med option for Computer Science students, a five-year B.A./M.S. option in Computer Science, as well as a five year BS in Computer Science with an MS in Finance.
16 California Institute of Technology
Overview
California Institute of Technology, or CalTech for short, is a prestigious university in Pasadena California. Their Computer Science program is known as one of the best in the entire world. It is housed in the Computing and Mathematical Sciences Department (CMS). There are two degree options for the Computer Science student: an applied + computational mathematics degree which is a math and Computer Science dual degree or you can take a regular degree in Computer Science.
Program Features
The Computer Science degree gives students a world class foundation in the theoretical and applied skills needed in today’s technological workforce. It also gives them the option to take electives like graphics, databases, networking and robotics.
This degree will well prepare you to use computational thinking in order to make new insights both in the industry as well as preparing you for a fruitful career in academia if that is what you choose. CalTech students are heavily recruited by top tech firms like Google and Amazon as well as financial firms like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. Their top-tier faculty and students will push you to the edge of your ability and allow you to go further than you thought possible.
17 Northwestern University
Overview
Northwestern is a private research university founded in 1851 in Evanston, Illinois. The Computer Science program is located in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within the McCormick School of Engineering. Northwestern is known for their faculty’s combination of skills in Computer Science and statistics leading to insights in computer graphics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics and systems engineering. This makes Northwestern a big data hub worthy of a student’s attention if that is what they want to specialize in.
Program Features
Northwestern also offers a Bachelors of Arts program in Computer Science at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences in addition to the engineering school’s Bachelors of Science. Both programs have specialties in AI, security, theory, and machine learning
Computer Science students and graduates from Northwestern are highly recruited from multiple industries given the school’s influence within the world of machine learning, AI and Data Science. The undergraduate program helps students pursue their career goals in crafting a curriculum that makes sense for them.
18 Cornell University
Overview
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research institution founded in 1865 and is located in Ithaca, New York. They have a top tier Computer Science program and its faculty have won numerous awards. The faculty has been granted two Turing Awards and the MacArthur genius grant as well as others.
Program Features
Both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering offer the Computer Science degree. The Arts and Sciences College offers a B.A. degree in CS, while the Engineering College offers a B.S. degree. The university offers a solid foundation in Computer Science while allow students to deepen their abilities in other fields.
The students are offered many clubs and organizations to belong so that they can advance their skills and relationship in the Computer Science world. The Association of Computer Science Undergraduates, Women in Computing at Cornell, The Cornell Student Section of the Society of Women Engineers, and the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers are examples of clubs that students can join. A student who wants a rigorous degree with opportunities to excel in student organizations can’t go wrong with Cornell University.
19 Johns Hopkins University
Overview
Johns Hopkins University is a private research university founded in 1876 and located in Baltimore Maryland. The Computer Science program is housed within the Whiting School of Engineering. It is primarily known for its specialty in robotics and in natural language processing. What distinguishes Johns Hopkins from other universities is that students are exposed to exciting research from an early period.
Program Features
The school offers both a BA and a BS degree in Computer Science. The BA is designed for the multidisciplinary student who wants to marry their skill and interest in computing with another discipline by taking more electives in courses like mathematics or in economics. The BS degree is a more traditional engineering degree. There is also a 4+1 program so students can gain a master’s degree and a Bachelors Degree in 5 years.
What makes Johns Hopkins Valuable is the stress on collaboration and research. Students are highly sought after and their career center helps students attain internships and jobs. Johns Hopkins students are particularly courted by Microsoft and Google though other technology firms also compete for their interest.
20 Georgia Institute of Technology
Overview
Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885 and is located in Atlanta Georgia. It is commonly called Georgia Tech. Their Computer Science program is widely known and gives students a practical and theoretical foundation in Computer Science preparing them for the real world.
Program Features
The school offers both a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science as well as a Bachelors of Science in computational media. The Computer Science degree is a traditional Computer Science program that will prepare students with skills in data structures, databases, algorithms, computational mathematics and more skills that are highly valued in the work force.
The program also includes valuable research opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Computing Program. The program puts faculty and students together to gain effective expertise in research skills. There are also multiple job fairs and lunch and learns with people in the computing industry.
21 University of Notre Dame
Overview
The University of Notre Dame is a Catholic university founded in 1842 and located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The Computer Science department is housed within Notre Dame’s college of engineering. The CS BS is accredited through the Computer Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Program Features
Computer Science students are allowed to specialize their degree at Notre Dame in five topic areas. These topic areas are: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Media Computing and Mobile Computing. There are several clubs that undergraduate students can join including: Usenix/Sage, Upsilon Pi Epsilon Indiana Delta Chapter, Tau Beta Pi Indiana Delta Chapter, the Society of Women Engineers Student Chapter and others.
Graduates come out of Notre Dame making about $58,000. Students will have developed a specialization while also taking advantage of the many clubs and opportunities that Notre Dame affords and will be well equipped for graduate school or industry whatever the student decides to choose.
22 University of Michigan At Ann Arbor
Overview
The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor is a public top ranking research institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their Computer Science degree is offered through the College of engineering or through the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Students can take courses in either department and they count as credit for either program.
Program Features
The Engineering department assists student’s education toward the creation of software, it helps them analyze algorithms and to solve problems. The engineering version of the Computer Science degree prepares students for the future of computation by giving them a firm foundation in practical and theoretical knowledge in Computer Science. The Literature, Sciences and Arts program includes more entrepreneurial knowledge and coursework empowering students to start their own firms and be self-starters. The choice for the students is whether to be a rock star programmer or whether to be better-rounded and business focused, able to see all sides of a problem.
These two philosophies of Computer Science education, traditional and entrepreneurial gives students a lot of choice and power over their time at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Between the two Ann Arbor sets up students for remarkable success either as employees and subject matter experts or as well rounded business owners and executives.
23 Washington University in St. Louis
Overview
The Washington University in St. Louis is located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is named about the first president, George Washington. Their Computer Science program is located under the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The program has a long history of tight knit relationships between students, faculty, wider academia, and industry professionals. The program also offers a significant amount of research funding for both students and faculty allowing students to operate closer to the edge of known technological technique and knowledge. This well founded program allows for one on one mentorship between faculty and students.
Program Features
The Computer Science program is offered as a Bachelors of science. Ambitious students can also take advantage of a 5 year BS/MS program in Computer Science or proceed from a Bachelors degree in Computer Science onto an MBA.
The Computer Science program at Washington University in St. Louis allows undergraduate students to engage in research. This is a key opportunity for a major public research institution. Giving students a leg up in applications to grad school or distinguishing them in the job market. This unique opportunity for mentorship forms a tight bond between students and professors.
24 University of Virginia
Overview
The University of Virginia is a highly esteemed research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is commonly referred to as UVA. The Computer Science program is housed within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, called SEAS for short. The Computer Science major is also offered as a Bachelor of Arts program in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Program Features
UVA has a large Computer Science program at 680 students spread between a total of nearly 30 faculty members. Students have the ability to work with professors both as teaching assistants as well as student researchers. The department is highly funded at 11 million dollars in research grants and funding.
This means that the University of Virginia is a top program for students to consider. The opportunities for student don’t end at research however. Students are able to take advanced courses in software engineering, programming languages, graphics, and much else. The skills gained at UVA will prepare students for opportunities in both research and on the job market.
25 University of Southern California
Overview
The University of Southern California is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880. It is the oldest private research university in California, making it older than the more famous university, Stanford. The Computer Science program is located in the Viterbi School of Engineering.
Program Features
The program ranks 12th on the US News and World Report scale for global Computer Science programs. It is one of the only major research universities with a strong video game program for students who want to break into the console, mobile or PC gaming industries. The Video Game program was ranked Number 1 by the Princeton Review for multiple years in a row.
If you want to learn to make video games or work in the industry its Los Angeles location in the heart of the general entertainment industry makes you a prime recruit from those firms and startups. You will learn strong skills in AI, Graphics, systems engineering, major gaming frameworks and more.
26 Carnegie Mellon University
Overview
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie, it is a highly ranked school especially in the sciences and engineering. Computer Science is not different. One of the advantages of attending the CS program at Carnegie Mellon is their commitment to diversity. The percentage of Computer Science graduates at Carnegie Mellon is 33%, which while that might not seem impressive, it is double the national average.
Program Features
The Carnegie Mellon Computer Science program is very flexible giving students the necessary grounding in computation while allowing the take extra courses in other departments giving students the multi- disciplinary expertise so often required in today’s world. The school gives undergraduates many opportunities to gain experience by stepping up as teaching assistants, student researchers, opportunities for summer internships and assistance on the job hunt.
This all adds up to large gains for the Computer Science student at Carnegie Mellon. Students make a median of $89,000 as their starting salary because they are so heavily courted by firms that love the Carnegie Mellon name. If a student wants to gain important experience that will empower them into the future, there is no way they can go wrong with choosing Carnegie Mellon.
27 University of Texas at Austin
Overview
The University of Texas at Austin, or UT Austin as it is usually known, is one of the largest public research universities in the entire world. It was established in 1833. The Department of Computer Science is one of the top departments for undergraduates and is commonly ranked near the top in most rankings. US News and World report has it at number five in a worldwide survey. This site has it ranked a little lower than that because it weighs heavily for gross salary and while the salaries at UT Austin are competitive for the Texas market, in gross terms they are lower due to cost of living.
Program Features
UT Austin offers five degree for Computer Science students, The Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Science and Arts, the Bachelor of Arts, The Bachelor of Science for Turing Scholars, which is an honors program. Additionally, particularly advanced students should consider their BS/MS five year program if they want to go on to higher levels in industry or else go on to a PhD.
Because of its large size and its top notch faculty, The University of Texas in Austin is great for a well prepared student who wants a competitive salary in a low cost of living situation allowing them to make the most of their skills. There are numerous public sector programs for interested students as well, such as INFOSEC, a public service cyber security program that offers a $22,500 stipend for students chosen for this program.
28 University of California at San Diego
Overview
The famous University of California system is well represented on this list and San Diego is no stranger to Computer Science excellence. Founded in 1961, SCSD has a famous and well developed Computer Science program. CSE faculty have earned many awards from professional societies, foundations, and government sponsored organizations.
Program Features
There are four options for the Computer Science student at UCSD. There is a BS in Computer Science, a BA in Computer Science, a BS in Computer Engineering and a BS in Computer Science with a specialization in bioinformatics. Undergraduates can also take part in the Honor’s program which allows students to perform research with faculty supervision and advice.
San Diego gives you an opportunity to study a rigorous topic with world class faculty by the beach staring out onto the Pacific Ocean. What more can someone ask for in their undergraduate years?
29 University of California at Santa Barbara
Overview
The University of California at Santa Barbara is a top ranking school within the University of California system. Located on the pacific coastline, Santa Barbara offers the Bachelors of Science in Computer Science degree through the College of Engineering. The degree is accredited via the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Program Features
UC Santa Barbara allows students to double major in other interesting disciplines such as Electrical Engineering, Physics, and Economics. They have an extensive study abroad program. This is a great opportunity for kids to do some traveling while they learn everything there is to know about Computer Science. The degree is also offered as a 5 year long BS/MS
Students should choose UC Santa Barbara for its idyllic pacific coastline location, its rigorous education, its study abroad options and its diverse student body. A truly forward thinking and progressive school, UC Santa Barbara has something for everyone.
30 University of California at Davis
Overview
The University of California at Davis, more often known as UC Davis, is a part of the public University of California system and is a public research university. The Computer Science department trains the next generation of coders and technology workers at the forefront of the technology field.
Program Features
The Computer Science major can be taken as both a Bachelors of Science at the engineering college as well as a Bachelors of arts at the college of letters and science. Combined both programs have over a thousand students.
Graduates of the Computer Science program at UC Davis will be prepared for roles involving research, theoretical work, hardware work and software development. It is truly a fully integrated and well-rounded Computer Science program worthy of anyone’s attention.
31 Santa Clara University
Overview
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit school located in Santa Clara, California. The Computer Science program is housed within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. This program is a BA in Computer Science. The program also offers a BS in Computer Science and Engineering and a BS in Web Design and Engineering within the Department of Computer Engineering.
Program Features
The social justice focus on projects and research that undergraduates can participate in serves as a differentiator among Computer Science programs. In 2015 teams of Computer Science students at Santa Clara developed tools for the visually and learning impaired so that they can learn programming. This allows individuals to be empowered to reach their highest potential.
As a Jesuit school, Santa Clara is devoted to academic rigor and social justice. This makes the school a perfect fit for someone who wants to go onto the nonprofit sector in or an empathetic and socially conscious for profit software firm, such as firms for micro-lending.
32 University of Florida
Overview
The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is exceptional in that it is a land-grant, sea-grant and a space-grant university. It was established in 1853.
Program Features
The Computer Science degree is offered by two departments: The College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The engineering program focuses on the technical aspects of Computer Science. The
Liberal Arts version of the major allows for more interdisciplinary skills and theoretical foundations. The focus between the two is technical competence and the ability to communicate across the digital divide to interested stakeholders.
If a student is a Florida resident, it is hard to beat this university. The tuition is a steal at $6,381 for an instate semester. Florida gives its students the technical foundation and skills to go on to excel in the business world.
33 University of California at Irvine
Overview
UC Irvine is the last school in the UC system to make this list and while it isn’t near the top like Berkeley is, it is still a very well rounded and comprehensive program worth student’s attention. The School of Information and Computer Sciences houses the Computer Science program. This make Irvine unique in that the Computer Science program isn’t housed under the engineering department or the arts and sciences college but has its own school to focus on computing prowess.
Program Features
The Bachelors in Computer Science is very flexible at Irvine allowing students to master various specializations. Students can gain skills in computer architecture and design, algorithms, bioinformatics, information science, networking and more.
The University of California at Irvine allows their Computer Science undergraduates to develop rewarding careers in both academia and in industry. The focus on Computer Science that the program has through the unique school for Computer Science allows an unpatrolled amount of attention to be given to Computer Science students. Most students go on to either careers in the open market or go on to graduate school.
34 California Polytechnic State University
Overview
California Polytechnic State University, often called Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. It was founded in 1901 as a vocational high school but expanded into a university. Since it is a polytechnic university it is not a research university as it does not grant PhDs.
Program Features
Cal Poly offers both a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science as well as a Bachelors of Science in Software Engineering. Cal Poly is primarily known for its commitment to a “learning by doing philosophy” empowering students to by giving them concrete projects that build a portfolio instead of asking them to cram for a final exam.
If you want to learn by doing and want an out of the box Computer Science education that can stretch your limits, you should consider Cal Poly. Its commitment to project based learning will allow you to build out real world coding examples that you can show to potential employers and empower you to get real results in the marketplace.
35 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Overview
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute or RPI is a private research university and space-grant university located in Troy, New York. It was established in 1824 for the “application of science to the common purposes of life” and is among the oldest technological universities in the English speaking world.
Program Features
The Computer Science program is housed within the School of Science. It is only offered as a Bachelors of Science giving this university a focused approach. The university is known for its co-ops which are university organized student internships with members of the technical community. This allows students to gain valuable skills they will learn in the real world.
The program offers many electives that will teach practical skills valuable for the Computer Science student. The requirements are largely theory focused allowing students to develop a deep understanding of how a computer works from the logic circuits to the highest level scripting program. When combined with the co-ops and the application focused elective RPI offers students a great education that is hard to beat.
36 College of William and Mary
Overview
The College of William and Mary is one of the oldest universities in the entire United States. It was established in 1693 and is named after King William III and Queen Mary II. Only Harvard is older than it. The Computer Science program is small but tight knit and community focused.
Program Features
The Computer Science program is offered as a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science that prepares students with skills in programming, object oriented programming, data structures and algorithm analysis. Students have the option of double majoring allowing their Computer Science skills to be applied to other domains like Business, Mathematics or Economics.
Computer Science graduates from William and Mary are in demand from all types of firms. The Williamsburg location and proximity to DC allow for a tight alumni network that advocates on behalf of graduates within that big city. William and Mary graduates tend to be well rounded individuals and that well roundedness prepares them for all sorts of challenges in life.
37 Northeastern University
Overview
Northeastern University is a private research university located in Boston Massachusetts and was established in 1898. Northeastern’s Computer Science degree is housed within the College of Computer and Information Science.
Program Features
The College of Computer and Information Science offers two versions of the Computer Science program, one is a BA and the other a BS. The BS is more in line with a traditional engineering Computer Science program emphasizing skills in the sciences and application to computers therein. The BA is more flexible with fewer requirements allowing students to customize their degree more to their liking. For example a student who wanted to take more philosophy courses and marry them to AI courses would be better fit for a BA degree rather than a BS.
A student who wants rigorous Computer Science program from a top university should definitely consider Northeastern. Its location in a top tier American city and its reputation for rigor and excellence places students in a position to make commanding offers for employment or else to go further in the education into graduate studies.
38 University of Maryland at College Park
Overview
The University of Maryland at College Park is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland close to DC and served by the DC metro. It was established in 1856 and is the flagship institution in the University of Maryland system, holding a similar place the Berkeley does with Californians. The school is highly rated because of their hackathons, ties to industry, and social capital built up with the wider DC area and with employer’s region-wide.
Program Features
The school has about 2300 different Computer Science students at the undergraduate level at any point and time. This means that as a member of a large pool of students you can find your niche within the overall student body. UM College Park is known for their many computing clubs including. the Association for Computing Machinery, the Association of Women in Computing, the CS Latino Group, the CS African American Group, the Mobile App Developers Club, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Robotics at Maryland, UMD Cyber Security Club, Virtual Reality Club, Technica, and BitCamp.
The University of Maryland at College park is a perfect choice for students of many diverse backgrounds and points of view. The computing fundamentals from the school are top notch and the school provides countless outlets in which their students can thrive.
39 Ohio State University
Overview
Ohio State University is a public university in Columbus Ohio and was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university. It is the largest and most prestigious public university in Ohio. The school offers three Bachelors programs from two colleges, the college of engineering and the college of arts and sciences.
Program Features
The Engineering College offers the Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and Engineering. The Bachelors of Science in Computer and Information Science and the Bachelors of Arts in Computer and Information Science is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. With these three options a student is well served in whatever they would like to develop their skills in.
Ohio State University as a large college has many clubs related to computing that various students can join including: the Association for Computing Machinery for Women, the Open Source Club, Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the Buckeye Hackers, the Collegiate Web Developers group, the Electronics Club, the Game creation Club, and the Mobile App Development Club. These clubs ensure every student finds their perfect place and allows them to thrive as they are nurtured within Ohio State University.
40 Brigham Young University
Overview
Brigham Young University was founded in 1875 in Provo Utah as a private research university that serves the Mormon population there in Utah. It is the largest religious university in the United States with 29,672 students who are on campus at the latest count. Even if you are not Mormon, Brigham Young is a solid institution that teaches well.
Program Features
Brigham Young is known for its theater and arts program and its influence over children’s movies. This has extended to its Bachelors of Science program in Computer Science. The program currently offers two concentrations for interested students. Those programs are an emphasis in Animation and Computer Graphics, or an emphasis in Bioinformatics.
A student looking to break into the gaming sphere with a specialty in computer graphics and animation should look to Brigham Young as a University worth investigating. Further those with an interest in making people healthier should consider the bioinformatics program. Even students who do not choose either concentration will be well served by their theoretical foundation and practical focus giving students a leg up in the job market.
41
New York University
Overview
NYU, or New York University, is a private nonprofit research university based in New York City and was founded in 1831. NYU is known as a major world university with reach and influence. Their CS program has many options for the interested student.
Program Features
A Computer Science student has four major options. They can get a BA in Computer Science through the College of Arts and Sciences. They may also get a dual degree giving them more skills and a better honed focus on more fields. The choices for the dual degree are either Mathematics, or Economics. Further, students with a more practical hands on focus may earn a BS in Computer Engineering through the Tandon School Engineering. There is also an accelerated master’s program for advanced students who would like to get a BA in Computer Science as well as a MS in Computer Science within 5 years.
Located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, a degree in Computer Science with NYU is a truly cosmopolitan experience. Further, with its proximity to silicon alley and Wall Street students are well positioned to be recruited from the top firms using technology today.
42 Stony Brook University part of SUNY
Overview
Stony Brook University is a public university of the State University of New York. It is located in Stony Brook, NY and was established in 1957. The Computer Science program is located in a beautiful $230 million dollar high tech facility at Stony Brook.
Program Features
The University offers a Computer Science and information systems degree. Students who want to go on to graduate studies will be well served by the joint BS/MS option for Computer and Information Systems and students who want to climb the corporate ladder or establish a technology firm of their own will enjoy the joint BS/MBA option. Stony Brook’s standard Bachelor degree gives students powerful resources at their disposal so that they are well positioned from the theoretical and the practical foundation that the program offers.
Stony Brook is an affordable university for in-state students. The instate tuition is only $8,855 a year. With the options stony brook affords its students compared with the unique cost saving opportunity, students from New York in particular will be well served by Stony Brooks offerings.
43 University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities
Overview
The University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities, more commonly called the UMN, is a public research university in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was established in 1851. It is the sixth largest university in the United States. The faculty that serves the Computer Science students are both productive and well-funded. Twenty three Computer Science and Engineering faculty members have received the NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award—the highest for Computer Science departments in the nation. Over the past two years, the Computer Science and Engineering Department has received over $35 million in new research funding.
Program Features
The Computer Science degree is offered as a BS for students who want a focused rigorous approach that builds in the theoretical and practical foundations of development, databases and coding. The university also offers the degree as a BA for students who would like to marry their passion for computing with another topic such as mathematics, economics, or psychology.
The University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities is a top ranking university and it positions Computer Science students well for positions in industry in the upper Midwest and beyond. Alumni from the university have created over 180 companies and are quite successful.
44 University of Connecticut
Overview
The University of Connecticut is a public land grant, national sea grant, and national space grant research university in Storrs, Connecticut. It was founded in 18881 and frequently is ranked highly by rankers as a best value and best regional university and their Computer Science program is no exception.
Program Features
Computer Science is taught with the Computer Science and Engineering Department. Students have three option from which to choose. They can choose a Computer Science BS, they can choose a Computer Engineering BS or they can combine the two into a dual degree in Computer Science and Engineering. This flexibility allows students to decide how close to the motherboard and the physicality of computing they want to go. More mathematical students will appreciate the Computer Science program for its abstraction and mathematical rigor and the more practically focused students should choose the Computer Engineering option for its close to the ground nature.
Between these two program students are well prepared for a great career or even to be able to go onto grad school. Student from the Northeast or nationally will be well served by the formation they will gain from the University of Connecticut.
45 Pennsylvania State University
Overview
Pennsylvania State University, more commonly known as Penn State, was founded in 1855 and is located in State College Pennsylvania. The school’s Electrical engineering and Computer Science department is what houses the Computer Science program. The program is designed to cultivate students with a thorough foundation in mathematics and computing.
Program Features
Penn State’s Computer Science program focuses on programming languages, databases, theoretical Computer Science and other important topics in the field. The upper classmen focus on data structures, algorithm analysis and computing systems in depth.
The university is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus and that extends to the engineering department. The Center for Engineering Outreach helps to include women and multicultural students gain acceptance and knowledge in the Computer Science field. Students who want to learn Computer Science in a rigorous and thorough way but also are committed to the key values of inclusion should consider Penn State.
46 Boston University
Overview
Boston University is a top-tier private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The university was founded in 1839 and while now nonsectarian has a historical connection with the United Methodist Church.
Program Features
The rigorous and intensive Computer Science program will teach you many things that will prepare you for the future. Topics covered in the Computer Science program include Probability, Computer Systems, Programming Languages, and Computational Theory. BU puts on its own hackathons and other clubs that allow students to show off their abilities and distinguish themselves. Additionally there are many research opportunities open to students with initiative.
Boston University is a frequently recruited university. Several alumni have gone on to top companies like: Google, Uber, Palantir, Microsoft, Cisco, GE, Fidelity, Accenture, Grubhub, and Amazon. Boston University is a great university from which to graduate if you want to make your way in the wider world.
47 University of Pittsburgh
Overview
The University of Pittsburgh is located in urban Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Pitt was established in 1787. Their Computer Science department is one of the oldest in the world because it was established in 1966. Their Computer Science program is heavily funded by government grants through the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and other federal organizations. It often ranks very highly on surveys of Computer Science productivity.
Program Features
The Computer Science degree is offered by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. The BS prepares students to excel in a world more heavily dominated by computers and computation. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to take graduate level courses for credit. There are five clubs within the Computer Science department: Women in Computer Science, the Computer Science Club, Students for Startups, the Robotics Club, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon.
Pitt students go on to enjoy lucrative internships during their education as organized by the Cooperative Education Program. The career services department helps students excel through the CS-Job Mailing List. This is a school devoted to the future of its students whether that is in academia or in industry.
48 University of Washington
Overview
The University of Washington is among the oldest schools on the West Coast. It was founded in 1861. The Computer Science and Engineering department is ranked among the best of the nation.
The Undergraduate program gives students two options: The Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts. The Bachelor of Science program is more engineering focus while the Bachelor of Arts allows students more electives in order to marry their interest in Computer Science to other interesting topics. The education at University of Washington is primarily project based giving students a hands on learning experience.
Program Features
Students at the University of Washington are often highly sought after and are often recruited by top Seattle area firms like Microsoft and Amazon. There are several clubs that a Computer Science student can belong to at the University of Washington including: Undergraduate Projects Lab, the student chapter of ACM, the student of ACM’s Women in Computing, and The Hub.
49 University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Overview
This university is commonly known in Umass. It is the largest public university in all of New England. The school’s College of Information and Computer Science is medium sized at 760 students with 40 professors overseeing their education. There are over 30 research centers, labs, and groups.
Program Features
UMass offers a BS in Computer Science as well as a BA in Computer Science. The BS is more engineering and computationally focused while the BA allows students to develop interdisciplinary skills by allowing for more elective courses.
UMass is a heavily recruited school whose students go on to either graduate studies or top tier firms such as Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, General Electric, and a number of other companies. Many students are hired on while they are in school and never have to worry about a job search in between their college days and after graduation.
50 University of Wisconsin at Madison
Overview
The University of Wisconsin at Madison was founded in 1848 making it the first university in the state. It is located at the capital in Madison Wisconsin. The Computer Science department is among the oldest in the world and is a category leader in fields like database systems, computer architecture and more.
Program Features
There are two major options for undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. They can either get a BS in Computer Science or a BA. The BS is more focused on courses within the department and closer to a traditional Computer Science engineering course load while the BA is a more interdisciplinary option geared for students with wide interests in applying computation to a different bevy of fields. Between these two students can gain skill in: artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer networks, computer security, and more.
Students at the university are highly sought after. Many end up in top firms like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and others. This is because of the project focused coursework allowing students to build up a well-balanced portfolio. This shows that students really know their material and can defend it in the job interview.
