Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
If you’re searching for a high-paying bachelor’s degree, then look no further. The nerds take home pretty tasty paychecks. In fact, computer science is one of the highest paying majors period, with the best schools for computer science setting students up for a successful future without drowning in debt. How did we calculate this? Review our ranking methodology to find out.
Is a computer science degree worth it?
Yes! Computer science degrees can lead to high paying jobs in the tech industry. The average computer science graduate earns $42,794 more per year than the national average for all bachelor’s holders.
Hesitating between several degrees? Use our tool below to compare several majors based on outcomes like future earnings. Find out what degrees are worth it, and which ones – not so much.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
$43,074
PAYBACK
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
1.2
ECONOMIC SCORE
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
This list includes programs that fall under the umbrella of computer science - 11.07 according to the National Center for Education Statistics’ CIP code classification system (we rank programs by the 4-digit CIP code). These programs may be referred to by slightly different names by the universities themselves. You can see what types of programs fall under 11.07 on the NCES website.
We evaluated 302 programs to find the best schools for computer science. To get a high score, programs must unlock an average annual salary that makes the cost of the degree “worth it”. If you want to get into the nuts and bolts of how we rank colleges, check out our full ranking methodology.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$19,500
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$256,539
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate98%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Although Harvard is widely known for its law and business programs, their computer science curriculum is also one of the best in the country. Students have the opportunity to combine their CS studies with other fields, including mathematics, physics, economics, psychology, and linguistics.
Harvard offers 3 distinct paths for aspiring computer scientists:
A.B. in Computer Science – This is a standard 4-year bachelor’s in computer science.
Computer Science Secondary Field – Students have the option to take computer science as a secondary field. This is a great way to get official recognition within Harvard for work in 2 fields.
A.B.-S.M. in Computer Science – If you are eligible for Advanced Standing on the basis of A.P. test scores, then you can sign up for this program. Students are able to graduate in 4 years with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The Mind, Brain, and Behavior Program (MBB) - This program looks into cognition and neuroscience from the perspective of computer science. This is an honors-only program.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,851
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$200,950
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate97%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Stanford University makes waves in academia year after year due to its prestigious curriculum and faculty. Their computer science program gives students broad training in computing and allows them to dabble in a variety of computer science disciplines while giving them an overall foundation in the field. Graduates often go on to work in exciting fields like AI, robotics, software design, theory, and hardware design.
The computer science department comprises 2 interdisciplinary majors: mathematical and computational sciences, and symbolic systems.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,296
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$106,141
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate60%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The computer science major includes courses in programming, data structures, algorithms, computer architecture, and logic design, with an emphasis on mathematics. The curriculum teaches students about the ideas and theories that surround the exploration and future of the digital age.
The computer science department offers 2 programs:
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,338
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$199,774
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate97%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The EECS (electrical engineering and computer science) program at MIT is at the cutting edge of its field. The intertwining of 2 popular fields gives students the ability to learn advanced subjects in a hands-on way. They explore electrical engineering and computer science fundamentals to understand the foundation of subjects like electronics, applied electromagnetics, and software development. Students also explore the inner workings of microelectronic devices and circuits, control and signal processing, bioelectrical science and engineering, computer systems engineering, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$34,550
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$247,552
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate91%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
This program arms students with solid knowledge of computer science, giving them the opportunity to expand on a particular field with a mandatory minor. During this well-rounded computer science program, students of the B.S. in computer science work on research while pursuing their degree: students earn college credit with part-time or summer jobs doing research.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$27,157
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$218,525
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate96%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The computer science program at Brown University mixes practical and theoretical computer science with additional insights in specialized areas. These topics include analysis of algorithms, AI, databases, robotics, graphics, mobile computing, networks, operating systems, programming language, and much more. Students can choose from several “pathways” or concentrations in areas like software principles, systems, data, AI/machine learning, theory, security, visual computing, computer architecture, computational biology, or design. Students can self-design their own pathway.
To choose your own pathway, you need to write a proposal, then get it approved by an advisor and the director of undergraduate studies.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,371
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$178,867
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Earning a computer science degree prepares students for an array of jobs in software engineering, web development, data analytics, and more. The computer science program teaches students about theory, algorithm design, logic design of computers, programming languages, databases, and natural language processing. Students will look beyond today’s technology, preparing for work at Fortune 500 companies, startups, and self-employment.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,531
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$175,145
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate96%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The undergraduate in computer science program at the University of Chicago allows you to choose between a B.A. and a B.S. degree. Students can also enroll in a BA/MA joint program if they’re looking to take their education a step further. A BA prepared students for grad school in the tech universe or for work in the tech industry. The BS gives you the same curriculum plus elective courses that allow you to learn more about a related field.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,917
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$164,139
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
At Vanderbilt's computer science program, you gain a strong foundation and practical skills for real-world computing scenarios. Working alongside esteemed professors, who are not only experts but also exceptional mentors, ensures you discover how best to put your abilities to work. Beyond technical training, the program offers a comprehensive liberal arts education, fostering problem-solving skills and preparing you for graduate studies in various fields like engineering, law, medicine, and finance.
Students can also complete summer internships with Google, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Qualcomm, Boeing, National Instruments, Intel, Oracle, or Amazon. They also have opportunities to work as part of a multi-disciplinary engineering team or do undergraduate research on cyber-physical systems or machine learning
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,404
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$144,297
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The computer science program provides a comprehensive education encompassing mathematical foundations of computing and practical skills in software and hardware development. Students have the flexibility to specialize in advanced disciplines ranging from human-computer interaction to artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Opportunities for research with professors, international study programs, internships at top companies, mentoring peers, and participation in K-12 outreach programs are available. This diverse curriculum ensures students gain a well-rounded understanding of computer science and opportunities to apply their knowledge in various domains.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,109
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$143,775
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate88%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Students of the computer science program at the University of Illinois Urbana gain knowledge in software design and information processing techniques spanning a wide array of subjects, including virtual reality, social computing, and data science. Students will have access to 800+ student organizations. Undergrads can also conduct research alongside esteemed faculty and access career services for internships, job searches, and resume development.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,921
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$97,630
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate59%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
CUNY Queens College offers students a variety of computer science options. Whether you want to enroll in a bachelor’s program, a BA/MA combined program, or just minor, students have several options to suit their learning needs.
If you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree, you can choose between a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The B.S. is slightly more rigorous than the B.A., with more coursework in computer science, mathematics, and experimental laboratory courses.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,058
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,735
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The computer science curriculum is crafted to prepare students for careers in software design and applied computer science, offering the essential theoretical groundwork for advanced studies in the field. The program facilitates adaptability to the dynamic and expanding profession. Core courses establish a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals and related mathematical concepts, while a diverse selection of electives enables students to customize their program according to their individual interests all while nestled in the greater Los Angeles area.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,651
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$185,679
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate96%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,434
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$85,603
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Students who complete the computer science program will gain the analytical skills needed to solve complex problems, the ability to design and assess computing-based solutions, effective communication in professional contexts, ethical decision-making based on legal principles, teamwork proficiency, and the application of computer science theory for solution development.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,768
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$149,178
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate95%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$23,497
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$160,457
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Columbia's computer science majors embark on a comprehensive journey, delving into computer-related areas like programming languages, operating systems, and computer architecture, while also exploring theoretical computer science and mathematics. The curriculum offers a broad spectrum of upper-level courses, covering topics from artificial intelligence to mathematical models for computation.
The program also encourages the fusion of computer science with additional career interests, leading some graduates to pursue programs in business administration, medicine, or other professional studies.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,968
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$103,986
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Explore the computer science program at BYU-Idaho, where students will learn about algorithm development, procedural and object-oriented design, and develop programming skills. From cracking the code of computer security to creating cool web designs, you'll explore it all. Plus, you'll master the art of technical communication and dive into the mind-bending theories of computing. Once you've graduated, you're not just set for a high paying job in the tech field, but you're also ready for graduate school.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,370
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$136,471
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,034
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$82,796
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate64%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Located in the heart of the Bronx, CUNY Lehman College offers students undergraduate programs in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems with the opportunity to minor in other relevant fields to broaden their knowledge. These programs prepare students for further study or careers in education, industry, government, or the non-profit sector.
Highest earnings states for computer science grads
State
Average salary
Rhode Island
$150,912
Massachusetts
$129,038
Washington
$123,495
New Hampshire
$123,369
New York
$120,182
What can you do with a computer science degree?
Most graduates find jobs in the tech industry, working at a big company, a start-up, or as freelancers. The jobs we list below are the highest-paying careers typically available to people with a computer science degree according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to College Scorecard, people who complete a bachelors degree online typically earn an average salary of $73,402 a year just 4 years after graduation, which is $26,932 more than the median salary of computer science graduates who studied on-campus.
If online learning is just a better fit for you, then check out our rankings for the best online computer science degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels to find out which programs are the best value.
It is a very good major. A computer or information science degree can unlock many lucrative jobs across industries and all over the world. The rapid growth of the field means that this major will give you a very good chance of finding a job soon after graduating. Even better, computer science jobs bring home big paychecks.
Earnings info
Check out the average salary of people with a computer science degree.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
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