Best Colleges for Computer Science in 2025–26
30 colleges with strong computer science programs, ranked by size and selectivity.
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
NC State University
Raleigh, NC
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
SUNY Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
About computer science as a major
Computer Science is the most-applied-to major in the US right now and one of the highest-paid out of college. A CS degree opens doors at every major tech company (Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla), but also increasingly at banks, hospitals, government, and almost every Fortune 500 company that has 'digital' in its strategy. The major itself ranges from theoretical (proofs, algorithms, computability) to applied (web apps, mobile apps, machine learning systems). Most programs require multivariable calculus, linear algebra, discrete math, and at least two years of programming-heavy coursework — but the specifics vary a lot. CS is also one of the most 'impacted' majors at competitive schools: at many top universities, CS has a separate, lower acceptance rate than the school overall.
Salary range
$90,000 – $135,000 median starting; $200,000+ at top tech firms
Study path
4-year BS or BA in CS. Core sequence: intro programming → data structures → algorithms → operating systems. Electives let you specialize in ML, security, systems, theory, HCI, or graphics.
How to choose a computer science program
Look for programs with strong industry partnerships, internship pipelines, and faculty who are active researchers. Consider whether you prefer a theoretical CS program (more math-heavy, more proofs, common at MIT, Princeton, CMU) or an applied one (more project-based, common at Berkeley, UCLA, UIUC). Co-op programs that alternate semesters of study with paid work experience (Northeastern, Georgia Tech, Drexel) are especially valuable in CS — they often turn into full-time offers. Watch for impacted-major restrictions: at some schools you have to declare CS at application time or face very competitive internal transfer. Industry recruiting on campus is a big signal of program quality — schools where Google, Meta, and Amazon do dedicated recruiting visits will produce more job-ready graduates.
Common career paths for computer science graduates
Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, Cybersecurity Analyst, AI/ML Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Systems Architect, Mobile Developer, Game Developer, Quantitative Analyst
Scholarships for computer science students
There are scholarships specifically for students studying computer science. Search our database to find awards you qualify for.
Find computer science scholarships →Last updated: November 2025. Live acceptance rates and tuition pulled from each college's most recent reporting.