The demand for computer science education is surging in colleges and universities nationwide, making admission to the top computer science programs highly competitive. This trend is not confined to higher education; even K-12 systems are incorporating coding into their curriculum, reflecting the tech-centric nature of contemporary industries and daily life. Enrolling in one of the Best Computer Science Schools featured on our list can pave the way for graduates to embark on fulfilling and lucrative careers in the tech sector.
University of California, San Diego
- Annual CS graduates: 435
- UCSD offers three bachelor’s degrees: B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Computer Engineering, and B.S. Computer Science with a Specialization in Bioinformatics, along with a minor option.
- The department boasts 50 faculty members conducting research across over 15 fields within CS.
University of California, Los Angeles
- Annual CS graduates: 283
- UCLA’s Computer Science Department traces its roots back to the 1940s, officially established in the mid-1960s.
- With 38 faculty members and 31 research labs and centers, UCLA provides ample opportunities for student engagement in research.
Harvard University
- Annual CS graduates: 190
- Students at Harvard complete a curriculum of eleven to fourteen 4-credit courses covering mathematics, theoretical computer science, and software.
- Undergraduate CS students at Harvard have numerous opportunities to participate in hands-on research projects.
Cornell University
- Annual CS graduates: 396
- Cornell’s CS department boasts 62 full-time faculty members, with a notable statistic of 40% of current undergraduate CS majors being women.
- The university offers a diverse range of research opportunities and initiatives within the field of computer science.
University of Southern California
- Annual CS graduates: 247
- USC’s CS department comprises 91 faculty members, including 23 NSF Early Career Award winners and 9 National Academy members.
- The B.S. in Computer Science degree program provides a comprehensive curriculum, covering various aspects of the discipline.
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Brown University
- Annual CS graduates: 229
- Brown offers a fifth-year master’s degree option, allowing students to deepen their knowledge and expertise.
- With 45 primary faculty members and numerous affiliated professors, Brown provides a vibrant academic environment for CS students.
Carnegie Mellon University
- Annual CS graduates: 237
- CMU undergraduates can specialize in various concentration topics, including Robotics, Machine Learning, and Software Engineering.
- Research opportunities are abundant, with students required to write an undergraduate thesis as part of their program.
Swarthmore College
- Annual CS graduates: 65
- Swarthmore’s CS program has garnered recognition through its achievements in competitions and robot contests.
- Many graduates pursue further education or apply their CS skills across diverse fields such as medicine, law, and academia.
University of Texas at Austin
- Annual CS graduates: 445
- UT Austin offers undergraduate concentrations in areas like Big Data, Cybersecurity, and Game Development.
- The university hosts close to 20 student organizations dedicated to computer science-related interests.
University of California, Irvine
- Annual CS graduates: 805
- UCI students engage in research across various areas, including artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and software engineering.
- The CS program offers nine areas of specialization, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Annual CS graduates: 424
- An impressive 90% of undergraduates in the department complete a research project during their time at MIT.
- The Electrical Engineering Computer Science (EECS) department boasts 169 professors.
Stanford University
- Annual CS graduates: 307
- Stanford consistently ranks among the top colleges for computer science.
- The department comprises 72 esteemed faculty members, offering undergraduates opportunities for research in various world-class laboratory settings.
California Institute of Technology
- Annual CS graduates: 72
- Students engage in undergraduate research across various areas, including Algorithmic Economics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics.
- Course offerings cover a broad spectrum, from Decidability and Tractability to Data Structures & Parallelism.
University of California, Berkeley
- Annual CS graduates: 845
- UC Berkeley’s CS department boasts over 200 faculty members, including prestigious award recipients and fellows.
- The campus hosts numerous CS-related research labs.
Columbia University
- Annual CS graduates: 341
- Professors maintain collaborative ties with industry leaders like Bell Labs, IBM, and Microsoft.
- Undergraduates participate in research spanning areas such as Graphics, Security, Machine Learning, and Robotics.
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University of Michigan
- Annual CS graduates: 930
- Students can pursue CS majors within different departments and minors.
- Around 150 undergraduates engage in research with faculty each year, with many positions being paid.
Yale University
- Annual CS graduates: 96
- Yale offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts majors in Computer Science, along with combined Bachelor’s/Master’s programs and joint majors with departments like Economics and Mathematics.
- A diverse range of research opportunities is available for Yale’s CS students.
Johns Hopkins University
- Annual CS graduates: 128
- JHU offers B.A. and B.S. programs in computer science, with a minor option also available.
- The department boasts 52 professors dedicated to advancing research and education in computer science.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Annual CS graduates: 291
- UIUC’s CS program within the Grainger College of Engineering is highly selective and renowned nationwide.
- With over 120 faculty members, including esteemed fellows and award winners, UIUC offers extensive research opportunities for its students.
University of Pennsylvania
- Annual CS graduates: 107
- UPenn’s CS curriculum includes courses such as Automata, Computability, and Complexity, along with hands-on projects and research opportunities.
- The department provides a wide variety of undergraduate research opportunities across various specialization areas.
University of Washington
- Annual CS graduates: 378
- A leading public university for computer science education, UW offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.
- With 75 core faculty members, UW provides a robust academic environment for students pursuing CS degrees.
University of Maryland
- Annual CS graduates: 746
- UMD’s CS major includes a range of foundational and specialized courses, along with opportunities for undergraduate research projects.
- The university fosters a dynamic learning environment with a focus on practical skills and theoretical understanding.
University of Chicago
- Annual CS graduates: 93
- With an expanding faculty of 65 members, UChicago offers a comprehensive curriculum covering various interdisciplinary areas.
- Students are exposed to a diverse range of courses and encouraged to explore connections between CS and other disciplines.
University of Texas at Dallas
- Annual CS graduates: 714
- UT Dallas offers majors in Computer Science and Software Engineering, with graduates commanding competitive starting salaries.
- The university’s large CS program provides ample opportunities for students to engage in research and professional development.
Dartmouth College
- Annual CS graduates: 99
- Dartmouth offers both minor and major options in computer science, along with modified majors in related fields.
- The curriculum covers diverse topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Web Development, and Data Structures.
Amherst College
- Annual CS graduates: 46
- Amherst’s CS program offers research opportunities through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and a rigorous academic curriculum.
- With a focus on foundational and advanced coursework, Amherst prepares students for diverse career paths in computer science.
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New York University
- Annual CS graduates: 487
- NYU offers majors in Computer Science and joint programs with Data Science, Mathematics, and Economics.
- Research opportunities are available through courses and independent study options.
University of California, Santa Barbara
- Annual CS graduates: 145
- UCSB fosters a vibrant CS community through active student organizations and a diverse range of upper-division courses.
- The department emphasizes practical skills and offers research opportunities in various specialized areas.
Washington University in St. Louis
- Annual CS graduates: 180
- WUSTL offers multiple degree options, including Business + Computer Science and Data Science.
- With a rich history dating back to 1965, WUSTL’s CS program has a strong legacy of innovation and academic excellence.
University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Annual CS graduates: 628
- UW-Madison has experienced significant growth in its CS program, offering advanced coursework in areas like Software Engineering and Virtual Reality.
- The university provides a supportive environment for students to pursue their academic and professional goals in computer science.
Carleton College
- Annual CS graduates: 71
- Carleton’s CS program emphasizes practical problem-solving skills through its Comps capstone project.
- With a dedicated faculty and hands-on learning opportunities, Carleton prepares students for success in the field of computer science.
Northwestern University
- Annual CS graduates: 94
- Northwestern offers both B.S. and B.A. degrees in computer science, with research opportunities across various research areas.
- Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaborations and a diverse range of elective courses.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Annual CS graduates: 201
- WPI’s CS program offers real-world problem-solving experiences through its Major Qualifying Project.
- With an extensive curriculum and research opportunities, WPI equips students with the skills and knowledge for success in the field.
Pomona College
- Annual CS graduates: 34
- Pomona’s CS program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering various topics in computer science.
- The department’s small size allows for personalized attention and hands-on learning experiences.
Duke University
- Annual CS graduates: 339
- Undergraduates have access to summer programs like CS+, Code+, and Data+, as well as research opportunities during the academic year.
- Duke has a strong presence in programming contests and hosts regular student-run Hackathons.
Harvey Mudd College
- Annual CS graduates: 47
- HMC offers minors and majors in Computer Science and joint programs with Mathematics and Computational Biology.
- Various research opportunities are available throughout the year, including summer programs.
Georgia Institute of Technology
- Annual CS graduates: 706
- Ranked #5 by U.S. News, Georgia Tech’s undergraduate program excels in cybersecurity education and software engineering.
- Students can personalize their education through eight different “threads” in computer science.
Princeton University
- Annual CS graduates: 158
- Students can major in computer science or pursue a Certificate Program in Applications of Computing alongside other majors.
- Undergraduates can participate in a wide range of research projects across different areas of interest.
Purdue University
- Annual CS graduates: 469
- Purdue’s Department of Computer Science offers three distinct bachelor’s degrees: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Data Science.
- The undergraduate degree program in computer science at Purdue includes core requirements such as Problem-Solving and Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, and Computer Architecture.
Rutgers University
- Annual CS graduates: 572
- Rutgers’ Computer Science program, established in 1966, is housed within the School of Arts and Sciences.
- Admission to the CS major at Rutgers requires achieving a C or better in courses like Calculus, Intro to Computer Science, Data Structures, and Discrete Structures.
Virginia Tech
- Annual CS graduates: 311
- Undergraduates at Virginia Tech can major in Computer Science or choose specialized tracks like Secure Computing or Data-Centric Computing.
- The university provides numerous opportunities for experiential learning, including internships, study abroad programs, capstone projects, and undergraduate research.
University of Minnesota
- Annual CS graduates: 462
- The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, established in 1970, boasts 62 faculty members.
- With $35 million in recent research funding, the department focuses on areas such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Networks, Systems, and Security.
Penn State University
- Annual CS graduates: 300+
- Penn State offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Sciences, and Electrical Engineering.
- Students can engage in research projects spanning various domains, including Data Sciences, Programming Languages, Computer Vision, Networks, and High-Performance Computing.
Conclusion
These universities stand out as top destinations for students aspiring to excel in computer science. From Purdue’s diverse range of bachelor’s degrees to Rutgers’ longstanding history in the field, each institution offers unique opportunities for academic growth and research. Virginia Tech’s specialized tracks, the extensive research funding at the University of Minnesota, and Penn State’s multidisciplinary approach underscore the dynamic nature of computer science education at these universities. Whether students seek to pursue careers in AI, data science, or cybersecurity, these institutions provide the foundation and resources necessary for success in the ever-evolving field of computer science.