Computer Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their computer science programs.
College Factual analyzed 1091 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best computer science schools.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for computer science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 341 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $138,613 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,399.
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University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 796 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Computer Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $149,866 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,900.
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Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in computer science, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 467 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $152,656 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,698.
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Duke University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 274 computer science degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Duke University earn around $133,356 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
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Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 184 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $152,251 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #6 spot for computer science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 334 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $90,293 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,131.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best computer science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 323 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $154,492. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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Washington University In St Louis placed #8 among the best computer science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 210 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $110,302 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
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Georgetown University placed #9 among the best computer science schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 40 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Georgetown University earn around $92,974 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,007 to complete this degree.
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Brown University landed the #10 spot for computer science this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 243 computer science degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Brown University earn around $151,065 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,500.
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University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for computer science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 95 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $124,678. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #12 position for computer science this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 352 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
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University Of Maryland College Park ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 948 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $99,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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Tufts University placed #14 among the best computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 177 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from Tufts University earn around $105,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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Carnegie Mellon University landed the #15 spot for computer science this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 218 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $171,264. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $21,442 in student loans.
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Dartmouth College placed #16 among the best computer science schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. About 103 computer science degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $132,919. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $18,490 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 361 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $124,530. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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California Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for computer science this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 94 computer science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
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Northwestern University landed the #19 spot for computer science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 120 computer science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $99,981. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete this degree.
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Vanderbilt University landed the #20 spot for computer science this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 169 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $122,244 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Davis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 343 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the computer science program make about $53,749 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404.
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Princeton University landed the #22 spot for computer science this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 213 computer science students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $146,624 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #23 among the best computer science schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 515 computer science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $128,887. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,118 in student loans.
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University Of Chicago earned the #24 position for computer science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 178 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Computer Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $117,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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University Of California San Diego ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best computer science schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 415 computer science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their computer science degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $112,006 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,550 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Computer Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s computer science ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1091 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
