10 Best Computer Science Schools in the U.S.

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A computer science degree will allow you to enter one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with a high salary in many countries.

But choosing a school to attend is not as simple as it seems. It’s a significant investment that you need to scratch your head to consider.

Do not worry! You don’t have to spend hours searching through the reviews. Let’s take a look at the 10 best computer science schools in America.

1. Yale University

Yale University
  • Established: 9, 1701 (320 years ago)
  • Type: Private research university
  • Location: New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.

This famous university’s computer science program started as a branch of the general math department. Alan Perlis, who served as the CS chair, founded it.

Since then, we have had many talented machine scientists who have attended Yale University. Up to now, the university has six fellows in the Association for Computing Machinery, which is only for the top 1% of ACM members.

So there’s no denying the appeal of a computer science degree offered by Yale University. The fact is that many top employers are already looking for computer science degree holders from this university. The most prominent names are Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple.

While studying here, you can expect to explore a wide range of coursework across many departments without compromising your progress in your major.

Website: https://cpsc.yale.edu/

2. Columbia University

  • Established: May 25, 1754 (268 years ago).
  • Type: Royal (1754–1776) and Private research university (1776–present).
  • Location: New York, the U.S.

This university offers a well-rounded computer science program with a distinct research focus that Columbia promises will be very different from other top universities.

When you study computer science here, you’ll conduct research alongside professors during your junior and senior years, something you might not get in many other computer science programs.

At Columbia, it’s an invaluable research opportunity because the professors here work alongside IBM, Lucent, Bell Labs, Microsoft, and more.

Recently, professors at this university have included Bjarne Stroustrup, the inventor of C++. It would be great to work with such professors, wouldn’t it?

Website: https://www.cs.columbia.edu/

3. Duke University

  • Established: 1838 (184 years ago).
  • Type: Private research university.
  • Location: Durham, North Carolina, United States

Every Duke University student will benefit from a highly potent research infrastructure. It may include internship opportunities that last ten weeks over the summer, called Code+, CS+, and Data+.

You may also be interested in one of the unique programs in computer science at this university, which is related to the Bass Connections program.

As a Duke CS student, you have dozens of opportunities to see how your work is applied in a real-world context.

Plus, you’ll also find yourself surrounded by brilliant talent, as Duke University has placed in the top 9 of the world finals of the International College Programming Competition for thirteen consecutive years.

Website: https://www.cs.duke.edu/

4. Harvard University

Harvard University
  • Established: 1636; 386 years ago
  • Type: Private research university
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.

Many computer science professors have earned computer science degrees from this prestigious university. Harvard University is leading both academic explorations of the art of computer science.

It is undeniable that attending Harvard is the dream of many people, not only Americans but also all over the world. Many people also think that this place is a university for geniuses around the world.

If you decide to pursue a computer science degree from Harvard, you’ll spend your first year centered around discovery. In addition to math prep courses, you’ll be free to dive into full computer science topics before choosing a major.

You may also benefit from the opportunity to cross-register for courses at the nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In other words, Harvard offers its students the opportunity to study two of the best computer science programs in the world.

Website: https://www.seas.harvard.edu/computer-science

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Established: October 13, 1885 (136 years ago).
  • Type: Public research university.
  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

The US News and World Report have ranked the university as the 10th best public school overall and the 4th most innovative country.

The innovation of this university is demonstrated within its computer science program. For example, when you’re pursuing a computer science degree at Georgia Tech, instead of concentrations, you can pick a “thread.”

The different topics you can choose from will represent the core foundations of your field. You can easily find info networks, devices, intelligence, etc.

When choosing a thread, you should decide based on what you want to accomplish. This innovative teaching structure is changing the landscape of education in computer science, allowing you to create exactly what you sought to make when you first started your computer science degree.

Website: https://www.cc.gatech.edu/degree-programs/bachelor-science-computer-science

6. Princeton University

Princeton University
  • Established: October 22, 1746 (275 years ago).
  • Type: Private research university.
  • Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States.

Princeton University offers a machine science program that is the only one that provides students the flexibility to earn a BSE or AB in computer science.

This accessibility and flexibility is a crucial focus of the local computer science department’s aspirations, requiring each student to take at least one computer science course.

In addition, you also have the opportunity to participate in much necessary research at Princeton related to the vast field of computer science. You can consult the three pages of the research projects listed on their official website.

Any computer science professor can take courses at this university to enhance students’ understanding of the exciting field.

So it is not surprising that Princeton University is ranked 3rd in the United States for the quality of undergraduate teaching.

Website: https://www.cs.princeton.edu/

7. California Institute of Technology

  • Established: September 23, 1891 (130 years ago).
  • Type: Private research university
  • Location: Pasadena, California, United States

California Institute of Technology is one of the most famous in the US. CalTech is also the most complex school when it comes to technical institutions.

So it is not unusual that the scholars at the California Institute of Technology are very strict, while the thinkers are very brilliant.

Thanks to its rigorous admissions process, this university has always had small class sizes with high-achieving students.

According to a statement from CalTech, its undergraduate class sizes typically range from 235 to 240 items drawn from a pool of about 8,000 applicants.

The main focus of CalTech’s computer science program is primarily providing the opportunity for its students to connect with the ever-expanding world of computer science.

It is expressed through their unique CMS-EE program. It is an outreach program that encourages leaders in the field to visit students at CalTech.

Website: https://www.cms.caltech.edu/academics/ugrad/ugrad_cs

8. Stanford University

Stanford University
  • Established: November 11, 1885 (136 years ago).
  • Type: Private research university.
  • Location: Stanford, California, United States.

There aren’t many schools as perfect for computer science geeks as Palo Alto, located in the charming California city.

The fact is that students majoring in computer science always have the opportunity to work for top CS companies. Even many Stanford students have founded them.

For example, the alumni of this university are the founders of Google, WhatsApp, Netflix, Youtube, and more.

So If we had to pick one representative of computer science schools across the globe, Stanford University would always be a strong candidate.

By attending Stanford, you will have the opportunity to undertake research through the innovative CURIS program it offers. It is a set of research internships that allow students to enroll for a semester, a summer, or an entire year.

Even as an undergraduate at Stanford, by producing high-quality research, you may even go on to shape the future of computer science globally.

Website: https://cs.stanford.edu/

9. Carnegie Mellon University

  • Established: 1900 (122 years ago).
  • Type: Private research university.
  • Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Over the past several decades, Carnegie Mellon University has consistently been in the top 5 computer science schools, something very few universities can do.

It offers its students nine college majors that are prestigious, strong, and innovative. If you want to dig deeper into your areas of interest and stand out from the rest of your class, taking an “additional major” is your best bet.

It is an optional major that you can consider after completing essential work related to your primary major.

In addition to excelling in all areas of computer science and several other majors, this university is also powerful in the artificial intelligence (AI) field.

It’s no surprise that Carnegie Mellon’s artificial intelligence programs are ranked as one of the top AI programs in the country.

Website: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/

10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Established: April 10, 1861 (161 years ago).
  • Type: Private land-grant research university.
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States.

Many prestigious rankings have acknowledged that this university’s computer science area is one-of-a-kind. As a computer science student at MIT, you’ll soon be immersed in a multitude of fascinating and diverse fields of study.

Whether passionate about healthcare, AI, cryptography, educational technology, or anything else, MIT is the perfect place for the curious and the smart. It will allow you to apply your computer science knowledge to a range of exciting research projects.

There is no leading technology company in the world without MIT graduates.

According to a statistic, there are about 173 former computer science students of this university working for Google, 36 working for Microsoft, and 23 working for Facebook.

In addition, the largest technology companies in the world also regularly consider hiring MIT students, allowing it to become the most groundbreaking computer science university in the country.

Website: https://www.eecs.mit.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/minor-in-computer-science/

FAQs

Why Should I Choose Computer Science?

Here are eight reasons to study computer science at university:

  • We are in a digital age
  • Make the world a better place
  • High earnings
  • Variety of specializations
  • Global opportunities
  • Transferable skills
  • Ongoing technological developments
  • Use your creativity

What Skills Do I Need to Become a Computer Scientist?

Whatever career you plan to pursue, you need to equip yourself with the proper skill set, and computer science is no exception. Here are the essential skills you need to succeed in computer science.

Examples of Skills for Computer Scientists

  • Technical and mathematical skills
  • Technical writing skill
  • Project management skill
  • Analytical skill
  • Problem-solving skill
  • Critical thinking skill
  • Teamwork and interpersonal skills
  • Communication skill

How to Improve Your Computer Scientist Skills

  • Determine which skills you need to improve
  • Use online resources to work on your skill sets
  • Learn how to apply theories in the workplace
  • Ask for feedback from your managers and team
  • Continue your education in computer science.

What is the Average Computer Scientist Salary in the US?

The estimated salary for a computer scientist is $123,344 per year in the US, with an average salary of $102,496 per year.

What is the Job Outlook for The Computer Scientist?

According to the BLS, computer & technology occupations, including computer scientists, will grow by 22% by 2030. It is significantly higher than the national average for all occupations.

What Positions can a Computer Science Graduate get?

Once you have a computer science degree, you can expect to get the following positions:

  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence engineer
  • Business analyst
  • Cloud computing engineer
  • Chief information security officer
  • Computer science professor
  • Computer science researcher
  • Database administrator
  • Data scientist
  • Engineering manager
  • Information security analyst
  • Full-stack developer
  • Information technology specialist
  • Network architect
  • Mobile application developer
  • Development scientist
  • Product manager
  • Software engineer
  • Software developer
  • Software tester
  • Software quality manager
  • Systems analyst
  • Web developer
  • User interface designer

The Bottom Line

Which university do you like? Which candidate do you think we missed? Where will you study computer security? Let us know through the comments section.

Thanks for your time!