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Best Value Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Carnegie Mellon University computer science graduates earn $160,116 annually, nearly triple the earnings of graduates from the state's most affordable program at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown ($67,202). This massive earnings gap reflects Pennsylvania's tech hierarchy, where elite private institutions command premium salaries while regional public campuses offer solid returns at lower costs. The state's 15 computer science programs range from $18,952 to $44,876 in net costs, creating options for every budget. Pennsylvania's tech sector continues expanding with major employers like Comcast headquartered in Philadelphia and UPMC driving healthcare technology innovation in Pittsburgh. Students can access competitive programs whether targeting Silicon Valley-level compensation or regional tech positions. The data reveals that net costs don't always predict outcomes, with University of Pennsylvania charging $31,229 annually while delivering $125,015 in graduate earnings.
37
Programs
$18,952 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$80,288
Avg. Program Earnings
71.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Computer Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $31,671 $160,116 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
2 $31,229 $125,015 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
3 $18,952 $67,202 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
4 $19,685 $54,644 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
5 $22,558 $55,547 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
6 $33,549 $78,552 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
7 $30,074 $67,202 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
8 $30,485 $67,995 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
9 $38,428 $75,330 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
10 $27,686 $51,273 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
11 $29,843 $52,000 71.1% 67.0%
12 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%
13 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
14 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
15 $44,876 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
16 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
17 $19,279 $19,404 38.9% 34.0%
18 $30,528 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
19 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
20 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
21 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
22 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
23 $30,314 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
24 $34,978 $47,146 75.5% 87.5%
25 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
26 $21,900 $54,960 66.5% 69.7%
27 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
28 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
29 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
30 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
31 $21,461 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
32 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
33 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
34 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
35 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
36 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
37 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Carnegie Mellon's computer science program worth the $31,671 annual cost?

Carnegie Mellon graduates earn $160,116 annually, the highest among Pennsylvania programs, with a 92.50% graduation rate. The university accepts only 11.30% of applicants, creating an elite cohort that commands top salaries in tech. Despite the competitive net cost, graduates typically see strong returns given the program's Silicon Valley connections and industry reputation.

How do public university computer science costs compare to private colleges in Pennsylvania?

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown offers the state's most affordable option at $18,952 net cost with 97.41% acceptance rate. The main Pittsburgh campus costs $30,074 annually while delivering similar $67,202 graduate earnings as the Johnstown branch. Public options provide significant savings compared to private colleges that average over $30,000 in net costs.

Is University of Pennsylvania computer science worth considering over Carnegie Mellon?

Penn charges $31,229 annually, similar to Carnegie Mellon's $31,671, but graduates earn $125,015 compared to Carnegie Mellon's $160,116. Penn accepts only 6.50% of students and maintains a 96.80% graduation rate. Both programs target elite tech positions, but Carnegie Mellon holds a clear earnings advantage for computer science specifically.

Where can students find quality computer science programs under $25,000 annually?

Four Pennsylvania programs cost under $25,000: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown ($18,952), York College ($19,685), Westminster College ($20,800), and Seton Hill University ($22,558). These schools offer solid career preparation with graduation rates from 53.40% to 71.00%. Regional employers value graduates from these programs for local tech positions.

Does Pennsylvania's job market support computer science graduates from all program levels?

Pennsylvania hosts major tech employers including Comcast, UPMC's healthcare technology division, and pharmaceutical companies requiring software talent. Graduate earnings range from $51,273 to $160,116 across the state's programs, reflecting varied opportunities from regional startups to Fortune 500 companies. The PA State Grant program helps in-state students afford these education investments.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.