Best Colleges for Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences programs prepare students for careers in software development, systems analysis, and technology consulting. Graduates typically earn around $59,045 annually, with potential for significant growth as they gain experience in this rapidly expanding field.

When evaluating programs among the 429 schools offering this major, students should prioritize institutions with modern computer labs, strong industry partnerships, and faculty with real-world experience. Look for curricula that balance theoretical foundations with practical programming skills in multiple languages. Internship opportunities and career placement rates are crucial indicators of program quality. The best programs also offer specialized tracks in areas like cybersecurity, data science, or web development to help students focus their studies on specific career paths.

Schools Ranked

$99,025

Avg. Program Earnings

88.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California	$155,297	93.2%	private-nonprofit
2	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$138,932	96.8%	private-nonprofit
3	Rice University Houston, Texas	$129,481	95.7%	private-nonprofit
4	Yale University New Haven, Connecticut	$122,038	96.3%	private-nonprofit
5	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$120,462	85.2%	public
6	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$110,878	92.7%	public
7	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$108,649	94.6%	private-nonprofit
8	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$94,408	92.5%	private-nonprofit
9	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$94,408	94.1%	private-nonprofit
10	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$94,281	93.2%	public
11	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	$92,077	95.3%	public
12	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$91,152	92.3%	public
13	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$89,968	96.8%	private-nonprofit
14	Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, California	$89,413		private-nonprofit
15	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$89,413	90.4%	private-nonprofit
16	Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, Massachusetts	$89,413		private-nonprofit
17	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$88,678	86.3%	public
18	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$87,532	83.2%	private-nonprofit
19	Wellesley College Wellesley, Massachusetts	$86,867	91.2%	private-nonprofit
20	University of Advancing Technology Tempe, Arizona	$86,129	39.3%	private-forprofit
21	Pace University New York, New York	$85,760	61.4%	private-nonprofit
22	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$84,653	88.6%	public
23	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$82,641	95.1%	private-nonprofit
24	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$81,609	85.1%	public
25	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$81,498	86.2%	private-nonprofit