Best Computer Science Schools [2025 Guide & Rankings]
Selecting a college major is a big milestone—the moment your passions and goals align. If you can imagine yourself in a role where no two days are the same and creativity meets cutting-edge technology, Computer Science might be the perfect fit for you.
But CS isn’t just about coding. It’s a field full of exciting possibilities, from algorithms and artificial intelligence to software engineering and cybersecurity. These skills aren’t just in high demand—they open doors to nearly any industry that excites you.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Ranking Methodology
This ranking is grounded in facts, not just reputation. Using data from the College Scorecard, we’ve focused on four key areas that matter most to students:
- Affordability: The Average Net Price reveals what you’ll actually pay after financial aid and scholarships.
- Student Satisfaction: A high Retention Rate means students feel supported and happy enough to continue their programs.
- Academic Quality: The Graduation Rate shows how effectively schools help students reach the finish line.
- Student Outcomes: Median Earnings six years after graduation provide insight into career opportunities and financial success.
These top-ranked schools excel at delivering a great education that balances quality with affordability. While this list is a great starting point, remember that choosing the right program is personal.
10 Best Computer Science Schools for 2025
Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Admission Rate: 4%
Average SAT Score: 1553
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,761
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $78,898
In-state Tuition and Fees: $58,416
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $58,416
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $12,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $124,080
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Location: Atlanta, GA
Admission Rate: 17%
Average SAT Score: 1480
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,379
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $29,148
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,764
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $32,876
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,672
Median Earnings (10 years): $102,772
California Institute of Technology
Location: Pasadena, CA
Admission Rate: 3%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 982
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $79,947
In-state Tuition and Fees: $60,864
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $60,864
Median Total Debt After Graduation: Data unavailable
Median Earnings (10 years): $128,566
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Location: Seattle, WA
Admission Rate: 48%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 30,931
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Average Cost of Attendance: $28,650
In-state Tuition and Fees: $12,242
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $40,740
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $14,615
Median Earnings (10 years): $78,466
University of California-Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Admission Rate: 11%
Average SAT Score: Data unavailable
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,475
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $41,130
In-state Tuition and Fees: $14,395
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $44,467
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $13,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $92,446
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: Champaign, IL
Admission Rate: 45%
Average SAT Score: 1440
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,031
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Average Cost of Attendance: $31,636
In-state Tuition and Fees: $15,714
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $33,686
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $19,500
Median Earnings (10 years): $81,054
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA
Admission Rate: 4%
Average SAT Score: 1560
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,638
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $77,020
In-state Tuition and Fees: $57,986
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $57,986
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $14,768
Median Earnings (10 years): $143,372
The University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Admission Rate: 31%
Average SAT Score: 1373
Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,980
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Average Cost of Attendance: $29,361
In-state Tuition and Fees: $11,698
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $41,070
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $20,500
Median Earnings (10 years): $75,121
Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY
Admission Rate: 7%
Average SAT Score: 1527
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,676
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $80,278
In-state Tuition and Fees: $63,200
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $63,200
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $14,000
Median Earnings (10 years): $104,043
Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Admission Rate: 11%
Average SAT Score: 1546
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,005
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Average Cost of Attendance: $77,465
In-state Tuition and Fees: $61,344
Out-of-state Tuition and Fees: $61,344
Median Total Debt After Graduation: $21,750
Median Earnings (10 years): $114,862
Further Reading: Online Colleges that Offer Laptops
Analysis of the Top Computer Science Schools
This data-driven ranking reveals interesting insights into the top computer science programs in the U.S. While all of these institutions offer excellent academic opportunities, their strengths and focus vary, resulting in a range of outcomes for students. Looking at the composite ranking, a few patterns emerge.
Top Tier: Elite Institutions with High Overall Metrics
- Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) occupy the top two spots, showing a combination of very strong academic metrics, high post-graduate outcomes, and high selectivity. These institutions have consistently high average SAT scores and extraordinarily low admission rates, which signals their selectivity. MIT is noteworthy for its exceedingly high median earnings after 10 years and high 6-year earnings, and both have near-perfect graduation and retention rates, which indicates their ability to produce highly successful students. They are often seen as the gold standard in computer science, but note that their high cost of attendance can be a factor, even when offset by financial aid.
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech) also scores highly, demonstrating high selectivity, high earning potential, and very strong graduation and retention rates. Though its undergraduate enrollment is low compared to other schools, it has the highest SAT scores on this list, showing a focus on highly specific top tier students.
Top-to-Mid Tier: Schools with Strong Outcomes and More Accessible Admission
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) come in next, showcasing strong metrics in almost every category. Georgia Tech, though ranked lower, has a significantly lower average cost of attendance, making it a more affordable option. Both CMU and Georgia Tech have higher admission rates, which makes them more accessible to a greater range of students. Both produce high-earning graduates.
- Cornell University is next on the list, showing strong graduation and retention rates. Cornell has higher median debt than some of the other schools on this list but offers a strong overall program.
- University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) comes next, with a much higher undergraduate enrollment and a lower cost of attendance than the previous schools. UC Berkeley also features very strong graduation and retention rates and a lower-than-average median debt after graduation. These may make it an ideal choice for some students.
Lower to Mid Tier: Balancing Value and Access
- The University of Washington (UW), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) show much higher undergraduate enrollments, which is one reason for their lower ranking. Their admission rates are higher as well, making them more accessible to a wider range of students. These schools also tend to have lower median earnings than some of the other schools and may indicate they are not as highly specialized for a certain career path, as their large enrollments may indicate they are more generalized universities. UW also has the lowest median earnings of all the programs on this list, as well as the lowest graduation rate. Texas has lower metrics overall across the board but offers a lower cost of attendance than some of the other universities.
Key Takeaways:
- Cost vs. Outcome: While some of the highest-ranked institutions boast exceptional outcomes, their cost of attendance can be significant. Schools like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech show a high return, balancing quality with affordability.
- Selectivity: The admission rate and SAT scores highlight the selectivity of these schools. MIT, Stanford, and Caltech are the most competitive, while schools like UW and UT Austin are more accessible.
- Individual Priorities: The "best" school for you depends on your specific priorities. If cost is your primary concern, then UT or UW may be ideal. If prestige and earnings are your goals, then perhaps an institution like Stanford or MIT would be a better fit. If overall academic achievement with a reasonable price is your focus, then a school like Berkeley or UIUC might make more sense.
Choose the Best Computer Science Program Today!
There is no better time than now to enroll in the best computer science schools. You will have a rewarding future with many opportunities in a fast-paced, ever-changing career field. You can find the best program for your needs out of the 10 schools we reviewed in this guide.