Computer Science is one of the most preferred courses in the world. Thanks to the availability of the best universities for computer science, career outcomes, and prospects in the USA, the Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA is rather popular and a significant hit amongst students.
The bachelor of CS is about four years long in the USA. This course focuses on diverse topics such as robotics, machine learning, programming languages, artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, software engineering, bioinformatics, and theory of computing: computational biology, and cybersecurity.
As a result, students can go in many directions after graduating and pursue a lucrative career. The Bachelor of Computer Science graduates earn an average of USD 80,000 annually. After completing a master's in computer science or a relevant degree, this salary can reach up to USD 120,000 per year and more.
Why study Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA?
- USA has the best computer science universities globally, like Stanford University, MIT, University of California- Berkeley and CMU.
- The specialisations offered by US Universities in computer science cover artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, and many more, covering the interests of international students.
- The dream companies of computer science and IT pursuers like Amazon, Google, Apple, IBM, Intel etc., are located in the USA. The presence of these companies creates outstanding opportunities for international students.
- After completing Bachelor's in CS in the USA, the average salary is around USD 80,000.
- After completing their Bachelor if students wish to pursue a Master's or Integrated Master's PhD program, the USA offers plenty of research opportunities and universities.
Best Universities for Computer Science in the USA
The USA is a dream destination for countless computer science aspirants worldwide. One of the main reasons behind this is the leading computer science universities in the USA. These universities are known for their world-class degree and a wide range of specialisations covering programming, networking, and machine learning.
These are some of the best universities in the USA for studying Bachelor of CS in the USA.
Ranking |
University |
Location |
#1 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
Pittsburgh, PA |
#1 |
MIT |
Cambridge, MA |
#1 |
Stanford University |
Stanford, CA |
#1 |
University of California Berkeley |
Berkeley, CA |
#5 |
University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign |
Urbana, IL |
#6 |
Cornell University |
Ithaca, NY |
#6 |
University of Washington |
Seattle, WA |
#8 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Atlanta, GA |
#8 |
Princeton University |
Princeton, NJ |
#10 |
University of Texas- Austin |
Austin, Texas |
#11 |
California Institute of Technology |
Pasadena. CA |
#11 |
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, MI |
#13 |
Columbia University |
New York, NY |
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Computer Sciences courses available in the USA
Another crucial decision while studying in the US is to pick the right program. Computer Science is an extensive subject stream; therefore, there are different courses that you can select from:
- Computer Science & Molecular Biology
- Applied Urban Science & Informatics
- Information Management Systems
- Urban Science & Computer Science
- Computer Science- Networking & Systems
- Artificial Intelligence Certificate
These are some of the most famous CS degrees US universities offer undergraduate degrees.
University |
Bachelor of CS |
Location |
English Requirement |
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
Richardson, USA |
TOEFL: 80 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 67 |
Bachelor of Science in Computer engineering |
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Bachelor of Science in Software engineering |
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New York University |
Bachelor of Science in Computer engineering |
New York, USA |
TOEFL: 100 |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
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Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Mathematics |
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Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Data Science |
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Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/ Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering |
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Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/ Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering |
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University of Southern California |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
Los Angeles, USA |
TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7 PTE: 68 |
BS in Computer Engineering and Computer Science |
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BS in Computer Science/ Business Administration |
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Georgia Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
Atlanta, USA |
TOEFL: 69 IELTS: 6 |
BS/MS in Computer Engineering |
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BS in Computational Media |
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BS/MS in Computational Media and Digital Media |
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Arizona State University |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
Tempe, USA |
TOEFL: 79 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 53 |
B.S in Software Engineering |
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Applied Computing (Cybersecurity), BS |
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BSE Computer Systems Engineering |
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Applied Computing, BS |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology |
Cambridge, USA |
TOEFL: 90 SAT is accepted |
BS in Computer Science, Economics and Data Science |
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BS in Computer Science and Molecular Biology |
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BS in Computation and Cognition |
Requirements to study Computer Science in the USA (Bachelor level)
Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA: Academic Requirements
University |
Academic Requirement |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
A minimum GPA of 3.2 in the high school diploma with subjects such as maths, physics, and statistics. |
Stanford University |
Students need to pass a high school diploma with a GPA of 3.0/ B or better |
Columbia University |
Students must pass class 12th/ high school diploma with a minimum of A-grade or equivalent. |
Carnegie Mellon University |
Students must pass a high school diploma in English, mathematics, physics, and computer science with a minimum of B+. |
University of Texas Austin |
Students must pass class 12th/ high school diplomas with a minimum of 80% or equivalent. |
Harvard University |
Students must pass class 12th/ high school diploma with a minimum of 82% and equivalent GPA or Grade. |
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Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA: English Language and Additional Requirements
English proficiency demonstration is necessary for international students whose primary language is not English. In such circumstances, international students can present valid (at least two years old) English language test results like IELTS and TOEFL, depending on the university admission checklist.
The table below mentions the cut-off IELTS/ TOEFL requirements and other additional requirements, such as SAT and ACT scores for top US universities.
University |
IELTS/ TOEFL |
Additional Requirements |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
TOEFL IBT: 69 TOEFL Paper-based: 523 IELTS: 6 |
2 Recommendation letters Statement of Purpose (SOP) SAT/ ACT Scores A minimum score of admission: SAT: 480 or, ACT English: 17 |
Stanford University |
TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7 |
Three letters of Recommendations SOP SAT Score: 700 ACT Score: 32 Resume |
University of Washington |
TOEFL: 92 IELTS: 7 |
3 LOR SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 600 and 32, respectively. |
Carnegie Mellon University |
TOEFL IBT: 102 with a minimum of 25 in each section. IELTS: A minimum of 7.4 with no band less than 7.5 |
2 Teacher Recommendation Common Application essay SAT and ACT scores are optional |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
TOEFL: 90 IELTS: 7.0 |
LOR SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 770 and 33, respectively. |
New York University |
TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7.5 |
LOR SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 640 and 29, respectively. |
University of Texas, Austin |
TOEFL: 79 IELTS: 6.5 |
2 LORs SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 600 and 26, respectively. |
Columbia University |
TOEFL: 7.0 IELTS: 100 |
2 LORs SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 710 and 31, respectively. |
The University of Illinois at Chicago |
TOEFL: 80 IELTS: 6.5 |
2 Letters of Recommendations SOP SAT and act Scores are not compulsory |
University of California Berkeley |
TOEFL: 80 IELTS:6.5 |
2 Letters of Recommendation SOP Average SAT and ACT Scores are 700 and 29, respectively. |
How much does it cost to study Computer Science in the USA?
The expenses for studying computer science in the USA encompass pre-arrival expenses (Application fees, IELTS fee/ TOEFL Fee, SAT/ACT fee, VISA application fees, flight costs), tuition fees (explained below) and living expenses in the USA.
Generally, the monthly living expenses for international students in the USA range from USD 1000 to 2500 per month, depending on State.
Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA: Application fees
Are you wondering about the application fees in US Universities for a Bachelor of Computer Science? Have a look at the table below for reference. Generally, the application fee ranges from USD 60-130 for international students.
These universities also offer application fees waiver. Check the respective universities' computer science program websites for authentic and up-to-date information on this.
University |
Application Fees |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Domestic students: USD 75 International Students: USD 85 |
Stanford University |
USD 125 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
USD 75 |
New York University |
USD 80 |
Columbia University |
USD 85 |
University of Texas Austin |
USD 75 for domestic applicants USD 90 for international applicants |
University of Arizona |
USD 70 for domestic students USD 115 for international applicants |
University of California Berkeley |
USD 70 for domestic students USD 80 for international applicants |
Californa Institute of Technology |
USD 75 |
Virginia Institute of Technology |
USD 60 for domestic students USD 70 for international students. |
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Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Tuition fees
Pursuing a bachelor of CS in the USA is full of opportunities; however, it can get expensive. In broad range, the tuition fees for a Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA range from USD 35,000 to USD 80,000 per year. These courses are generally four years long.
University |
Annual Tuition fees in USD |
Stanford University |
55,473 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
54,600 |
University at Buffalo |
45,500 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
80,500 |
New York University |
74,200 |
University of Texas, Austin |
62,300 |
California State University Los Angeles Campus |
40,600 |
The University of Illinois at Chicago |
51,800 |
University of California Berkeley |
71,400 |
Oklahoma City University |
55,000 |
Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA: Scholarships for international students
- Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
- Washington University Scholarships
- Betty Stevens Frecknall Scholarship
- Princeton University Scholarships
- Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program
- NYIT Presidential Scholarship
- USC Stamps Scholarship
- Microsoft Tuition Scholarship
- VIP Women in Technology Scholarship (WTS)
- Excel Computing Scholarship
Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA: Scope and Salary
There are many specialisations in the field of computer science, like computing systems, commuting theory, networking, programming languages, databases, and Artificial Intelligence.
Depending on your major while studying Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA, you can pursue a career in any of these fields of computer science.
Job Profile |
The average salary in USD per year |
Systems Developer |
93,800 |
Database Engineer |
62,900 |
Business Analyst |
81,500 |
Network Engineer |
59,000 |
IT Specialist |
64,200 |
Web Developer |
58,000 |
Application Support Analyst |
69,000 |
Systems Engineer |
83,000 |
AI Engineer |
80,000 |
Program Manager |
111,000 |
Students can also pursue other related courses after completing a Bachelor of Computer Science and gaining some experience. Some subjects for reference are-