The education system of the USA is famous globally. The US has been ruling the education sector like a pro for decades, be it a medical degree, social science degree or Information Technology degree. One such subject which is thriving in the US is Computer Science.
Be it a Bachelor's degree or a master's degree, or a doctorate in Computer Science related subjects, the USA offers the best universities, countless specializations, scholarship opportunities, research outlets, and placements.
As you will see in the table below, 15 Top Computer Science Universities in the USA fall under the top 50 universities worldwide for Computer Science degrees.
Top Universities for Computer Science in the USA
|
Global QS Ranking (2023) for CS Programs |
Computer Science Universities |
|
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|
3 |
Stanford University |
|
2 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
|
4 |
University of California, Berkeley |
|
8 |
Harvard University |
|
13 |
Princeton University |
| 18 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
|
14 |
University of Washington |
|
23 |
Columbia University |
|
26 |
New York University |
|
28 |
Georgia Tech |
|
17 |
Cornell University |
|
=36 |
University of Texas, Austin |
|
351-400 |
University of Illinois- Urban Campaign |
|
43 |
University of Pennsylvania |
|
55 |
University of Southern California |
|
=36 |
Yale University |
|
=46 |
UCSD |
|
50 |
University of Michigan |
|
Talk to an ExpertTop Computer Science Universities in the USA: Bachelor of Computer Science
The course duration of a Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA is 4 years. Most of the top universities offer placement or paid internships to students.
Bachelor of Computer Science courses in the USA
|
University |
Bachelor of CS |
|
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
|
Bachelor of Science in Computer engineering |
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Software engineering |
|
|
New York University |
Bachelor of Science in Computer engineering |
|
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
|
|
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Mathematics |
|
|
Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Data Science |
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/ Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering |
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science/ Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering |
|
|
University of Southern California |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
|
BS in Computer Engineering and Computer Science |
|
|
BS in Computer Science/ Business Administration |
|
|
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
|
BS/MS in Computer Engineering |
|
|
BS in Computational Media |
|
|
BS/MS in Computational Media and Digital Media |
|
|
Arizona State University |
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science |
|
B.S in Software Engineering |
|
|
Applied Computing (Cybersecurity), BS |
|
|
BSE Computer Systems Engineering |
|
|
Applied Computing, BS |
|
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology |
|
BS in Computer Science, Economics and Data Science |
|
|
BS in Computer Science and Molecular Biology |
|
|
BS in Computation and Cognition |
Eligibility
Application Requirement / Document Checklist
- Academic documents (transcripts, character and provisional certificates) from class and +2 level.
- Valid English test scorecards
- Statement of Purpose
- 1-3 LOR
- SAT/ACT Scores
- Identification documents like passports
- Proof of Scholarships -
- Application fees
Academic Requirements
To study for a bachelor's degree in top data science universities in the USA, one must bring a minimum of 3.0 GPA in secondary level with mathematics, physics and chemistry.
Nevertheless, there are other universities where students can study with a minimum of 2.75 GPA.
Note that a good SAT/ACT score or academic profile can also help international students get scholarships in the USA.
English test scores
The minimum English language scores to study an undergraduate degree in data science in the USA are-
- IELTS: A minimum of 6.0- 7.0, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL: An overall score of 70- 90, with at least 18 in each section
- PTE: A minimum score of 50- 68, with no band score less than 50.
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: BS in Computer Science Fees for international students
A Bachelor of Computer Science could be expensive for international students. Check out the universities below for precise information on this.
|
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 |
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: Masters in Computer Science
Master of Computer Science courses in USA
|
University offering the MS in CS |
Master in Computer Science course in USA |
|
Harvard University |
MS in Computational Science and Engineering |
|
The University of Texas at Austin |
Master of Science in Computer Science |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Master of Science Program in Computation for Design and Optimization |
|
New York University |
MS Computer Engineering |
|
Cleveland State University |
Master of Computer and Information Science in Computer Science |
|
University at Buffalo |
MS Computer Science |
|
The University of California- Berkeley Campus |
Master of Science in Computer Science |
|
Georgia Institute of Technology |
MS in Computational Science and Engineering |
|
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Master of Science in Software Engineering |
Eligibility
Document Checklist
- Academic documents (transcripts, character and provisional certificates) from class 10, +2 and related bachelor’s level.
- Valid English test scorecards
- Experience letter
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- GRE/GMAT Scores
- 1-3 LORs if asked (Academic LOR are given more priority)
- Essays
- Video Essays
- Identification documents like passports
- Proof of Scholarships - If any
Academic Requirements
- A 3 or 4-year bachelor's degree in mathematics or relevant degrees (Informatics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, electrical engineering, linguistics, philosophy, physics, psychology or another quantitative discipline) with a minimum of 2.5 GPA. (For some top universities a minimum of 3.0 GPA is required )
GRE/ GMAT Score Requirements
While GRE is waived by some universities for the MS in Computer Science program in the USA due to COVID-19, they still continue to be one of the most important requirements for many other universities. The GRE score criteria range from 292- 324 for the Master of Computer Science program.
Additionally, GRE/GMAT Scores help you compensate for academics if you are a little low on them.
English test scores
International students need to demonstrate their English language proficiency with minimum scores of-
- IELTS: Academic IELTS score of 6.5-7.0, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL: Overall 90- 100, with a minimum of 20 in each part.
- PTE: Overall 60-70, with no band less than 60.
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: Masters in Computer Science Fees for international students
|
MS in Computer Science University |
Total course Cost(in USD) |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
109,864 |
|
Stanford University |
69,674 |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
58,442 |
|
University of California, Berkeley |
13,272- 35,000 |
|
Harvard University |
57,000 |
|
Princeton University |
120,080 |
|
University of California, Los Angeles |
64,908 |
|
University of Washington |
15,000 |
|
Columbia University |
60,540 |
|
New York University |
98,208 |
|
Georgia Tech |
40,000 |
|
Cornell University |
117,172 |
|
University of Texas, Austin |
50,432 |
|
University of Illinois- Urban Campaign |
34,648 |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
113,572 |
|
University of Southern California |
51,590 |
|
Yale University |
141,000 |
|
UCSD |
64,214 |
|
University of Michigan |
52,960 |
|
Boston University |
58,560 |
|
Computer Science Universities in the USA: PhD in Computer Science
PhD in Computer Science courses in USA
|
University |
PhD in Computer Science |
|
Auburn University |
PhD in Computer Science and Software Engineering |
|
George Washington University |
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering |
|
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering |
|
University of Texas Arlington |
PhD in Computer Science |
|
University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Information and Computer Sciences |
PhD in Computer Science |
|
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
PhD in Computing and Information Sciences |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
PhD in Computational Science and Engineering |
|
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor |
PhD in Robotics |
|
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh |
PhD in Information Management Systems and Technology Management |
Eligibility
Document Checklist for applying to computer science at the Doctorate level.
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- GRE/ GMAT Scores, A Good GRE/GMAT Score is an entry requirement for most PhD Programs.
- Experience letter for gap
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Identification documents like passport
Academic Requirements
- Applicants need a 4-year bachelor's degree with a substantial research component and a minimum of 60%.
- Applicants must complete a master's degree in a relevant specialization and show commendable research skills.
- The evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee.
- For doctorate degrees, candidates need to find and finalize the supervisor.
English test scores
International students from non-native English-speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: 6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79-100, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 58-70, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: PhD in Computer Science Fees for international students
The tuition fees for PhD in Computer Science in the USA range from USD 15,000 to USD 80,000 annually. Thankfully, the universities in the USA offer funding to most PhD applicants for their research. As a part of this, the entire tuition fee of the PhD Course duration is waived, and students also get stipends for their living expenses.
To get such financial aid, applicants need to reach out to the professor of the computer science department who shares the same research interest as you. If the professor feels that the applicants are the right fit for the program and have good research skills, they will reach out and offer student assistantships.
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: Scholarships and Financial Aids
- Full Bright Scholarship
- The Intel and ACM SIGHPC Computational and Data Science Scholarships
- Global Excellence Awards
- MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship
- Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship
- National Defence Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
- National GEM Consortium
- Bill Caspar Memorial Diversity Scholarship
- Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
- 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
Top Computer Science Universities in the USA: Future Prospects
Computer Science is one of the fastest-growing and most stable fields today. It is among the most paying fields in which professionals can earn up to USD 200,000 annually.
Some of the world’s leading companies which hire graduates of Computer Science are:
- CSC
- AppLabs
- Microsoft
- Apple
- General Dynamics
- Microsoft
- Deloitte
- Amazon.com
- ManTech International
- Raytheon
- Hewlett-Packard
- Northrop Grumman
Computer Science highest paying jobs according to Payscale:
|
Rank |
Job Title |
Most Common Major |
Mid-Career Pay |
|
1 |
Software Development Director |
Computer Science (CS) |
$163,000 |
|
2 |
Principal Software Engineer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$149,000 |
|
3 |
Security Architect, IT |
Computer Science (CS) |
$137,000 |
|
4 |
Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$118,000 |
|
5 |
Cyber Security Engineer |
Cybersecurity |
$113,000 |
|
6 |
Security Consultant (Computing / Networking / Information Technology) |
Computer Science (CS) |
$110,000 |
|
7 |
Salesforce Developer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$109,000 |
|
8 |
Security Engineer, Information Systems |
Computer Science (CS) |
$108,000 |
|
9 |
Full-Stack Software Engineer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$105,000 |
|
10 |
Information Security Officer |
Information Technology (IT) |
$102,000 |
|
11 |
Mobile Applications Developer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$101,000 |
|
12 |
Software Developer |
Computer Science (CS) |
$97,500 |
|
13 |
Computer Scientist |
Computer Science (CS) |
$97,300 |
|
14 |
Cyber Security Analyst |
Cybersecurity |
$91,700 |
|
15 |
Linux System Administrator |
Computer Science (CS) |
$89,400 |
