# Computer Science

> A program that focuses on computer theory, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-science
- CIP code: 11.07 (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services)
- Colleges offering it: 751 at its most common degree level
- Value ranking: https://www.collegesref.com/best-colleges/computer-science

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 88 | $85,830 | $104,270 | $16,600 |
| Associate's | 299 | $41,083 | $64,047 | $11,187 |
| Bachelor's | 751 | $73,883 | $99,177 | $20,500 |
| Master's | 298 | $118,338 | $151,603 | $34,500 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 125 | $154,263 | $165,750 | $74,338 |
| First professional | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 45 | not reported | $118,536 | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Pittsburgh, PA | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Cambridge, MA | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Ithaca, NY | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Princeton, NJ | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Claremont, CA | $217,051 | not reported |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Stanford, CA | $214,907 | $12,000 |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Providence, RI | $214,479 | $15,000 |
| [Williams College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/williams-college-3281) | Williamstown, MA | $209,574 | $12,000 |
| [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Berkeley, CA | $204,379 | $13,289 |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cambridge, MA | $203,169 | $13,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Computer and Information Systems Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-systems-managers): $175,140 median pay
- [Computer and Information Research Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-research-scientists): $140,300 median pay
- [Data Warehousing Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-warehousing-specialists): $139,500 median pay
- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Information Security Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-analysts): $129,180 median pay
- [Business Intelligence Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/business-intelligence-analysts): $120,230 median pay
- [Clinical Data Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-data-managers): $120,230 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Blockchain Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/blockchain-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Occupations, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-occupations-all-other): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Digital Forensics Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/digital-forensics-analysts): $116,580 median pay
- [Document Management Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/document-management-specialists): $116,580 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Security Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Technology Project Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-technology-project-managers): $116,580 median pay
- [Penetration Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/penetration-testers): $116,580 median pay
- [Web Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-administrators): $116,580 median pay
- [Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-quality-assurance-analysts-and-testers): $104,300 median pay
- [Video Game Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/video-game-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Web and Digital Interface Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-and-digital-interface-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Computer Programmers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-programmers): $100,390 median pay
- [Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-science-teachers-postsecondary): $96,980 median pay

## More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-and-information-sciences-general): 866 colleges
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-information-technology-administration-and-management): 642 colleges
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-software-and-media-applications): 419 colleges
- [Computer Programming](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-programming): 405 colleges
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-systems-networking-and-telecommunications): 372 colleges
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/information-science-studies): 265 colleges
- [Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-entry-microcomputer-applications): 109 colleges
- [Data Processing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-processing): 101 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/