Best colleges for Computer Science in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. Duke University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $133,356, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina State University at Raleigh and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill award the most Computer Science degrees in North Carolina: 1,213, 879 and 420 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 North Carolina colleges offer Computer Science and award 3,741 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $133,356 | 314 | 97% | $16,260 | $13,500 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree | $90,293 | 420 | 91% | — | $14,131 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,809 | 879 | 85% | — | $21,073 |
| 4 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,174 | 115 | 57% | — | $26,302 |
| 5 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,625 | 52 | 89% | $20,914 | $20,674 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,675 | 143 | 75% | — | $22,500 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,781 | 148 | 56% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,704 | 1,213 | 69% | — | $23,250 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,977 | 100 | 71% | — | $24,819 |
| 10 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,958 | 93 | 63% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Science degrees in North Carolina
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 1,213 | $67,704 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 879 | $85,809 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 420 | $90,293 |
| 4 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 314 | $133,356 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 148 | $67,781 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 143 | $68,675 |
| 7 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public | 115 | $81,174 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 100 | $66,977 |
| 9 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 93 | $65,958 |
| 10 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem Private not-for-profit | 52 | $75,625 |
ShowHide the other 14 North Carolina colleges offering Computer Science
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | Public | 38 |
| Elon University | Elon | Private not-for-profit | 37 |
| Davidson College | Davidson | Private not-for-profit | 35 |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | Public | 31 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | Public | 26 |
| University of North Carolina Asheville | Asheville | Public | 20 |
| High Point University | High Point | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Meredith College | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City | Public | 10 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Shaw University | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem | Public | 7 |
| University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Methodist University | Fayetteville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).
Top skills
What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1,213 graduates a year), North Carolina State University at Raleigh (879 graduates a year) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (420 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 North Carolina colleges offer Computer Science.
What is the best college for Computer Science in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Duke University leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $133,356, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the largest, with 1,213 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Science program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Duke University tops the list at $133,356. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in North Carolina is $136,080 (median $128,370), across about 600 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Computer Science program?+
The Computer Science program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation. This field encompasses both theoretical and applied disciplines, making it suitable for individuals interested in technology and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer and Information Research Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +19.7% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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