Best degree programs for Computer and Information Research Scientists, ranked by enrollment
14 college programs and 2,068 schools train Computer and Information Research Scientists. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $140,300 median wage, 37,200 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
14 college programs at 2,068 schools train computer and information research scientists, graduating 264,029 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Computer Science. The job pays a median of $140,300 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About computer and information research scientists
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
14 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Sciencemain feeder CIP 11.0701 | 88,326 | 33.5% | 1,033 | $70,374 | $23,250 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Sciences, Generalmain feeder CIP 11.0101 | 73,454 | 27.8% | 879 | $57,986 | $24,286 |
| 3 | Information Technologymain feeder CIP 11.0103 | 48,440 | 18.3% | 671 | $57,986 | $24,286 |
| 4 | Information Science/Studiesmain feeder CIP 11.0401 | 23,083 | 8.7% | 369 | $57,313 | $25,833 |
| 5 | CIP 30.7001 | 11,020 | 4.2% | 297 | — | — |
| 6 | CIP 51.2706 | 3,664 | 1.4% | 157 | $47,775 | $25,000 |
| 7 | Informaticsmain feeder CIP 11.0104 | 3,531 | 1.3% | 71 | $57,986 | $24,286 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Sciences, Othermain feeder CIP 11.0199 | 2,981 | 1.1% | 80 | $57,986 | $24,286 |
| 9 | Artificial Intelligencemain feeder CIP 11.0102 | 2,576 | 1.0% | 122 | $57,986 | $24,286 |
| 10 | CIP 30.3101 | 2,389 | 0.9% | 51 | $57,986 | $25,812 |
| 11 | CIP 11.0902 | 1,612 | 0.6% | 61 | $43,901 | $22,822 |
| 12 | CIP 26.1103 | 1,606 | 0.6% | 101 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 13 | CIP 11.0804 | 1,256 | 0.5% | 48 | $33,504 | $27,000 |
| 14 | CIP 30.7099 | 91 | 0.0% | 13 | — | — |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · 5 feeder programs | 4,999 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 94% | — | 14% |
| 2 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 4,118 | Information Technology | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 3 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle, IL Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 3,921 | Information Technology | 37% | $32,381 | 98% |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 3,218 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 43% | $34,565 | 100% |
| 5 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · 6 feeder programs | 2,967 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 61% | — | 72% |
| 6 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 4 feeder programs | 2,759 | Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 93% | — | 11% |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · 5 feeder programs | 2,680 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 76% | — | 65% |
| 8 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · 6 feeder programs | 2,673 | Computer Science | 89% | — | 45% |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · 5 feeder programs | 2,661 | Computer Science | 85% | — | 42% |
| 10 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD Public · 6 feeder programs | 2,531 | Information Science/Studies | 33% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 8 feeder programs | 2,381 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 93% | — | 16% |
| 12 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 2,310 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 91% | $18,925 | 5% |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 6 feeder programs | 2,077 | Computer Science | 68% | — | 90% |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 5 feeder programs | 2,051 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 90% | — | 45% |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 2,037 | Computer Science | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 16 | University of the People Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 2,005 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 34% | — | — |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,963 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 89% | — | 27% |
| 18 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 1,901 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 88% | $29,023 | 9% |
| 19 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 8 feeder programs | 1,814 | Computer Science | 85% | — | 39% |
| 20 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 1,765 | Information Technology | 21% | $15,478 | — |
| 21 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Public · 4 feeder programs | 1,761 | Computer Science | 54% | — | 64% |
| 22 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 1,747 | Computer Science | 96% | $15,315 | 4% |
| 23 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,675 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 84% | — | 58% |
| 24 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,645 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 68% | — | 87% |
| 25 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,635 | Computer Science | 69% | — | 80% |
| 26 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 1,530 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 80% | $24,886 | 75% |
| 27 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 1,489 | Information Technology | 94% | $23,803 | 12% |
| 28 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 1,453 | Computer Science | 95% | $17,613 | 9% |
| 29 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ Public · 7 feeder programs | 1,443 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 73% | — | 65% |
| 30 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,440 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 1,430 | Information Technology | 33% | — | — |
| 32 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 1,422 | Information Technology | 50% | $11,672 | 99% |
| 33 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,406 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 54% | — | 80% |
| 34 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 1,384 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 35 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,381 | Computer Science | 83% | — | 50% |
| 36 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,353 | Computer Science | 86% | — | 27% |
| 37 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · 2 feeder programs | 1,309 | Computer Science | 70% | — | 77% |
| 38 | Trine University - Regional/Non - Traditional Campuses Angola, IN Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 1,289 | Information Science/Studies | 0% | $21,976 | 40% |
| 39 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 1,276 | Computer Science | 75% | $19,899 | 55% |
| 40 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,276 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 78% | — | 40% |
| 41 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,260 | Information Technology | 75% | — | 85% |
| 42 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · 5 feeder programs | 1,240 | Computer Science | 52% | — | 69% |
| 43 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,199 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 86% | — | 61% |
| 44 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA Public · 3 feeder programs | 1,162 | Information Technology | 33% | — | — |
| 45 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 6 feeder programs | 1,144 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 86% | — | 55% |
| 46 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Public · 3 feeder programs | 1,131 | Computer Science | 53% | — | 55% |
| 47 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 1,120 | Human Computer Interaction | 44% | $32,163 | — |
| 48 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 1,109 | Computer Science | 89% | $21,956 | 11% |
| 49 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · 3 feeder programs | 1,090 | Computer and Information Sciences, General | 74% | — | 55% |
| 50 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 1,085 | Computer Science | 92% | $12,032 | 4% |
What computer and information research scientists earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $159,100 | 8,440 | 1.94× | 201 | 28,319 |
| Texas | $121,210 | 1,960 | 0.58× | 114 | 20,099 |
| New York | $181,990 | 1,950 | 0.84× | 131 | 18,734 |
| Illinois | $136,540 | 630 | 0.43× | 74 | 13,752 |
| Florida | $119,810 | 1,070 | 0.45× | 77 | 12,629 |
| North Carolina | $128,370 | 600 | 0.50× | 98 | 10,824 |
| Massachusetts | $170,510 | 1,760 | 2.03× | 60 | 10,742 |
| Pennsylvania | $130,300 | 330 | 0.23× | 122 | 10,441 |
| Georgia | $92,250 | 810 | 0.69× | 43 | 9,902 |
| Maryland | $145,310 | 2,870 | 4.33× | 43 | 9,164 |
| Virginia | $157,390 | 3,590 | 3.65× | 65 | 8,463 |
| Arizona | $129,760 | 360 | 0.46× | 32 | 8,031 |
| Utah | $94,700 | 1,250 | 3.00× | 16 | 8,001 |
| Indiana | $85,460 | 720 | 0.94× | 42 | 7,844 |
| Missouri | $127,820 | 230 | 0.33× | 41 | 7,570 |
| New Jersey | $140,840 | 1,580 | 1.54× | 47 | 6,905 |
| Michigan | $82,590 | 530 | 0.50× | 51 | 6,042 |
| Colorado | $133,160 | 400 | 0.59× | 27 | 5,337 |
| Ohio | $135,510 | 280 | 0.21× | 65 | 5,317 |
| New Hampshire | $136,160 | 90 | 0.57× | 16 | 4,694 |
| Washington | $202,400 | 2,050 | 2.41× | 43 | 4,375 |
| Alabama | $117,870 | 570 | 1.13× | 45 | 3,751 |
| Minnesota | $135,850 | 30 | 0.05× | 44 | 2,942 |
| Tennessee | $108,830 | — | — | 48 | 2,806 |
| Connecticut | $131,650 | — | — | 20 | 2,493 |
| Oregon | $206,220 | 730 | 1.54× | 26 | 2,262 |
| Louisiana | $115,210 | 140 | 0.30× | 33 | 1,685 |
| Oklahoma | $93,100 | 590 | 1.44× | 31 | 1,622 |
| South Carolina | $126,980 | 430 | 0.78× | 31 | 1,488 |
| District of Columbia | $144,190 | 330 | 1.97× | 10 | 1,476 |
| Idaho | — | 70 | 0.35× | 10 | 1,133 |
| Mississippi | $109,050 | 300 | 1.07× | 18 | 920 |
| Nevada | $134,310 | 80 | 0.22× | 7 | 828 |
| Rhode Island | $121,470 | 500 | 4.20× | 9 | 814 |
| New Mexico | $165,690 | 490 | 2.36× | 15 | 665 |
| Hawaii | $134,350 | 70 | 0.46× | 8 | 477 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
- Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
- Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
- Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Design computers and the software that runs them.
- Conduct logical analyses of business, scientific, engineering, and other technical problems, formulating mathematical models of problems for solution by computers.
- Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues.
- Participate in multidisciplinary projects in areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, or robotics.
Skills
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.5
- Active Learning3.5
- Writing3.4
- Mathematics3.4
- Science3.1
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.6
- Mathematics4.1
- Engineering and Technology4.0
- English Language3.9
- Administration and Management3.3
- Design3.3
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning4.1
- Inductive Reasoning4.1
- Oral Expression4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Fluency of Ideas3.9
- Problem Sensitivity3.9
Core activities
- Working with Computers5.0
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.7
- Getting Information4.6
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.6
- Analyzing Data or Information4.6
- Thinking Creatively4.5
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Computer
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 15 majors mapped to Computer and Information Research Scientists14 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 11.0101Computer and Information Sciences, General
- 11.0102Artificial Intelligence
- 11.0103Information Technology
- 11.0104Informatics
- 11.0199Computer and Information Sciences, Other
- 11.0401Information Science/Studies
- 11.0701Computer Science
- 11.0804Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
- 11.0902Cloud Computing
- 26.1103Bioinformatics
- 30.3101Human Computer Interaction
- 30.7001Data Science, General
- 30.7099Data Science, Other
- 40.0512Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics(no graduates reported)
- 51.2706Medical Informatics
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Computer?+
Master's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Computer Science, which awarded 88,326 degrees in 2024-25, 33.5% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Computer?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 14 programs to this occupation. The largest are Computer and Information Sciences, Computer Science, Information Science/Studies, Data Science, plus 5 more. Together they graduate about 264,029 people a year.
How much do computer and information research scientists earn?+
The median is $140,300 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $82,200 at the 10th percentile to $230,630 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for computer and information research scientists growing?+
BLS projects a +19.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 3,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
2,068 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 14 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do computer and information research scientists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Computer Scientist, Research Scientist, Computer Specialist, Control System Computer Scientist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 15-1221.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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