Best colleges for Computer Science in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Carnegie Mellon University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $171,264, College Scorecard. Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most Computer Science degrees in Pennsylvania: 389, 322 and 299 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 55 Pennsylvania colleges offer Computer Science and award 2,529 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 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $171,264 | 389 | 94% | $23,803 | $21,442 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $124,678 | 287 | 97% | $22,055 | $13,500 |
| 3 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $88,587 | 180 | 88% | $26,912 | $23,854 |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,930 | 322 | 78% | $36,004 | $29,333 |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,599 | 299 | 85% | — | $26,977 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,884 | 113 | 86% | — | $28,000 |
| 7 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,098 | 23 | 77% | $32,060 | $26,950 |
| 8 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,647 | 31 | 79% | $34,418 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Moravian University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,133 | 22 | 72% | $28,454 | — |
| 10 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $74,642 | 17 | 83% | $24,453 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Science degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 389 | $171,264 |
| 2 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 322 | $86,930 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 299 | $77,599 |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 287 | $124,678 |
| 5 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg Private not-for-profit | 184 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 180 | $88,587 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 113 | $72,884 |
| 8 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit | 64 | Not reported |
| 9 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public | 43 | Not reported |
| 10 | Dickinson College Carlisle Private not-for-profit | 35 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 45 Pennsylvania colleges offering Computer Science
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Abington | Abington | Public | 55 |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Public | 49 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 31 |
| Grove City College | Grove City | Private not-for-profit | 28 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | Public | 28 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Public | 27 |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | Public | 26 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Moravian University | Bethlehem | Private not-for-profit | 22 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Public | 21 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 19 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown | Public | 18 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 18 |
| Gettysburg College | Gettysburg | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Widener University | Chester | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Allegheny College | Meadville | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Saint Vincent College | Latrobe | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology | State College | Private for-profit | 11 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Gannon University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Central Penn College | Summerdale | Private for-profit | 8 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Brandywine | Media | Public | 8 |
| Seton Hill University | Greensburg | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Cairn University - Langhorne | Langhorne | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Westminster College | New Wilmington | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Keystone College | La Plume | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Marywood University | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Hazleton | Hazleton | Public | 5 |
| Valley Forge Military College | Wayne | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Eastern University | Saint Davids | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Gratz College | Jenkintown | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Haverford College | Haverford | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Beaver | Monaca | Public | 3 |
| Waynesburg University | Waynesburg | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Johnstown | Public | 2 |
| King's College | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Thiel College | Greenville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
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 Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+
Carnegie Mellon University (389 graduates a year), Drexel University (322 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (299 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 55 Pennsylvania colleges offer Computer Science.
What is the best college for Computer Science in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Carnegie Mellon University leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $171,264, College Scorecard. University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University follow. By degrees awarded, Carnegie Mellon University is the largest, with 389 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Science program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Carnegie Mellon University tops the list at $171,264. 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 Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Pennsylvania is $131,430 (median $130,300), across about 330 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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