Best colleges for Computer and Information Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Computer and Information Sciences by graduate earnings are University of Pennsylvania ($146,204), Yale University ($133,293) and Rice University ($131,154), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $146,204, 1,061 graduates a year
- Yale University (New Haven, CT): $133,293, 259 graduates a year
- Rice University (Houston, TX): $131,154, 367 graduates a year
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): $115,587, 2,151 graduates a year
- Northeastern University Professional Programs (Boston, MA): $115,587, 171 graduates a year
Compare 1,432 U.S. colleges offering Computer and Information Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 56 states.
Computer and Information Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,844 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 11.01 and the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Computer and Information Sciences programs
The Computer and Information Sciences program focuses on the intersection of computing and informatics, treating computers as essential tools for problem-solving and innovation. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the theoretical and practical aspects of computer technology and its applications across various fields.
Students will develop critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening. Coursework typically covers knowledge in computers and electronics, engineering, and technology, preparing graduates to design software and analyze complex problems.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $146,204 | 1,061 | 97% | $22,055 | $15,000 |
| 2 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $133,293 | 259 | 96% | $27,025 | $12,750 |
| 3 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $131,154 | 367 | 95% | $13,264 | $12,381 |
| 4 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $115,587 | 2,151 | 91% | $18,925 | $23,001 |
| 5 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $115,587 | 171 | — | — | $23,001 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $113,634 | 1,420 | 93% | — | $20,000 |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $113,503 | 278 | 85% | — | $19,399 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $111,587 | 1,460 | 89% | — | $20,500 |
| 9 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $109,514 | 601 | 94% | $11,888 | $12,750 |
| 10 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $105,137 | 4,784 | 94% | — | $21,125 |
| 11 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,686 | 52 | 92% | $18,174 | — |
| 12 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,650 | 543 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,500 |
| 13 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,644 | 55 | 92% | $19,292 | $13,350 |
| 14 | Spelman College Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $98,692 | 27 | 78% | $35,132 | — |
| 15 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $98,067 | 687 | 96% | — | $17,783 |
| 16 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $96,517 | 139 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 17 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $96,432 | 991 | 86% | — | $20,500 |
| 18 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $90,651 | 1,025 | 91% | — | $16,000 |
| 19 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $89,498 | 117 | 55% | — | $22,919 |
| 20 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,030 | 1,112 | 93% | — | $13,550 |
| 21 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $87,608 | 1,469 | 88% | $29,023 | $19,734 |
| 22 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,192 | 547 | 81% | — | $24,022 |
| 23 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,172 | 67 | 84% | $28,900 | $27,000 |
| 24 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,539 | 39 | 86% | — | $24,125 |
| 25 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,343 | 147 | 86% | — | $14,282 |
Specializations within Computer and Information Sciences
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 11.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.010173,454 graduates / yr879 institutions53 states
- Information TechnologyCIP 11.010348,440 graduates / yr671 institutions54 states
- InformaticsCIP 11.01043,531 graduates / yr71 institutions27 states
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.01992,981 graduates / yr80 institutions33 states
- Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.01022,576 graduates / yr122 institutions38 states
- Human-Centered Technology DesignCIP 11.0105New in CIP 2020998 graduates / yr33 institutions20 states
Offered across 56 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1221, Computer and Information Research Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer and Information Sciences program can expect a favorable job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 19.7% and approximately 3,200 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $140,910, with a typical education requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Computer and Information Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 11.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 11.01 (Computer and Information Sciences, General) maps to 14 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3021 | Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| 15-1211 | Computer Systems Analysts |
| 15-1212 | Information Security Analysts |
| 15-1221 | Computer and Information Research Scientistsprimary |
| 15-1241 | Computer Network Architects |
| 15-1242 | Database Administrators |
| 15-1243 | Database Architects |
| 15-1244 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
| 15-1252 | Software Developers |
| 15-1253 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 15-1299 | Computer Occupations, All Other |
| 15-2051 | Data Scientists |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Computer and Information Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Informatics, Human-Centered Technology Design, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and problem-solving.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 19.7%.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a master's degree.
How much do Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn?+
Computer and Information Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $58,844, College Scorecard (2019); the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation pays about $153,930 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Computer and Information Sciences?+
Computer and Information Sciences maps to CIP 11.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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