Best institutions to study Computer and Information Sciences
A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems.
879 U.S. institutions graduated 73,454 Computer and Information Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0101, a specialization of Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01), and leads most directly to the Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 15-1221).
About Computer and Information Sciences programs
A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer and Information Sciences program provides a comprehensive foundation in computing, computer science, and information science and systems. This general program is designed for students interested in exploring various aspects of technology and its applications without being confined to a specific title or content area. It is ideal for those seeking a versatile education in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Students in this program develop critical skills in problem analysis, technology application, and innovation. Core coursework typically covers essential topics such as computers and electronics, mathematics, and design, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to tackle complex challenges in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Computer and Information Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree32,340 graduates / yr · 521 institutions44%
- Master's degree22,029 graduates / yr · 178 institutions30%
- Associate's degree7,287 graduates / yr · 274 institutions9.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year6,991 graduates / yr · 184 institutions9.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2,023 graduates / yr · 29 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,125 graduates / yr · 62 institutions1.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1,006 graduates / yr · 70 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate558 graduates / yr · 29 institutions0.8%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years79 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Computer and Information Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 23,757 |
| 2013 | 25,242 |
| 2014 | 28,687 |
| 2015 | 32,527 |
| 2016 | 38,107 |
| 2017 | 42,484 |
| 2018 | 45,927 |
| 2019 | 45,875 |
| 2020 | 48,248 |
| 2021 | 50,937 |
| 2022 | 51,575 |
| 2023 | 61,655 |
| 2024 | 67,029 |
| 2025 | 73,454 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer and Information Sciences, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 4,677 | 94% | — | $105,137 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 2,040 | 91% | $18,925 | $115,587 |
| 3 | University of the People Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,826 | 34% | — | — |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 1,688 | 43% | $34,565 | $61,322 |
| 5 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 1,569 | 61% | — | $70,235 |
| 6 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 1,414 | 93% | — | $113,634 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 1,376 | 76% | — | $72,472 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 1,339 | 89% | — | $111,587 |
| 9 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 1,224 | 88% | $29,023 | $87,608 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 1,194 | 90% | — | $80,566 |
| 11 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,062 | 80% | $24,886 | $64,436 |
| 12 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 1,020 | 91% | — | $90,651 |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 990 | 86% | — | $96,432 |
| 14 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 983 | 84% | — | $80,448 |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 957 | 97% | $22,055 | $146,204 |
| 16 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 913 | 35% | — | $41,543 |
| 17 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 844 | 74% | — | $62,562 |
| 18 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 835 | 68% | — | $78,800 |
| 19 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 812 | 78% | — | $68,793 |
| 20 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 795 | 73% | — | $68,183 |
| 21 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 768 | 54% | — | — |
| 22 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 711 | 63% | — | $58,379 |
| 23 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 687 | 96% | — | $98,067 |
| 24 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 643 | 29% | — | $57,428 |
| 25 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 600 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 26 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 599 | 65% | — | $72,381 |
| 27 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 564 | 49% | — | $26,671 |
| 28 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 547 | 81% | — | $86,192 |
| 29 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 524 | 94% | $11,888 | $109,514 |
| 30 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 505 | 69% | — | $82,521 |
| 31 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 503 | 73% | $42,705 | $58,214 |
| 32 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 474 | 43% | — | $37,019 |
| 33 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 457 | 40% | — | $36,178 |
| 34 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 448 | 53% | — | $65,439 |
| 35 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 448 | 29% | — | $48,719 |
| 36 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 447 | 41% | — | $36,258 |
| 37 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 443 | 75% | — | — |
| 38 | Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 429 | 59% | — | $45,428 |
| 39 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 423 | 58% | — | $28,568 |
| 40 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 419 | 86% | — | $61,376 |
| 41 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 417 | 53% | — | $72,804 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 407 | 86% | — | $84,050 |
| 43 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 393 | 87% | — | $73,374 |
| 44 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 386 | 59% | — | — |
| 45 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 380 | 58% | — | $58,964 |
| 46 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 368 | 27% | — | $40,288 |
| 47 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 367 | 95% | $13,264 | $131,154 |
| 48 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 351 | 21% | — | $39,224 |
| 49 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 343 | 67% | — | $78,856 |
| 50 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 343 | 42% | — | $69,071 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer and Information Sciences field (CIP 11.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 53 states & territories
Where Computer and Information Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer and Information Sciences programs offered there.
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 pursue various careers, including roles as Computer and Information Research Scientists and Computer Systems Analysts. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 19.7%, an annual opening of 3,200 positions, and a median wage of $140,910, often requiring a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer and Information Research Scientistsprimary SOC 15-1221 | $140,300 | +19.7% Much faster than average | ~3,200 | Master's degree |
Computer and Information Systems Managers SOC 11-3021 | $175,140 | +15.2% Much faster than average | ~55,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Systems Analysts SOC 15-1211 | $105,850 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~34,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Occupations, All Other SOC 15-1299 | $116,580 | +8.2% Much faster than average | ~31,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Network and Computer Systems Administrators SOC 15-1244 | $99,130 | -4.2% Decline | ~14,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Network Architects SOC 15-1241 | $134,050 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~11,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Web and Digital Interface Designers SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Database Architects SOC 15-1243 | $139,500 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~4,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Database Administrators SOC 15-1242 | $104,620 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~3,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1021 | $96,980 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~3,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Computer and Information Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer and Information Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01).
- Information TechnologyCIP 11.010348,440 graduates / yr671 institutions
- InformaticsCIP 11.01043,531 graduates / yr71 institutions
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.01992,981 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.01022,576 graduates / yr122 institutions
- Human-Centered Technology DesignCIP 11.0105998 graduates / yr33 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and problem-solving.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Computer and Information Research Scientist, Systems Analyst, or in other computer-related occupations.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 19.7% and 3,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Computer and Information Sciences?+
Computer and Information Sciences is CIP 11.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.
How many institutions offer Computer and Information Sciences programs?+
879 U.S. institutions reported Computer and Information Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 53 states & territories, awarding 73,454 credentials in the year. That is 55.7% of all Computer and Information Sciences graduates.
How much do Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer and Information Research Scientists occupation, which Computer and Information Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $140,300 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer and Information Sciences field report median earnings of $60,639 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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