Rhode Island · Computer Science

Best colleges for Computer Science in Rhode Island

Ranked by graduate earnings

Brown University, Providence College and Rhode Island College are the top bachelor's Computer Science programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Brown University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $151,065, College Scorecard. Brown University, Providence College and Rhode Island College award the most Computer Science degrees in Rhode Island: 436, 32 and 31 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Computer Science and award 533 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…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 11.07
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
533
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$69,195
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$31,634
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer and Information Research Scientists
$127,470
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Brown University
Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$151,06543696%$14,644$11,500
2Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$69,1953286%$32,048—
3Rhode Island College
Providence Public · Bachelor's degree
$60,3613148%—$25,000

Colleges awarding the most Computer Science degrees in Rhode Island

Top 6 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Brown University
Providence Private not-for-profit
436$151,065
2Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit
32$69,195
3Rhode Island College
Providence Public
31$60,361
4Roger Williams University
Bristol Private not-for-profit
15Not reported
5Johnson & Wales University - Providence
Providence Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
6University of Rhode Island
Kingston Public
3Not reported
Show the other 1 Rhode Island colleges offering Computer Science
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Johnson & Wales University - Online (Online)ProvidencePrivate not-for-profit9

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer and Information Research Scientists (SOC 15-1221).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+19.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$140,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningMathematics

What Computer and Information Research Scientists earn in Rhode Island

Jobs in Rhode Island
500
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$127,470
median $121,470
Best-paying metro
$128,300
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA

Related careers

Software Developers
$129,080 avg · 5,070 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$174,020 avg · 1,210 jobs
Data Scientists
$111,260 avg · 1,160 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$104,090 avg · 830 jobs
Information Security Analysts
$121,640 avg · 710 jobs
Computer Network Support Specialists
$90,850 avg · 620 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Science programs in Rhode Island.

Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Computer Science degrees?+

Brown University (436 graduates a year), Providence College (32 graduates a year) and Rhode Island College (31 graduates a year) award the most Computer Science degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Computer Science.

What is the best college for Computer Science in Rhode Island?+

By graduate earnings, Brown University leads among bachelor's Computer Science programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $151,065, College Scorecard. Providence College and Rhode Island College follow. By degrees awarded, Brown University is the largest, with 436 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Computer Science program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Brown University tops the list at $151,065. 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 Rhode Island?+

The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Rhode Island is $127,470 (median $121,470), across about 500 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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