Washington · Computer and Information Sciences

Best colleges for Computer and Information Sciences in Washington

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Western Washington University and Eastern Washington University are the top bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in Washington by graduate earnings. University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,385, College Scorecard. University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus and Central Washington University award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Washington: 963, 367 and 211 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Washington colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences and award 1,868 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
17
offering CIP 11.01
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,868
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$68,219
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
7
College Scorecard
Median net price
$35,049
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
50%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer and Information Research Scientists
$194,360
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 5 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
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree
$73,38596385%—$16,277
2Western Washington University
Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$68,21912365%—$19,333
3Eastern Washington University
Cheney Public · Bachelor's degree
$67,0046043%—$25,868
4Central Washington University
Ellensburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$56,04921154%—$24,408
5Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,0461132%——

Colleges awarding the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Washington

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.

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. * Campuses that share a federal aid ID report one College Scorecard figure.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public
963$73,385*
2University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma Public
367$73,385*
3Central Washington University
Ellensburg Public
211$56,049
4Western Washington University
Bellingham Public
123$68,219
5Eastern Washington University
Cheney Public
60$67,004
6University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell Public
46$73,385*
7Columbia Basin College
Pasco Public
17Not reported
8Centralia College
Centralia Public
11Not reported
9Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane Public
11$34,046
10Renton Technical College
Renton Public
9Not reported
Show the other 7 Washington colleges offering Computer and Information Sciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
City University of Seattle (Online)SeattlePrivate not-for-profit18
Olympic CollegeBremertonPublic8
Saint Martin's UniversityLaceyPrivate not-for-profit7
Washington State UniversityPullmanPublic6
The Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaPublic5
DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmondPrivate for-profit5
Highline CollegeDes MoinesPublic1

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 Washington

Jobs in Washington
2,050
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$194,360
median $202,400
Best-paying metro
$203,260
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Related careers

Software Developers
$171,040 avg · 107,030 jobs
Computer Systems Analysts
$131,270 avg · 24,120 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$222,510 avg · 16,960 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$129,500 avg · 14,360 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$134,700 avg · 11,580 jobs
Data Scientists
$158,040 avg · 9,600 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer and Information Sciences programs in Washington.

Which Washington colleges award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees?+

University of Washington-Seattle Campus (963 graduates a year), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (367 graduates a year) and Central Washington University (211 graduates a year) award the most Computer and Information Sciences degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Washington colleges offer Computer and Information Sciences.

What is the best college for Computer and Information Sciences in Washington?+

By graduate earnings, University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads among bachelor's Computer and Information Sciences programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,385, College Scorecard. Western Washington University and Eastern Washington University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the largest, with 963 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Computer and Information Sciences program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $73,385. 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 Washington?+

The average annual wage for Computer and Information Research Scientists in Washington is $194,360 (median $202,400), across about 2,050 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer and Information Sciences program?+

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…

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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