Computer science is an exciting and multifaceted field that opens doors to innovation and a wide range of career opportunities. For students who thrive on solving complex problems, pursuing a computer science degree can lead to impactful roles in fields like cybersecurity, virtual reality, and machine learning. Beyond research, this major also offers pathways into industries such as healthcare, transportation, and entertainment. Selecting the right college is a crucial step in shaping this journey. We aim to provide valuable insights into programs that excel in academic rigor, hands-on experiences, and career preparation.
In this blog, we’ll reference the U.S. News & World Report Rankings to highlight the top 10 colleges for computer science, helping students and families make informed decisions about where to begin this exciting academic adventure..
U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10 Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs Rankings
In the spring and summer of 2024, U.S. News surveyed deans and senior faculty from 584 undergraduate computer science programs. The rankings for computer science programs are based on evaluations from academics and professionals who are familiar with the quality of undergraduate programs. These experts rate programs on a 1-5 scale, and a school’s ranking is determined by the average score it receives.
To be included in the rankings, a program must either have ABET accreditation or have awarded at least 20 bachelor’s degrees in computer science recently. This ensures that only programs with proven quality and strong academic credentials are featured.
10. The University of Texas--Austin (tie)
Austin, TX
10. University of Michigan--Ann Arbor (tie)
Ann Arbor, MI
10. California Institute of Technology (tie)
Pasadena, CA
7. University of Washington (tie)
Seattle, WA
7. Georgia Institute of Technology (tie)
Atlanta, GA
7. Cornell University (tie)
Ithaca, NY
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (tie)
Princeton, NJ
5. Princeton University (tie)
Princeton, NJ
2. University of California, Berkeley (tie)
Berkeley, CA
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tie)
Cambridge, MA
2. Carnegie Mellon University (tie)
Pittsburgh, PA
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA