What Are The Top Computer Science Schools In The U.S.?

Many top level universities throughout the country have excellent Computer Science programs. However, there are a few that have developed world renowned programs that create advantages for graduates seeking employment. These are the 10 best computer science colleges. The admission standards are very high and the names rank amongst the most recognized in the business world. Each school has the highest levels of accreditation and the professors rank as the most respected in the industry.

The following rankings were provided by U.S. News.

10. University of Wisconsin – Madison

University of Wisconsin is located in Madison. This highly acclaimed research university has one of the most innovative undergraduate programs in the country. The Computer Science curriculum is offered in the School of Business and administered by the Department of Operations and Information Management. The department provides a diverse curriculum designed to help develop IT management and leadership skills.

The programs focuses on three primary disciplines; E-Business Management, IT Infrastructure Operations & Management and Information Systems Analysis & Design and offers BS and MBA degrees in many related areas. Estimated Annual Tuition: $10,500 residents, $26,700 non-residents

9. Georgia Institute of Technology

GIT is a public university located in Atlanta and was founded in 1885. The school offers a unique approach to designing a Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science for students. The program offers eight different “threads” that lead to various disciples. Each student is required to choose two threads which will be used to create their own area of study. The threads offer enough flexibility to assure that each students gets exposure to a wide variety of topics.

The school also offers Master’s programs in several specific disciplines. The College of Computing is accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Estimated Annual Tuition: $23,384 residents, $42,688 non-residents

8. Princeton University

Princeton University is a private university located in Princeton, New Jersey and was founded in 1746 making it the fourth oldest university in the country. The Department of Computer Science offers a Bachelor Of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Engineering at the undergraduate level as well as Master’s and PhD degrees for graduate students. Every student within the university is required to write a senior thesis in order to graduate. The B.S.E. program requires each student to take 36 courses with many of them targeted towards Mathematics and Information Technology.

Princeton has a reputation as one of the best higher learning institutions in the world and graduates are amongst the most sought after properties in the world. Estimated Annual Tuition: $41,820

7. University of Washington

University of Washington is a public school located in Seattle and was founded in 1861. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers two Bachelor of Science options, the BS with emphasis on Computer Science and the BS in Computer Engineering. Approximately 30% of Computer Science students are admitted into the department straight out of college. The remaining students must compete for admission through merit. To gain regular admission, students must complete a variety of core subjects.

Once admitted into the department, students are required to complete 87-90 credits worth of core subjects. The department also offers Master’s programs for graduate students in several specific disciplines. Estimated Annual Tuition: $15,303 residents, $27,552 non-resident

6. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867. The Computer Science curriculum can be found under The School of Business. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Information Technology and a Master of Science in Technology Management.

Aside from core School of Business requirements, IT students are required to complete 27 units in their concentration area. Most of these courses relate to the design and implementation of information systems as a support to the overall needs of business organizations. Estimated Annual Tuition: $11,834 residents, $26,212 non-residents

5. Cornell University

Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York and was founded in 1865. The Department of Computer Science is affiliated with both the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering. In order to assure each student receives well-rounded exposure to several areas, CS majors are required to take 8-10 courses that are outside their field plus core courses required by the university.

The department also requires each student to choose a specialization and take a three course curriculum within that specialty. The department offers Bachelor Of Science degrees within several disciplines such as robotics, artificial intelligence and data bases. For qualified students, they also offer several Master’s opportunities. Estimated Annual Tuition: $30,910 residents, $47,050 non-residents

4. University of California-Berkeley

Cal Berkeley was founded in 1868. The Computer Science department is affiliated with the School of Engineering and offers B.S. degrees related to specific topics such as computer architecture, artificial intelligence and computer graphics. The curriculum was designed to meet the ever changing needs within the business community. There is also a B.A. degree in Computer Science that differs only in the other coursework required. The basic requirement for a Computer Science degree is 16 units directly related to a specific discipline.

The Master of Engineering degree delves into areas of concentration such as robotics, integrated circuits and signal processing. Estimated Annual Tuition: $12,864 residents, $35,742 non-residents

3. Stanford University

Stanford University is located in Palo Alto, California and was founded in 1891. The Computer Science department is part of the School of Engineering. In order to help students choose specific areas of study within the department, they have implemented a “track” system. Before a students chooses a track, they are permitted to take a related “gateway” course to help determine their interests in that discipline. There are currently nine available tracks.

The school offers both Bachelor of Science degrees and Master’s programs based on several different areas of concentration. Overall, Stanford in considered one of the top three schools in the nation in both popularity and academics. Estimated Annual Tuition: $42,000

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was founded in 1861. This private school is famous throughout the world for its research and innovation. The Engineering and Computer Science are the most popular and innovative courses in the school and the school stresses a hands on laboratory approach to teaching.

There are four Bachelor of Science degrees offered in the following disciplines; Electrical Science and Engineering, Electrical Eng. & Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Molecular Biology. They also offer a post graduate degree, MEng Degree Program in Computer Science – Molecular Biology. It is interesting to note that the beginning salary for an MIT grad is $90,000 per year. Estimated Annual Tuition: $43,210

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1900. The Computer Science programs are affiliated with the School of Engineering. The primary undergrad program offers a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. They also offer the Masters of Science and Ph.D within several disciplines. The Information Networking Institute offers five different advanced Computer Science degree programs.

The university has a location in the middle east, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, as well as several satellite campuses throughout the United States. Estimated Annual Tuition: $48,000