by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,033 U.S. colleges awarded 90,046 degrees and certificates in Computer Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 690 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $82,111 one year after completing, rising to $116,099 after four years.
If you've ever wanted to build a robot or create a computer you can have a conversation with, Computer Science might be the major for you.
Computer Science majors analyze the way computers and humans interact so they can build programs or systems that aid people in solving problems. Classes in calculus, data logic, information management, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and data structures and algorithms among others will give students the skills to help engineers solve complex math problems, design and test new operating systems, and improve computer user interfaces.
A major in Computer Science explores Computer Science.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, computer science draws strong interest, with 90,046 degrees awarded annually. 1,033 colleges award computer science degrees, an average of 87 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,684.
By level, the 90,046 awards include 93 certificates, 6,779 associate degrees, 53,220 bachelor’s degrees, 28,023 master’s degrees and 1,929 doctorates.
Women earned 25% of computer science degrees and certificates in the latest year (22,893 of 90,046). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (24,890) and Asian (17,772), and international students earned 27,584.
College Factual ranks 690 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Science Schools ranking, including 159 for associate degrees, 495 for bachelor’s degrees, 226 for master’s degrees and 54 for doctorates. It also ranks computer science schools within 52 states. In all, 1,033 colleges offer computer science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 53,220 of the 90,046 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer science call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Deductive Reasoning.
Computer scientists often have a background in mathematics and enjoy problem solving. You will be responsible for creating programs and computer systems that will assist humans with projects or complex computing problems. Successful computer scientists are able to work as part of a team, have strong critical-thinking and analytical skills, and have ingenuity and creativity.
Most computer scientists work full time with a typical 40-hour workweek. However, when conducting research, computer scientists are able to set their own hours, which may be more flexible. Internships and summer jobs within the field will be beneficial since employers are looking for employees with concrete skills.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a computer science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 93 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,779 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 53,220 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28,023 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,929 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer science, at 48.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.2% |
| Master’s degree | 13.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.4% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
26 occupations are related to Computer Science, with an average median salary of $109,511; the strongest outlook belongs to Software Developers, at 13.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Cloud Engineer, Systems Engineer, Engineer and Web Programmer.
There are multiple routes that Computer Science graduates may choose. Previous graduates have gone on to work for computer system development companies, software publishers, research and development companies, and the federal government. This major equips students with the skills to pursue any career that deals with interactions between humans and computers. Those who want a career in computer and information research will have to earn their Ph.D.
The occupation related to computer science with the most projected jobs is Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,328,652.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Information Security Analysts | 583,513 | 12.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Web Developers | 564,182 | 4.6% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
Computer Science graduates earn a median $82,111 one year after completing their program, $116,099 after four years and $119,701 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,111 |
| 4 years | $116,099 |
| 5 years | $119,701 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to computer science is Computer and Information Systems Managers, with a median salary of $175,079.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Web Developers | $125,527 |
Computer Science includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Computer Science (90,046). It has 10 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 288,169 degrees a year; the largest are Computer and Information Sciences, General (133,698), Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (72,883) and Information Science/Studies (23,384). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | 90,046 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 133,698 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 72,883 |
| Information Science/Studies | 23,384 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 16,765 |
| Computer Programming | 16,655 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 16,354 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 3,052 |
| Data Processing | 2,593 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 2,235 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications | 550 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
