Computer Science Schools and Programs in The United States

Computer Science Studies in The United States

Computer science studies how computation works and how to use it: algorithms, programming, data structures, computer systems, theory and, increasingly, artificial intelligence and data science. In the United States it is one of the most common majors in both engineering and arts and sciences colleges, and the degree leads to jobs in software development and, with graduate study, computing research.

How the degree is organised

US universities design their own programmes; there is no national list of degree titles. The usual levels are:

• Associate degree (two years) at a community college, often followed by transfer to a university
• Bachelor's degree (four years), usually a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science, sometimes a B.A.
• Master's degree (typically two years), with more specialisation
• PhD (five to eight years), a research degree

US credits reflect weekly class hours, not ECTS, and the academic year usually runs from August to May. Some universities offer a combined bachelor's and master's programme in which students start graduate courses in their fourth year. Computing departments increasingly split the field into several majors: the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, for example, offers majors in Computer Science, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, a combined B.S./M.S. programme and a minor for students of other subjects.

Accreditation works differently from Europe. Universities as a whole are accredited by regional or national agencies, and individual computing programmes can also seek accreditation from ABET, a voluntary, non-governmental review that applies to programmes, not to whole institutions. ABET stresses that its accreditation is not a ranking.

Admission, English and visa

For a bachelor's degree you need a secondary school diploma and, in general, must be at least 17. Each university evaluates foreign records itself and may ask for a report from a credential evaluation agency, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Admission to the university does not always mean admission to the computer science major. At the University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, students enter through three pathways (direct-to-major as first-year students, transfer, or as current UW students); the school admits around 630 new undergraduates a year and states that enrolling at the university is no guarantee of a place in its majors. Check each university's rules before you apply.

For the visa, you first need an admission from an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which issues the Form I-20 for an F student visa. According to EducationUSA, recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers depends on the institution's accreditation.

Costs and funding

Each institution sets its own tuition. State universities are generally larger and less expensive than private ones, and community colleges cover the first two years of a bachelor's degree at lower cost; if you plan to transfer, choose the target university early and check what it requires. International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year. Departments such as Purdue's computer science department also publish guidance on Curricular Practical Training for students who want work experience during the degree.

Where to study computer science in the United States

Computer science is offered in every state, at community colleges as well as research universities. Philadelphia and Baltimore have the most schools on this page (four each), followed by Los Angeles, Boston, Denver and New York (three each). Examples include public universities such as The Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, Purdue University and the University of Washington; private universities such as Stanford University, the University of Southern California, Northeastern University in Boston and Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia; technology-focused institutions such as the Colorado School of Mines and Worcester Polytechnic Institute; and community colleges such as the Community College of Rhode Island and Broward College in Florida.

Careers

Most graduates become software developers, who design computer applications or programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they typically need a bachelor's degree, although some employers prefer a master's degree. The largest employers are computer systems design firms, finance and insurance, software publishers and manufacturing. The median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025, and employment of developers, testers and quality assurance analysts is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 106,100 openings a year. Computer and information research scientists, who design new uses for computing technology, usually need at least a master's degree; their median wage was $140,300 in May 2025, with 22 percent projected growth over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a computer science degree take in the US?

A bachelor's degree takes four years and a master's degree typically two. Some universities offer a combined bachelor's and master's programme that saves time.

Am I guaranteed a place in the computer science major once I am admitted to a university?

Not everywhere. Some universities, such as the University of Washington, limit places in the major and admit students through separate pathways, so check the rules of each department.

What is ABET accreditation?

ABET is a non-governmental organisation that accredits individual programmes in computing, engineering and applied sciences. Accreditation is voluntary in the US.

Do I need a master's degree to work in computing?

For software development, a bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement. Research positions usually require at least a master's degree.