Computer Science programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $19,370 to $256,539, demonstrating the dramatic impact of program selection on tech careers. Across 541 programs, CS degree holders earn a median of $83,184—significantly above the national average of $62,960, reflecting strong demand for software development and technical expertise.
Leading the list is Harvard University, achieving the highest program earnings of $256,539, followed closely by Brown University at $218,525 and Carnegie Mellon University at $215,796. These top-performing programs demonstrate exceptional graduate outcomes that justify their positioning, with median earnings often exceeding national benchmarks by substantial margins.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $245,393 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,097 | 11.7% | 94.1% |
| #2 | Cambridge, MA | $225,141 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$2,533 | 4.5% | 96.4% | |
| #3 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | Princeton, NJ | $217,973 Median Computer Science Earnings | $41 | 4.6% | 97.6% |
| #4 | Pomona CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $217,051 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,841 | 7.1% | 93.2% |
| #5 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | Stanford, CA | $214,907 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$2,536 | 3.6% | 91.9% |
| #6 | Brown UniversityPrivate | Providence, RI | $214,479 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$420 | 5.4% | 95.7% |
| #7 | Williams CollegePrivate | Williamstown, MA | $209,574 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$2,610 | 8.3% | 93.6% |
| #8 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | Cambridge, MA | $203,169 Median Computer Science Earnings | $8,697 | 3.6% | 97.6% |
| #9 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | Hanover, NH | $201,702 Median Computer Science Earnings | $41 | 5.4% | 95.5% |
| #10 | Pasadena, CA | $200,511 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$2,133 | 2.6% | 94.4% | |
| #11 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | Ithaca, NY | $199,328 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,776 | 8.8% | 95.4% |
| #12 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $198,257 Median Computer Science Earnings | $27,979 | 12.7% | 91.9% |
| #13 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | Baltimore, MD | $196,467 Median Computer Science Earnings | $428 | 6.4% | 93.8% |
| #14 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $196,242 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$3,012 | 5.4% | 96.5% |
| #15 | Duke UniversityPrivate | Durham, NC | $195,809 Median Computer Science Earnings | $735 | 5.7% | 96.8% |
| #16 | New York, NY | $188,265 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,570 | 4.0% | 96.1% | |
| #17 | Yale UniversityPrivate | New Haven, CT | $188,157 Median Computer Science Earnings | $17,633 | 3.9% | 95.7% |
| #18 | Los Angeles, CA | $185,167 Median Computer Science Earnings | $13,516 | 9.8% | 91.8% | |
| #19 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $182,443 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,827 | 8.0% | 94.6% |
| #20 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $178,068 Median Computer Science Earnings | -$1,264 | 4.5% | 95.9% |
