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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | Princeton, NJ | $146,624 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,518 | 4.5% | 97.1% |
| #22 | Los Angeles, CA | $142,282 Median Computer Science Earnings | $15,470 | 10.0% | 92.0% | |
| #23 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | Baltimore, MD | $140,666 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,473 | 7.6% | 94.6% |
| #24 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | Medford, MA | $139,886 Median Computer Science Earnings | $10,526 | 10.1% | 93.3% |
| #25 | Champaign, IL | $138,600 Median Computer Science Earnings | $3,883 | 43.7% | 84.9% | |
| #26 | Charlottesville, VA | $136,620 Median Computer Science Earnings | $10,123 | 16.9% | 95.3% | |
| #27 | University Of RochesterPrivate | Rochester, NY | $136,559 Median Computer Science Earnings | $13,743 | 35.9% | 84.5% |
| #28 | San Jose, CA | $136,471 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,743 | 80.2% | 64.6% | |
| #29 | Emory UniversityPrivate | Atlanta, GA | $133,212 Median Computer Science Earnings | $6,895 | 11.1% | 91.8% |
| #30 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | Wellesley, MA | $132,277 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,695 | 13.9% | 91.2% |
| #31 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $132,227 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,900 | 5.7% | 90.4% |
| #32 | La Jolla, CA | $131,731 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,487 | 24.5% | 87.6% | |
| #33 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $129,473 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #34 | Bowdoin CollegePrivate | Brunswick, ME | $128,937 Median Computer Science Earnings | $3,275 | 8.0% | 95.6% |
| #35 | Pomona CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $128,737 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,638 | 6.8% | 93.2% |
| #36 | Atlanta, GA | $127,253 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,491 | 16.5% | 92.3% | |
| #37 | Ann Arbor, MI | $127,039 Median Computer Science Earnings | $4,926 | 17.9% | 93.2% | |
| #38 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $126,103 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,340 | 13.1% | 94.3% |
| #39 | Troy, NY | $125,809 Median Computer Science Earnings | $21,009 | 58.5% | 83.2% | |
| #40 | New York UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $122,242 Median Computer Science Earnings | $16,816 | 9.4% | 88.5% |