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 | St. Louis, MO | $177,066 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,716 | 12.1% | 94.3% | |
| #22 | Champaign, IL | $173,044 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,038 | 42.4% | 85.1% | |
| #23 | Ann Arbor, MI | $167,249 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,043 | 15.6% | 93.2% | |
| #24 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $163,708 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,264 | 5.2% | 90.5% |
| #25 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | Hamilton, NY | $161,980 Median Computer Science Earnings | $6,086 | 13.9% | 91.2% |
| #26 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $160,021 Median Computer Science Earnings | $3,414 | 5.9% | 93.5% |
| #27 | Emory UniversityPrivate | Atlanta, GA | $159,541 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,363 | 10.7% | 91.1% |
| #28 | La Jolla, CA | $159,487 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,525 | 26.7% | 86.1% | |
| #29 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $158,847 Median Computer Science Earnings | $1,764 | 7.7% | 95.1% |
| #30 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | Medford, MA | $156,343 Median Computer Science Earnings | $11,284 | 11.5% | 93.5% |
| #31 | University Of RochesterPrivate | Rochester, NY | $155,464 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,678 | 40.1% | 85.4% |
| #32 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | Wellesley, MA | $155,381 Median Computer Science Earnings | $2,546 | 14.1% | 91.5% |
| #33 | Austin, TX | $155,168 Median Computer Science Earnings | $12,553 | 26.6% | 88.9% | |
| #34 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $154,784 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,529 | 31.3% | 86.4% | |
| #35 | Berkeley, CA | $153,069 Median Computer Science Earnings | $5,311 | 11.0% | 92.8% | |
| #36 | Swarthmore CollegePrivate | Swarthmore, PA | $150,942 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,690 | 7.5% | 92.3% |
| #37 | Atlanta, GA | $150,628 Median Computer Science Earnings | $7,666 | 14.1% | 94.0% | |
| #38 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $150,341 Median Computer Science Earnings | $31,537 | 61.7% | 70.1% |
| #39 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $149,847 Median Computer Science Earnings | $15,586 | 52.4% | 83.7% |
| #40 | Santa Barbara, CA | $149,190 Median Computer Science Earnings | $9,231 | 33.0% | 83.0% |
