Compare 22 Computer Science. programs in New York. Average earnings: $101,894.
The highest-earning Computer Science program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $119K earnings gap across 22 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Cornell University's Computer Science program leads with graduates earning $185,679, well above the state average of $101,894. Columbia follows at $160,457, while University of Rochester reaches $136,559—demonstrating that program quality varies even among elite institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 1.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $185,679 | 396 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Excellent |
| #2 | $160,457 | 341 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Excellent | |
| #3 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $136,559 | 120 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Excellent |
| #4 | $129,412 | 255 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Good | |
| #5 | $125,429 | 188 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Good | |
| #6 | Ithaca CollegePrivate | $115,841 | 23 | $24,000 | Excellent | $53,476 | Manageable |
| #7 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $114,997 | 90 | $18,500 | Excellent | $27,270 | Excellent |
| #8 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $106,141 | 117 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Excellent |
| #9 | Clarkson UniversityPrivate | $104,005 | 28 | $26,000 | Excellent | $36,890 | Good |
| #10 | Marist CollegePrivate | $102,815 | 56 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | Manageable |
| #11 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $97,630 | 272 | $10,298 | Excellent | $17,680 | Excellent |
| #12 | Suny College At PotsdamPublic | $96,379 | 12 | $24,250 | Excellent | $19,000 | Good |
| #13 | University At BuffaloPublic | $95,015 | 245 | $19,000 | Excellent | $20,734 | Good |
| #14 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $89,286 | 41 | $23,621 | Excellent | $56,149 | Challenging |
| #15 | $88,544 | 69 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Excellent | |
| #16 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $85,603 | 102 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Excellent |
| #17 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | $82,796 | 81 | $10,950 | Excellent | $11,955 | Excellent |
| #18 | Canisius UniversityPrivate | $77,923 | 12 | $24,250 | Excellent | $23,720 | Manageable |
| #19 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $69,272 | 56 | $23,250 | Excellent | $46,275 | Challenging |
| #20 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $66,171 | 53 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | High |
| #21 | Touro UniversityPrivate | $61,001 | 34 | $15,547 | Excellent | $23,400 | Manageable |
| #22 | Cuny York CollegePublic | $50,719 | 51 | $11,000 | Excellent | $11,018 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
