Compare 77 Computer Science. programs in the West. Average earnings: $98,623.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Computer Science tells a different story. Across 77 programs, earnings range from $110K to $201K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Stanford's Computer Science program leads with graduates earning $201K, well above the $99K regional average. But the real story is how public programs compete: UC Berkeley delivers $179K outcomes with 845 graduates annually, proving scale doesn't compromise quality in strong programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Stanford graduates borrow $12K and face just a 0.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, Brigham Young leads with a 3.3% family burden, showing the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $200,950 | 307 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Excellent |
| #2 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | $183,524 | 47 | $25,000 | Excellent | $33,386 | Excellent |
| #3 | $178,867 | 845 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #4 | $173,344 | 72 | — | — | — | — | |
| #5 | $144,297 | 378 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $143,152 | 247 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Excellent | |
| #7 | $136,471 | 163 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Excellent | |
| #8 | $131,731 | 435 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Excellent | |
| #9 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $129,473 | 66 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Excellent |
| #10 | Pomona CollegePrivate | $128,737 | 34 | $11,782 | Excellent | $27,861 | Excellent |
| #11 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $121,602 | 66 | $23,000 | Excellent | $44,413 | Good |
| #12 | $118,830 | 145 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Excellent | |
| #13 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $117,447 | 58 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Good |
| #14 | University Of PortlandPrivate | $116,906 | 29 | $21,370 | Excellent | $57,555 | Manageable |
| #15 | Montana State UniversityPublic | $116,065 | 92 | $22,500 | Excellent | $25,000 | Excellent |
| #16 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $114,046 | 181 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #17 | $111,141 | 191 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #18 | $111,041 | 805 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Excellent | |
| #19 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $110,684 | 125 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Manageable |
| #20 | $109,690 | 179 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,859 | Excellent | |
| #21 | $108,095 | 61 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Excellent | |
| #22 | $107,813 | 160 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Excellent | |
| #23 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $104,948 | 37 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Manageable |
| #24 | $104,284 | 446 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $103,986 | 45 | $13,969 | Excellent | $7,556 | Excellent |
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 →
