Top Computer Science Programs in the West by Earnings (2026)
Updated
Regional list from Best Computer Science Programs in the United States
This page ranks 74 Computer Science programs in the West by median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. Pomona College leads with $217,051, followed by Stanford University at $214,907 and University of California-Berkeley at $204,379.
Across the listed schools, the median figure is $108,684, with a range from $217,051 to $57,318.
Public institutions make up 66% of the list, with 49 schools alongside 25 private nonprofits. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price at $3,967.
University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Note: some debt figures on this page reflect school-wide student debt, not debt for this major.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pomona College · Claremont, CA | $217,051 | $19,285 | $4,841 | 7.1% |
| Pomona College ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $217,051 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | $214,907 | $13,807 | -$2,536* | 3.6% |
| Stanford University reports median earnings of $214,907 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a median federal debt of $10,399 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $204,379 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
| University of California-Berkeley posts an average net price of $5,311 for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $204,379 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | California Institute of Technology · Pasadena, CA | $200,511 | $16,075 | -$2,133* | 2.6% |
| California Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $200,511 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and admits 3% of applicants. | |||||
| 5 | Harvey Mudd College · Claremont, CA | $198,257 | $35,924 | $27,979 | 12.7% |
| Harvey Mudd College reports median earnings of $198,257 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $192,897 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
| University of Southern California ranks 6th on this list, with 287 graduates in the earnings cohort and a median federal debt of $19,625 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 7 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle, WA | $175,616 | $14,091 | $6,384 | 39.2% |
| A public university in Seattle, University of Washington-Seattle Campus reports median earnings of $175,616 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $159,487 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
| University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports 591 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $154,784 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 31% of applicants and reports median earnings of $154,784 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $150,341 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
| University of San Francisco ranks 10th on this list, with a median federal debt of $20,250 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 11 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $149,847 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| A private nonprofit institution in San Diego, University of San Diego reports median earnings of $149,847 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $149,190 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
| University of California-Santa Barbara ranks 12th on this list, with 161 graduates in the earnings cohort and an admission rate of 33%. | |||||
| 13 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $147,511 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
| 13th on this list, University of the Pacific reports median earnings of $147,511 for Computer Science graduates four years after completing and median federal debt of $23,000 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 14 | Brigham Young University · Provo, UT | $142,800 | $15,564 | $10,444 | 67.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Provo, Brigham Young University ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $15,564. | |||||
| 15 | University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT | $137,329 | $16,200 | $13,123 | 86.0% |
| University of Utah admits 86% of applicants and shows median earnings of $137,329 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | Seattle Pacific University · Seattle, WA | $133,039 | $24,488 | $20,735 | 83.4% |
| Seattle Pacific University ranks 809th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Computer Science graduates four years after completing earn a median of $133,039. | |||||
| 17 | Seattle University · Seattle, WA | $128,314 | $34,662 | $22,896 | 76.9% |
| With an average net price of $22,896 for families earning under $30,000, Seattle University reports median earnings of $128,314 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $127,498 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico ranks 18th on this list, and its Computer Science graduates four years after completing carry a median federal debt of $20,000 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 19 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $127,404 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
| University of California-Irvine posts an admission rate of 29% and median earnings of $127,404 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, with 744 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 20 | Colorado School of Mines · Golden, CO | $127,217 | $28,690 | $16,849 | 60.7% |
| Colorado School of Mines reports an average net price of $28,690 and median earnings of $127,217 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | University of Portland · Portland, OR | $125,929 | $28,210 | $20,070 | 89.2% |
| University of Portland ranks 646th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Computer Science graduates four years after completing earn a median of $125,929. | |||||
| 22 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $123,422 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
| Median earnings of $123,422 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing coincide with a median federal debt of $16,499 among Computer Science completers who borrowed at University of California-Santa Cruz. | |||||
| 23 | University of Denver · Denver, CO | $121,993 | $36,131 | $20,097 | 77.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Denver, University of Denver ranks 23rd on this list and reports an average net price of $20,097 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 24 | University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO | $121,952 | $25,346 | $14,231 | 78.1% |
| University of Colorado Boulder admits 78% of applicants and posts median earnings of $121,952 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, with 473 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 25 | Gonzaga University · Spokane, WA | $121,512 | $35,119 | $20,833 | 81.7% |
| Gonzaga University reports median earnings of $121,512 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $27,000 among Computer Science completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 26 | Oregon State University · Corvallis, OR | $121,405 | $19,604 | $12,107 | 77.3% |
| With an average net price of $19,604, Oregon State University ranks 26th on this list and posts median earnings of $121,405 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 27 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $119,900 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| California State University-East Bay admits 97% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $119,900 four years after completing, drawn from a cohort of 193 graduates. | |||||
| 28 | Washington State University · Pullman, WA | $119,686 | $14,971 | $7,074 | 86.6% |
| Washington State University sits 28th on this list and reports an average net price of $7,074 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 29 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $117,705 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
| University of California-Riverside ranks 31st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $117,705 four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ | $117,451 | $16,674 | $13,353 | 86.1% |
| A median federal debt of $22,000 among Computer Science completers who borrowed accompanies median earnings of $117,451 for University of Arizona graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 31 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion · Tempe, AZ | $114,868 | $14,967 | $9,070 | 89.9% |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion admits 90% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates, numbering 582 in the earnings cohort, earn a median of $114,868 four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | Regis University · Denver, CO | $114,098 | $18,397 | $13,713 | 86.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Denver, Regis University reports an average net price of $13,713 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 33 | Portland State University · Portland, OR | $113,889 | $9,552 | $7,655 | 90.9% |
| Portland State University ranks 135th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $113,889 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $112,780 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
| Chapman University reports a median federal debt of $21,809 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $112,780 four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | Boise State University · Boise, ID | $112,120 | $21,610 | $18,165 | 87.2% |
| Boise State University ranks 35th on this list, with an average net price of $21,610 and median earnings of $112,120 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | Montana State University · Bozeman, MT | $111,728 | $22,499 | $17,797 | 82.1% |
| Montana State University admits 82% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $111,728 four years after completing, from a cohort of 100 graduates. | |||||
| 37 | Metropolitan State University of Denver · Denver, CO | $111,187 | $15,327 | $12,481 | 98.8% |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver admits 99% of applicants and reports median earnings of $111,187 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 38 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $106,181 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| Sonoma State University posts an average net price of $12,885 alongside median earnings of $106,181 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 39 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $105,166 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| San Francisco State University ranks 51st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $105,166 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 40 | Pacific University · Forest Grove, OR | $105,018 | $35,273 | $23,318 | 89.6% |
| A private nonprofit university in Forest Grove, Pacific University shows median earnings of $105,018 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a school-wide median federal debt of $23,223 across all borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 41 | University of Idaho · Moscow, ID | $103,530 | $14,831 | $11,270 | 75.5% |
| University of Idaho reports median federal debt of $25,500 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, with median earnings of $103,530 four years after completing. | |||||
| 42 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $103,494 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks 15th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $11,531. | |||||
| 43 | California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA | $101,787 | $13,663 | $9,970 | 97.4% |
| With an admission rate of 97%, California State University-Monterey Bay reports median earnings of $101,787 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 44 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $101,428 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| California State University-Long Beach admits 46% of applicants and posts an average net price of $10,440, while its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $101,428 four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $101,348 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| Median earnings of $101,348 four years after completing coincide with an average net price of $7,021 at California State University-Northridge. | |||||
| 46 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $100,887 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| California State University-Channel Islands shows median federal debt of $18,750 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $100,887 four years after completing. | |||||
| 47 | Willamette University · Salem, OR | $100,650 | $25,121 | $16,182 | 77.1% |
| A private nonprofit university in Salem, Willamette University reports median earnings of $100,650 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and a school-wide median federal debt of $21,500 across all borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 48 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $100,586 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University ranks 36th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $100,586 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 49 | University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY | $99,287 | $13,599 | $7,977 | 96.9% |
| University of Wyoming posts median earnings of $99,287 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $13,599. | |||||
| 50 | Northern Arizona University · Flagstaff, AZ | $99,067 | $14,158 | $9,709 | 89.6% |
| Northern Arizona University has a median federal debt of $26,500 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, and its graduates four years after completing earn a median of $99,067. | |||||
| 51 | University of Puget Sound · Tacoma, WA | $98,696 | $38,394 | $23,643 | 72.3% |
| A private nonprofit university in Tacoma, University of Puget Sound reports $98,696 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $97,827 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| California State University-San Marcos ranks 59th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $10,229. | |||||
| 53 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs, CO | $97,001 | $15,788 | $12,065 | 97.4% |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs reports median earnings of $97,001 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, with 71 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 54 | Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA | $95,368 | $18,476 | $11,846 | 90.6% |
| Central Washington University shows a median federal debt of $19,435 among Computer Science completers who borrowed and an admission rate of 91%. | |||||
| 55 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas · Las Vegas, NV | $94,475 | $10,359 | $8,526 | 96.2% |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas posts median earnings of $94,475 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $10,359. | |||||
| 56 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $92,519 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| California State University-Sacramento ranks 10th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $92,519 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | Idaho State University · Pocatello, ID | $88,888 | $12,193 | $10,593 | Not reported |
| Idaho State University shows a median federal debt of $21,850 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $88,888 four years after completing. | |||||
| 58 | Whitworth University · Spokane, WA | $87,897 | $26,534 | $16,788 | 89.8% |
| Whitworth University admits 90% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates four years after completing report median earnings of $87,897. | |||||
| 59 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $87,525 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| California State University-Los Angeles carries an average net price of $3,967 and reports median earnings of $87,525 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 60 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $87,460 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| With a median federal debt of $13,750 among Computer Science completers who borrowed, California State University-Fullerton ranks 6th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 61 | Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI | $85,936 | $29,657 | $25,758 | 85.9% |
| Hawaii Pacific University reports median earnings of $85,936 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 23. | |||||
| 62 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $80,432 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| California State University-Bakersfield carries an average net price of $5,652, and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $80,432 four years after completing. | |||||
| 63 | Saint Martin's University · Lacey, WA | $80,166 | $28,119 | $22,810 | 89.8% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Saint Martin's University left with a median of $22,500 in federal loans, while the school's Computer Science completers earn $80,166. | |||||
| 64 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $78,943 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
| Biola University admits 74% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates, numbering 15 in the earnings cohort, earn a median of $78,943 four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI | $77,502 | $15,664 | $10,675 | 86.6% |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa ranks 258th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $77,502 four years after completing. | |||||
| 66 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $77,030 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| Median federal debt among Computer Science completers who borrowed at California Lutheran University is $21,750, alongside median earnings of $77,030 four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $74,953 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| San Jose State University posts an average net price of $13,760 and an admission rate of 85%, with its Computer Science graduates earning a median of $74,953 four years after completing. | |||||
| 68 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $74,845 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino ranks 43rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $74,845 four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $74,620 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| An average net price of $8,483 for families earning under $30,000 is reported by California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, whose Computer Science graduates earn a median of $74,620 four years after completing. | |||||
| 70 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $71,601 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| Median federal debt among Computer Science completers who borrowed at California State University-Stanislaus is $12,655, while the school's average net price is $6,067. | |||||
| 71 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $71,490 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| California State University-Fresno reports median earnings of $71,490 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $7,000. | |||||
| 72 | Westminster University · Salt Lake City, UT | $69,338 | $27,094 | $22,972 | 66.6% |
| Westminster University, a private nonprofit university in Salt Lake City, reports median earnings of $69,338 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 73 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $59,603 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills, a public university in Carson, reports $59,603 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $8,615. | |||||
| 74 | University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI | $57,318 | $11,856 | $8,983 | 60.6% |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo admits 61% of applicants and its Computer Science graduates earned a median of $57,318 four years after completing, ranking 74th on this list. | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Computer Science graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the West appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 3 of the 74 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 74 schools with a published figure. Pomona College leads Stanford University by $2,144, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $159,733.
Related rankings
- Best Computer Science Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the West
- Best Computer Science Programs in the Midwest
- Best Computer Science Programs in the South
- Computer Science Colleges in the West for Social Mobility