Top US Colleges For Software Engineers/Computer Science Degree

The Age of Information. That is what the 21st century is known as due to the advancements in fields like communication, video game software, apps, applications, biotechnology, and a plethora of fields. Most of these fields have something in common: programming. From the day-to-day use of technologies such as phones to equipment such as MRI scanners used in hospitals, all utilize the knowledge of computer engineering and computer science. Given this fact, graduates with computer science and engineering majors are in high demand, with a projected growth in this field to be 23%. 

Even though the ranking of the university does not necessarily matter for getting a job in the technology field, there are certain top colleges that almost guarantee high-paying jobs. This blog is here to showcase these top universities in software engineering and computer science.

What is Computer Science?

Software engineers and computer scientists focus more on the theoretical aspect of technology. This could include, but is not limited to, learning how to code and implement algorithms to maintain applications, utilize mathematical concepts for data structures, and solve many other tasks mainly by coding.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary and job outlook for software engineers is as follows:

• Median Wage: $132,000 per year
• Range: $77,000 (lowest 10%) - $208,000 (highest 10%)
• Minimum Degree: Bachelor’s degree
• Job Outlook: About 25% increase (153,000 new openings)

Top 10 Computer Science Colleges

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

It comes as no surprise that MIT is at the top of the list as having the best computer science program in the United States and one of the best in the world. Being extremely research-friendly, MIT students have a variety of opportunities to develop their understanding of computer science. Since the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), more and more research is being funded by MIT to allow CS students to continue exploring the field. With the emphasis on undergraduate and graduate hands-on learning curriculum and through a multitude of opportunities, many MIT graduates are trained to excel in the real-world workforce for top companies that mainly recruit from MIT. Not to mention, the alumni network of MIT makes it easy for MIT students to find a high-paying job in CS relatively quickly, given their qualifications and assistance from alumni programs.

Statistics:

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cost: $60,000 tuition + other expenses (MIT has one of the top 4 financial aid programs, so cost is not a problem for attendance)
• Top Employers: Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Mckinsey & Co.

Check out Kollegio to find out more about MIT and craft your application!

Stanford University

From having one of the top research programs in the United States, Stanford comes at having the second-best computer science (CS) program in the United States. When looking at prestige, Stanford has the most Turing winners than any other institution. The Turing Award is known as the “Nobel Prize for Computer Science,” and many Stanford alumni are current holders of this prestigious award. Just like MIT, Stanford encourages a more research and hands-on learning approach, allowing students to explore the world of CS and Artificial Intelligence. From undergraduate to graduate CS programs, Stanford offers exceptional education opportunities by providing the best learning environment with the best professors. Given Stanford’s location, its graduates are recruited primarily by Silicon Valley Tycoons and offered high-paying jobs in the CS field.

Statistics:

• Location: Stanford, California
• Cost: $63,000 tuition + other expenses (Stanford offers high financial aid for lower-income students)
• Top Employers: Apple, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Google, Meta

Carnegie Mellon University

For several consecutive years, Carnegie Mellon has been known to be the top computer science and engineering college in the United States. As stated before, there is computer science everywhere in fields other than the tech industry (i.e. medical, media). Through interdisciplinary collaborations, CMU brings together several ideas and concepts and incorporates computer science. This allows graduates to find work almost immediately, and it does not have to be in the IT field. Like Stanford and MIT, CMU boasts an incredible CS research program for its students so that they can develop their skills.

Statistics:

• Location: Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
• Cost: $80,000
• Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple

University of California - Berkeley

Being one of the top universities in California, UC Berkeley boasts a top CS program that some could say is the best in the United States. UC Berkeley is known to focus on CS as well as aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Since the incorporation of AI into daily life is becoming a norm, students who have a strong foundation in both CS and AI can find high-paying jobs relatively quickly. Not to mention, being located so close to Silicon Valley and other top companies will give the students the opportunity to find internships in CS and later jobs as well. In fact, CS graduates from Berkeley are very keen to create their own startups in the tech industry (they are often successful).

Statistics:

• Location: Berkeley, California
• Cost: $43,000 (in-state)/$73,000 (out-of-state)
• Top Employers: Google, Apple, Kaiser Permanente 

University of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign

From having a stellar faculty to supporting world-changing research, UIUC has one of the best CS programs, and it is popular among many who wish to pursue CS. They have strong core courses and a rigorous curriculum centered around fostering growth and passion for CS. UIUC especially focuses on lower-level development (C-programming). With a learning-focused and collaborative environment, UIUC and its faculty prepare the students to excel in the world of programming. Despite not being located near a technological hub, many top companies recruit from UIUC.

Statistics:

• Location: Champaign Illinois
• Cost: $50,000
• Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon

Cornell University

There is no need to introduce this Ivy League university as its reputation precedes it as one of the best computer science schools even within the Ivy League. Being one of the oldest programs in the United States, Cornell’s CS program is not only prestigious but it is filled with a curriculum refined over the long years to make it perfect for the students. Being a heavily theory-based program, Cornell teaches its students the thought process behind computer science and encourages deeper learning of the field.

Statistics:

• Location: Ithaca, New York
• Cost: $83,200
• Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, IBM 

Georgia Institute of Technology

Like its name suggests, Georgia Tech has one of the top computer science and engineering programs in the U.S. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration; the university faculty encourages students to delve deeper into the computational process. Georgia Tech’s CS programs focus on the concept of Threads, which is a curriculum that builds on a base of fundamentals in programming and computational theory so that students can develop important skills that will help them in the workforce.

Statistics:

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Cost: $28,000 (in-state)/$49,200 (out-of-state)
• Top Employers: CBRE, Apple, Amazon, Bank of America, McKinsey & Co.

University of Texas at Austin

This public university’s ranking has risen significantly over the years, and some consider it to be on par with Ivy League schools. Renowned for its broad strengths across all aspects of computer science, UT Austin has one of the largest concentrations of top computer science talent. Fostering this talent through its CS curriculum and offering students choices to explore this field, UT Austin prepares students to find top positions at top companies.

Statistics:

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Cost: $30,200 (in-state)/$59,600 (out-of-state)
• Top Employers: Dell Technologies, Amazon, Apple, IBM, Google

Princeton University

Yet another Ivy League school has made this list, and it is for good reason as Princeton is one of the top universities in the United States in terms of research opportunities and CS development. What makes Princeton’s CS program so unique is the fact that it allows students to customize their degree to fit their interests and future plans. This ensures that students are exposed in-depth to algorithm and theoretical computer sciences, computer system design, and applications.

Statistics:

• Location: Princeton, New Jersey
• Cost: $80,400
• Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

UMich is not only a renowned public school, but it is also one of the oldest and most respected programs in computer science in the world. Along with its strong academic excellence and diverse learning curriculum, UMich is also known for being a research-intensive institute, allowing students to explore the field of CS through cutting-edge projects. Not to mention, UMich has a large alumni network in CS, making it relatively easy for graduates to find jobs in the tech field. 

Statistics:

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Cost: $33,500 (in-state)/$72,100 (out-of-state)
• Top Employers: General Motors, Google, Amazon, Meta

Conclusion

There are many more universities with top computer science programs than just these ten colleges. Websites like U.S. News have a comprehensive list of colleges ranked based on their respective CS programs. Before finalizing any college lists, it is imperative to first research each and every college and make sure it fits every criterion you may have. Some colleges might be ranked very high, but there may be aspects of the university that you may not like, or it is an extremely difficult school to get into. Try out Kollegio to find out which CS college is the best fit for you.

In the end, you do not have to go to a top CS university in order to get a top CS job that pays a lot. It is important to note that many companies look for students who have experience in computer science. Though a degree from a top university may help, companies care more about what the student did outside of the university to develop their skills (i.e., research, internships). Pursue your passions and develop your skills in computer science to get your dream job!

By Vedik Ranabothu