subjects for phd in computer science

CS PhD Course Guidelines

The following program guidelines (a.k.a model pogram) serve as a starting point for a discussion with the faculty about areas of interest.   This description of the Computer Science PhD course guidelines augments the school-wide  PhD course requirements .   Students should make themselves familiar with both.

Course Guidelines for Ph.D. Students in Computer Science

We expect students to obtain broad knowledge of computer science by taking graduate level courses in a variety of sub-areas in computer science, such as systems, networking, databases, algorithms, complexity, hardware, human-computer interaction, graphics, or programming languages.

Within our school, CS courses are roughly organized according to sub-area by their middle digit, so we expect students to take courses in a minimum of three distinct sub-areas, one of which should be theory (denoted by the middle digit of 2, or CS 231). Theory is specifically required as we expect all students to obtain some background in the mathematical foundations that underlie computer science. The intention is not only to give breadth to students, but to ensure cross-fertilization across different sub-disciplines in Computer Science.

Just as we expect all students obtaining a Ph.D. to have experience with the theoretical foundations of computer science, we expect all students to have some knowledge of how to build large software or hardware systems , on the order of thousands of lines of code, or the equivalent complexity in hardware. That experience may be evidenced by coursework or by a project submitted to the CHD for examination. In almost all cases a course numbered CS 26x or CS 24x will satisfy the requirement (exceptions will be noted in the course description on my.harvard). Students may also petition to use CS 161 for this requirement.   For projects in other courses, research projects, or projects done in internships the student is expected to write a note explaining the project, include a link to any relevant artifacts or outcomes, describe the student's individual contribution, and where appropriate obtain a note from their advisor, their class instructor, or their supervisors confirming their contributions.  The project must include learning about systems concepts, and not just writing many lines of code.   Students hoping to invoke the non-CS24x/26x/161 option must consult with  Prof. Mickens ,  Prof, Kung,  or  Prof. Idreos  well in advance of submitting their Program Plan to the CHD.  

Computer science is an applied science, with connections to many fields. Learning about and connecting computer science to other fields is a key part of an advanced education in computer science. These connections may introduce relevant background, or they may provide an outlet for developing new applications.

For example, mathematics courses may be appropriate for someone working in theory, linguistics courses may be appropriate for someone working in computational linguistics, economics courses may be appropriate for those working in algorithmic economics, electrical engineering courses may be appropriate for those working in circuit design, and design courses may be appropriate for someone working in user interfaces.

Requirements

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) requires all Ph.D. students to complete 16 half-courses (“courses”, i.e., for 4 units of credit) to complete their degree. Of those 16 courses, a Ph.D. in Computer Science requires 10 letter-graded courses. (The remaining 6 courses are often 300-level research courses or other undergraduate or graduate coursework beyond the 10 required courses.)

The requirements for the 10 letter-graded courses are as follows:

• Of the 7 technical courses, at least 3 must be 200-level Computer Science courses, with 3 different middle digits (from the set 2,3,4,5,6,7,8), and with one of these three courses either having a middle digit of 2 or being CS 231 (i.e., a “theory” course).   Note that CS courses with a middle digit of 0 are valid technical courses, but do not contribute to the breadth requirement.
• At least 5 of the 8 disciplinary courses must be SEAS or SEAS-equivalent 200-level courses. A “SEAS equivalent” course is a course taught by a SEAS faculty member in another FAS department. 
• For any MIT course taken, the student must provide justification why the MIT course is necessary (i.e. SEAS does not offer the topic, the SEAS course has not been offered in recent years, etc.). MIT courses do not count as part of the 5 200-level SEAS/SEAS-equivalent courses. 
• 2 of the 10 courses must constitute an external minor (referred to as "breadth" courses in the SEAS “ Policies of the Committee on Higher Degrees [CHD] ”) in an area outside of computer science. These courses should be clearly related; generally, this will mean the two courses are in the same discipline, although this is not mandatory. These courses must be distinct from the 8 disciplinary courses referenced above.
• Students must demonstrate practical competence by building a large software or hardware system during the course of their graduate studies. This requirement will generally be met through a class project, but it can also be met through work done in the course of a summer internship, or in the course of research.
• In particular, for Computer Science graduate degrees, Applied Computation courses may be counted as 100-level courses, not 200-level courses.
• Up to 2 of the 10 courses can be 299r courses, but only 1 of the up to 2 allowed 299r courses can count toward the 8 disciplinary courses. 299r courses do not count toward the 5 200-level SEAS/SEAS-equivalent courses. If two 299r’s are taken, they can be with the same faculty but the topics must be sufficiently different.
• A maximum of 3 graduate-level transfer classes are allowed to count towards the 10 course requirement.
• All CS Ph.D. program plans must adhere to the SEAS-wide Ph.D. requirements, which are stated in the SEAS Policies of the Committee on Higher Degrees (CHD) . These SEAS-wide requirements are included in the items listed above, though students are encouraged to read the CHD document if there are questions, as the CHD document provides further explanation/detail on several of the items above.
• All program plans must be approved by the CHD. Exceptions to any of these requirements require a detailed written explanation of the reasoning for the exception from the student and the student’s research advisor. Exceptions can only be approved by the CHD, and generally exceptions will only be given for unusual circumstances specific to the student’s research program.

Requirement Notes

• Courses below the 100-level are not suitable for graduate credit.
• For students who were required to take it, CS 2091/2092 (formerly CS 290a/b or 290hfa/hfb may be included as one of the 10 courses but it does not count toward the 200-level CS or SEAS/SEAS-equivalent course requirements nor toward the SM en route to the PhD.

Your program plan  must always comply  with both our school's General Requirements, in addition to complying with the specific requirements for Computer Science. All program plans must be approved by the Committee on Higher Degrees [CHD]. Exceptions to the requirements can only be approved by the CHD, and generally will only be given for unusual circumstances specific to the student’s research program

In Computer Science

• First-Year Exploration
• Concentration Information
• Secondary Field
• Senior Thesis
• AB/SM Information
• Student Organizations
• How to Apply
• PhD Timeline
• PhD Course Requirements
• Qualifying Exam
• Committee Meetings (Review Days)
• Committee on Higher Degrees
• Research Interest Comparison
• Collaborations
• Cross-Harvard Engagement
• Lecture Series
• Clubs & Organizations
• Centers & Initiatives
• Alumni Stories

Departments

• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Center for Urban Science and Progress
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Urban Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Finance and Risk Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Technology, Culture and Society
• Technology Management and Innovation

Degrees & Programs

• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Digital Learning
• Certificate Programs
• NYU Tandon Bridge
• Undergraduate
• Records & Registration
• Digital Learning Services
• Teaching Innovation
• Explore NYU Tandon
• Year in Review
• Strategic Plan
• Diversity & Inclusion

News & Events

• Social Media

Looking for News or Events ?

Computer Science, Ph.D.

• Request Information

We have a thriving Ph.D. program with approximately 80 full-time Ph.D. students hailing from all corners of the world. Most full-time Ph.D. students have scholarships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Admission is highly competitive. We seek creative, articulate students with undergraduate and master's degrees from top universities worldwide. Our  current research strengths  include data management and analysis, cybersecurity, computer games, visualization, web search, graphics, vision and image processing, and theoretical computer science.

This degree program offers interested students opportunities to do their research abroad, under the supervision of faculty at NYU Shanghai or  NYU Abu Dhabi .

• View the Computer Science Ph.D. program flyer
• Admissions requirements for the Ph.D. Program.
• Find out more about general  Admission Requirements .

To receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, a student must:

• satisfy a breadth course requirement, intended to ensure broad knowledge of computer science,
• satisfy a depth requirement, consisting of an oral qualifying exam presentation with a written report, to ensure the student's ability to do research,
• submit a written thesis proposal and make an oral presentation about the proposal,
• write a Ph.D. thesis that must be approved by a dissertation guidance committee and present an oral thesis defense, and
• satisfy all School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, as described in the NYU Tandon School of Engineering bulletin, including graduate study duration, credit points, GPA, and time-to-degree requirements.

Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor who will guide them in formulating an individual study plan directing their course choice for the first two years. The department will hold an annual Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting, in which all Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed.

Note: for pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. students, please see the pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum.

Program Requirements

Details about Breadth and Depth Requirements, Thesis Proposal and Presentation, and Thesis Defense can be found in the NYU Bulletin.

Program Details

Each incoming Ph.D. student will be assigned to a research advisor, or to an interim advisor, who will provide academic advising until the student has a research advisor. The advisor will meet with the student when the student enters the program to guide the student in formulating an Individual Study Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide the student’s course choice for the first two years in the program and to ensure that the student meets the breadth requirements. The plan may also specify additional courses to be taken by the student in order to acquire necessary background and expertise. Subsequent changes to the plan must be approved by the advisor.

Sample Plan of Study

In order to obtain a Ph.D. degree, a student must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the BS degree, including at least 21 credits of dissertation. A Master of Science in Computer Science may be transferred as 30 credits without taking individual courses into consideration. Other graduate coursework in Computer Science may be transferred on a course-by-course basis. Graduate coursework in areas other than Computer Science can be transferred on a course-by-course basis with approval of the Ph.D. Committee (PHDC). The School of Engineering places some limits on the number and types of transfer credits that are available. Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. 

All Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed each year in a Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting. The review is conducted by the entire CSE faculty and includes at least the following items (in no particular order):

• All courses taken, grades received, and GPAs.
• Research productivity: publications, talks, software, systems, etc.
• Faculty input, especially from advisors and committee members.
• Student’s own input.
• Cumulative history of the student's progress.

As a result of the review, each student will be placed in one of the following two categories, by vote of the faculty:

• In Good Standing: The student has performed well in the previous semester and may continue in the Ph.D. program for one more year, assuming satisfactory academic progress is maintained.
• Not in Good Standing: The student has not performed sufficiently well in the previous year. The consequences of not being in good standing will vary, and may include being placed on probation, losing RA/GA/TA funding, or not being allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Following the review, students will receive formal letters which will inform them of their standing. The letters may also make specific recommendations to the student as to what will be expected of them in the following year. A copy of each student’s letter will be placed in the student’s file.

Quick Links

• Graduate Admissions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Pre-Fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum

Program Admissions Chair

Justin Cappos

Program director.

Rachel Greenstadt

Periwinkle Doerfler

Nektarios Tsoutsos

Doctoral Degree in Computer Science

Carnegie Mellon's Ph.D. in Computer Science is, above all, a research degree. When the faculty award a Ph.D., they certify that the student has a broad foundation and awareness of core concepts in computer science, has advanced the field by performing significant original research and has reported that work in a scholarly fashion.

When you begin our Ph.D. program, you’ll take the Introductory Course for Doctoral Students — an intense two week program that orients you to the department, introduces you to research and education topics our faculty are interested in, helps you find a faculty advisor and familiarizes you with Carnegie Mellon’s resources. Next, you’ll gain a broad understanding of fundamental research issues in major areas of computer science through coursework and original research. Finally, you’ll write and orally defend a thesis that guarantees you understand the area well enough to advance the state of knowledge in the field.

During the first two years of the program, you’ll gain the foundation of knowledge that will allow you to become an expert researcher in computer science, primarily by

Mastering a body of graduate material, achieved by passing 96 university units worth of graduate courses (equivalent to eight full-time courses).

Learning how to organize and begin to carry out original research, achieved by participating in directed research.

You will also serve as a teaching assistant, hone your writing and speaking skills and maintain your programming prowess. You’ll also receive periodic evaluation of your progress, and must make satisfactory progress to continue in the program.

Time Commitment:

As a Ph.D. student in computer science at CMU, you'll spend roughly five years acquiring a body of technical knowledge that includes a familiarity with the breadth of the field, as well as a deep understanding of your research area. From your second month in the program, you'll work closely with your faculty advisor, who is charged with guiding your education and monitoring your progress through the program. You'll take courses, teach and perform directed research — all to ensure that you leave Carnegie Mellon as an expert in your field. For a complete breakdown of our program requirements, read our Ph.D. Handbook .

Financial Information:

The Computer Science Department offers all Ph.D. students full financial support while they are in good academic standing in their respective programs. To learn more about Ph.D. funding, visit the SCS  Doctoral Programs  webpage.

Graduate Tuition: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/graduate/scs.html

Student Fees: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/fees/index.html

Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Financial Aid: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/graduate/index.html

• Bachelor's Programs
• Master's Programs
• Ph.D. in Computer Science
• Ph.D. in ACO
• Doctoral - How to Apply
• Degrees Conferred
• Other SCS Doctoral Programs
• Student Resources

Computer Science & Engineering

Doctoral Programs in Computer Science and Engineering

Updated January 2023

PhD Program Overview

The following requirements are for students who entered the program starting Fall 2018 or later. If you entered Doctoral Program  prior to Fall 2018  see our  Former Curriculum Requirements .

CSE offers Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Computer Science and in Computer Engineering, providing a research-oriented education in preparation for a research, industrial, or entrepreneurial career. These programs explore both the fundamental aspects and application of computation, spanning theory, software, hardware, and applications.

The 37-unit coursework requirement is intended to ensure that students are exposed to (1) fundamental concepts and tools, (2) advanced, up-to-date views in topics outside their area (the breadth requirement), and (3) a deep, up-to-date view of their research area (the elective requirement). Doctoral students are expected to complete the breadth and elective requirements within the first three years of the program. All required coursework must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of CSE 292 (Faculty Research Seminar), which is only offered S/U.

To access the CSE PhD Program Course Planner worksheet:   click here

Units obtained from a single course cannot count towards both the breadth and the elective requirements; they may only be applied towards one or the other. Doctoral students who have taken similar courses elsewhere may petition for a waiver of the required courses or for substitution by alternative courses.

The breadth requirement ensures that doctoral students share knowledge of fundamental concepts and tools from across broad areas of computer science and computer engineering. Each doctoral student must take each of these courses for a letter grade and maintain an overall breadth course GPA of 3.3 (except for CSE 292, for which a letter grade is not assigned). A student will typically complete all breadth courses within the first two years of graduate study.  Breadth courses are categorized into ten areas and are listed here alphabetically:

• Artificial Intelligence 
• Bioinformatics
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Systems & Security
• Database Systems
• Graphics & Vision
• Human-computer Interaction 
• Programming Languages, Compilers, and Software Engineering
• Theoretical Computer Science

To fulfill the breadth requirement, students will select four out of the ten areas and take a single course from each of these four areas.

For courses approved to fulfill the breadth requirement, please see the CSE Graduate Course Structure for PhD Students.

Additionally, students are required to take CSE 292, a 1-unit Faculty Researcher Seminar, where CSE faculty present one-hour seminars of their current research work in their areas of interest.  This course is only taught in Fall quarters and offered for S/U grade only.

The elective requirement ensures that doctoral students acquire some depth of knowledge in a general research area early in their career, but it also does not preclude them from pursuing a breadth of topics, if it serves their research interests. The elective requirement is designed to be flexible and nimble enough to respond to the rapidly and constantly evolving dynamic disciplines of computer science and computer engineering. 

The elective requirement is also designed with heavy faculty mentorship in mind.  Students will consult with their faculty advisors to develop an academic plan that will include four courses from the aforementioned four separate breadth areas and five elective courses that may be selected from an approved set of courses featured in the  CSE Graduate Course Structure for PhD Students.

Units obtained in the CSE 209 series, 229 series, 239 series, 249 series, 259 series, 269 series, 279 series, 289 series, 219, 290, 292, 293, 294, 298, 299, 500, and 599 do not count toward the elective requirement.

The research exam in the first milestone in the Ph.D. program.  It has three goals:

• Depth . The research exam verifies the student's ability to identify challenges and open problems in a focused area.  The exam should teach students how to navigate, acquire depth of knowledge, and perform critical analysis in a given research area; the exam should verify such abilities.
• Communication . The research exam will verify the student's ability to communicate past and proposed research, orally and in writing.
• Provide diverse feedback . The research exam provides the student with feedback on their research synthesis, analysis, and communication skills from CSE faculty beyond their advisor and outside their immediate research area.

As part of the exam, the student prepares and makes a presentation to their research exam committee.  The presentation can present results of their research and must also place that work in the context of related work in the field.

The exam committee comprises three faculty members (not including the student’s advisor), and the committee evaluates the student based on the goals above.

Student should complete the exam before the end of their second year of study.

Teaching is an important part of a doctoral student’s training. All students enrolled in the doctoral program must have one quarter of training as a teaching assistant. This is a formal degree requirement and must be completed before the student is permitted to graduate. The requirement is met by serving as a 50 percent teaching assistant and taking CSE 500 (Teaching Assistantship). CSE 599 (Teaching Methods in Computer Science) examines theoretical and practical communication and teaching techniques particularly appropriate to computer science, and students usually take it prior to or concurrent with the teaching assistantship.

The qualifying examination is a requirement for advancement to candidacy. Prior to taking the qualifying examination, a student must have satisfied the departmental course and research exam requirements and must have been accepted by a CSE faculty member as a doctoral thesis candidate. All doctoral students are expected to advance to candidacy by the end of their third year, and advancement is mandatory by the end of the fourth year. The examination is administered by a doctoral committee appointed by the dean of the Graduate Division and consists of faculty from CSE and other departments. More information on the composition of the committee can be obtained from the CSE graduate office. The examination is taken after the student and his or her adviser have identified a topic for the dissertation and an initial demonstration of feasible progress has been made. The candidate is expected to describe his or her accomplishments to date as well as future work.

The dissertation defense is the final doctoral examination. A candidate for the doctoral degree is expected to write a dissertation and defend it in an oral examination conducted by the doctoral committee. 

Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of four years. Total university support cannot exceed seven years. Total registered time at UC San Diego cannot exceed eight years.

PhD students may obtain an MS Degree along the way or a terminal MS degree by completing the PhD coursework requirements (see details in the section “Doctoral Degree Program”); AND completing four units of CSE 299/298/293 OR an additional 4-unit, letter-graded, approved course from the CSE Graduate Course Structure; AND passing the PhD Research Exam.  Please note that completion of CSE 292 is not required for PhD students to earn the MS along the way or a terminal MS.

Financial support is available to qualified graduate students in the form of fellowships, loans, and assistantships. For questions about financial support, please see our website: http://cse.ucsd.edu/graduate/financial-opportunities .

Email forwarding for @cs.stanford.edu is changing. Updates and details here . CS Commencement Ceremony June 16, 2024.  Learn More .

PhD Admissions

Main navigation.

The Computer Science Department PhD program is a top-ranked research-oriented program, typically completed in 5-6 years. There are very few course requirements and the emphasis is on preparation for a career in Computer Science research. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission in a Stanford graduate program, applicants must meet:

• Applicants from institutions outside of the United States must hold the equivalent of a United States Bachelor's degree from a college or University of recognized good standing. See detailed information by region on  Stanford Graduate Admissions website. 
• Area of undergraduate study . While we do not require a specific undergraduate coursework, it is important that applicants have strong quantitative and analytical skills; a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science is not required.

Any questions about the admissions eligibility should be directed to  [email protected] .

Application Checklist

An completed online application must be submitted by the CS Department application deadline and can be found  here .

Application Deadlines

The online application can be found here  and we will only one admissions cycle for the PhD program per respective academic term.

• Values of Inclusion
• 2020 Antiracism Task Force
• 2022 DEI Report
• Research News

Department Life

• Listed by Recipient
• Listed by Category
• Oral History of Cornell CS
• CS 40th Anniversary Booklet
• ABC Book for Computer Science at Cornell by David Gries
• Books by Author
• Books Chronologically
• The 60's
• The 70's
• The 80's
• The 90's
• The 00's
• The 2010's
• Faculty Positions: Ithaca
• Faculty Positions: New York City
• Lecturer Position: Ithaca
• Post-doc Position: Ithaca
• Staff/Technical Positions
• Ugrad Course Staff
• Ithaca Info
• Internal info
• Graduation Information
• Cornell Learning Machines Seminar
• Student Colloquium
• Spring 2024 Colloquium
• Conway-Walker Lecture Series
• Salton 2023 Lecture Series
• Spring 2024 Artificial Intelligence Seminar
• Spring 2024 Robotics Seminar
• Spring 2024 Theory Seminar
• Big Red Hacks
• Cornell University - High School Programming Contests 2024
• Game Design Initiative
• CSMore: The Rising Sophomore Summer Program in Computer Science
• Explore CS Research
• ACSU Research Night
• Cornell Junior Theorists' Workshop 2023
• Researchers
• Ph.D. Students
• M.Eng. Students
• M.S. Students
• Ph.D. Alumni
• List of Courses
• Course and Room Roster
• CS Advanced Standing Exam
• Architecture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Biology
• Database Systems
• Human Interaction
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Programming Languages
• Scientific Computing
• Software Engineering
• Systems and Networking
• Theory of Computing
• Contact Academic Advisor
• Your First CS Course
• Technical Electives
• CS with Other Majors/Areas
• Transfer Credits
• CS Honors Program
• CPT for International CS Undergrads
• Graduation Requirements
• Useful Forms
• Becoming a CS Major
• Requirements
• Game Design Minor
• Co-op Program
• Cornell Bowers CIS Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE)
• Independent Research (CS 4999)
• Student Groups
• UGrad Events
• Undergraduate Learning Center
• UGrad Course Staff Info
• The Review Process
• Early M.Eng Credit Approval
• Financial Aid
• Prerequisites
• The Application Process
• The Project
• Pre-approved Electives
• Degree Requirements
• The Course Enrollment Process
• Advising Tips
• Entrepreneurship
• Cornell Tech Programs
• Professional Development
• Contact MEng Office
• Career Success
• Applicant FAQ
• Computer Science Graduate Office Hours
• Exam Scheduling Guidelines
• Graduate TA Handbook
• MS Degree Checklist
• MS Student Financial Support
• Special Committee Selection
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Contact MS Office
• Ph.D. Applicant FAQ
• Graduate Housing
• Non-Degree Application Guidelines
• Ph. D. Visit Day
• Business Card Policy
• Cornell Tech
• Curricular Practical Training
• Fellowship Opportunities
• Field of Computer Science Ph.D. Student Handbook
• Field A Exam Summary Form
• Graduate School Forms
• Instructor / TA Application
• Ph.D. Requirements
• Ph.D. Student Financial Support
• Travel Funding Opportunities
• Travel Reimbursement Guide
• The Outside Minor Requirement
• CS Graduate Minor
• Outreach Opportunities
• Parental Accommodation Policy
• Special Masters
• Student Spotlights
• Contact PhD Office

Search form

Computer Science Ph.D. Program

You are here.

The Cornell Ph.D. program in computer science is consistently ranked among the top six departments in the country, with world-class research covering all of computer science. Our computer science program is distinguished by the excellence of the faculty, by a long tradition of pioneering research, and by the breadth of its Ph.D. program. Faculty and Ph.D. students are located both in Ithaca and in New York City at the Cornell Tech campus . The Field of Computer Science also includes faculty members from other departments (Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Applied Math, Mathematics, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computational Biology, and Architecture) who can supervise a student's Ph.D. thesis research in computer science.

Over the past years we've increased our strength in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, security, machine learning, and digital libraries, while maintaining our depth in traditional areas such as theory, programming languages and scientific computing.  You can find out more about our research here . 

The department provides an exceptionally open and friendly atmosphere that encourages the sharing of ideas across all areas. 

Cornell is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. This beautiful area provides many opportunities for recreational activities such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, both downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and brewery/cider/wine-tasting. In fact, Cornell offers courses in all of these activities.

The Cornell Tech campus in New York City is located on Roosevelt Island.  Cornell Tech  is a graduate school conceived and implemented expressly to integrate the study of technology with business, law, and design. There are now over a half-dozen masters programs on offer as well as doctoral studies.

FAQ with more information about the two campuses .

Ph.D. Program Structure

Each year, about 30-40 new Ph.D. students join the department. During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the faculty members and their areas of research by taking graduate courses, attending research seminars, and participating in research projects. By the end of the first year, each student selects a specific area and forms a committee based on the student's research interests. This “Special Committee” of three or more faculty members will guide the student through to a Ph.D. dissertation. Ph.D. students that decide to work with a faculty member based at Cornell Tech typically move to New York City after a year in Ithaca.

The Field believes that certain areas are so fundamental to Computer Science that all students should be competent in them. Ph.D. candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in four areas of computer science at the high undergraduate level: theory, programming languages, systems, and artificial intelligence.

Each student then focuses on a specific topic of research and begins a preliminary investigation of that topic. The initial results are presented during a comprehensive oral evaluation, which is administered by the members of the student's Special Committee. The objective of this examination, usually taken in the third year, is to evaluate a student's ability to undertake original research at the Ph.D. level.

The final oral examination, a public defense of the dissertation, is taken before the Special Committee.

To encourage students to explore areas other than Computer Science, the department requires that students complete an outside minor. Cornell offers almost 90 fields from which a minor can be chosen. Some students elect to minor in related fields such as Applied Mathematics, Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Operations Research. Others use this opportunity to pursue interests as diverse as Music, Theater, Psychology, Women's Studies, Philosophy, and Finance.

The computer science Ph.D. program complies with the requirements of the Cornell Graduate School , which include requirements on residency, minimum grades, examinations, and dissertation.

The Department also administers a very small 2-year Master of Science program (with thesis). Students in this program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend for their services.

Secondary Menu

Phd program, find your passion for research.

Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year. Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.

Write a research proposal the first year and finish the research the second under the supervision of the chosen advisor and committee; present the research results to the committee and peers. Many students turn their RIP work into a conference paper and travel to present it.

Course work requirements are written to support the department's research philosophy. Pass up to four of the required six courses in the first two years to give time and space for immersing oneself in the chosen area.

Years three through five continue as the students go deeper and deeper into a research area and their intellectual community broadens to include collaborators from around the world. Starting in year three, the advisor funds the student's work, usually through research grants. The Preliminary exam that year is the opportunity for the student to present their research to date, to share work done by others on the topic, and to get feedback and direction for the Ph.D. from the committee, other faculty, and peers.

Most Ph.D students defend in years five and six. While Duke and the department guarantee funding through the fifth year, advisors and the department work with students to continue support for work that takes longer.

Teaching is a vital part of the Ph.D. experience. Students are required to TA for two semesters, although faculty are ready to work with students who want more involvement. The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers coursework, peer review, and evaluation of a teaching portfolio for those who want to teach. In addition, the Department awards a Certificates of Distinction in Teaching for graduating PhD students who have demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching and mentoring.

• CS 50th Anniversary
• Computing Resources
• Event Archive
• Location & Directions
• AI for Social Good
• Computational Social Choice
• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Reinforcement Learning
• Search and Optimization
• Computational Biochemistry and Drug Design
• Computational Genomics
• Computational Imaging
• DNA and Molecular Computing
• Algorithmic Game Theory
• Social Choice
• Computational Journalism
• Broadening Participation in Computing
• CS1/CS2 Learning, Pedagogy, and Curricula
• Education Technology
• Practical and Ethical Approaches to Software and Computing
• Interdisciplinary Research in Data Science
• Security & Privacy
• Architecture
• Computer Networks
• Distributed Systems
• High Performance Computing
• Operating Systems
• Quantum Computing
• Approximation and Online Algorithms
• Coding and Information Theory
• Computational Complexity
• Geometric Computing
• Graph Algorithms
• Numerical Analysis
• Programming Languages
• Why Duke Computer Science?
• BS Concentration in Software Systems
• BS Concentration in Data Science
• BS Concentration in AI and Machine Learning
• BA Requirements
• Minors in Computer Science
• 4+1 Program for Duke Undergraduates
• IDM in Math + CS on Data Science
• IDM in Linguistics + CS
• IDM in Statistics + CS on Data Science
• IDM in Visual & Media Studies (VMS) + CS
• Graduation with Distinction
• Independent Study
• Identity in Computing Research
• CS+ Summer Program
• CS Related Student Organizations
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) Information
• Your Background
• Schedule a Visit
• All Prospective CS Undergrads
• Admitted or Declared 1st Majors
• First Course in CS
• Duties and Commitment
• Compensation
• Trinity Ambassadors
• Mentoring for CS Graduate Students
• MSEC Requirements
• Master's Options
• Financial Support
• MS Requirements
• Concurrent Master's for Non-CS PhDs
• Admission & Enrollment Statistics
• PhD Course Requirements
• Conference Travel
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Graduate Student Resources
• Graduate Awards
• Undergraduate Courses
• Graduate Courses
• Spring 2024 Classes
• Fall 2023 Classes
• Spring 2023 Classes
• Course Substitutions for Majors & Minors
• Course Bulletin
• Course Registration Logistics
• Assisting Duke Students
• For Current Students
• Alumni Lectures - Spring 2024
• News - Alumni
• Primary Faculty
• Secondary Faculty
• Adjunct and Visiting Faculty
• Emeriti - In Memoriam
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• Ph.D. Program
• Masters in Computer Science
• Masters in Economics and Computation
• Affiliated Graduate Students

Computer Science and Engineering

Why study computer science and engineering.

The Computer Science and Engineering doctoral program has excellent research and teaching facilities including research laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment in the areas of computer science, software systems, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and more. Every graduate laboratory has a mix of computers running the latest versions of Solaris, Linux, or Windows.

There are five possible research groups.

• The Data and Knowledge Management group studies the storage, retrieval, and mining of data in databases.
• The Experimental Computer Systems group studies computer systems perspective, including operation systems, compilers, computer architecture, networking, and wireless communications.
• The Intelligent Systems group focuses on designing and analyzing an intelligent algorithm or system using any of the theoretical formalisms.
• The Internet Computing and Information Science group examines technologies for computing and communication across Internet or any other networked system, and the Quantum Computing group studies the growing field of Quantum Computing.

Admission Requirements

• GRE - Required of all international students; GRE is exempt for students that earned a degree from an ABET    accredited university (or equivalent   accreditation) in the USA with a GPA of 3.0+
• Transcript(s) and Degree Certificates (unofficial transcripts are used for admissions review, only admitted applicants submit official transcripts)
• GPA minimum 3.0 or equivalent
• Statement of Purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• International students - English Proficiency Test: TOEFL (minimum 92) or IELTS (minimum 6.5)
• Guide: Computer Science and Engineering PhD

Application Deadlines

Early Admission

General Admission

Application deadlines and additional application information can be found at the CEAS Office of Graduate Studies .

Contact Information

Find related programs in the following interest areas:.

• Computers & Technology
• Engineering

Program Code: 20DOC-CSE-PHD

PhD Program

In many ways, the PhD program is the cornerstone of Computer Science at Boston University.  Our PhD students serve some of the most central roles of our department, from pursuing sponsored research together with supervising faculty members as Research Assistants, to serving as Teaching Fellows in support of our undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Pursuing the PhD degree enables you to become an expert in a technical subfield of Computer Science and advance the state of the art by contributing original research in that discipline. Most PhD students also gain practical experience in the classroom, as well as, becoming a visible member of the research community by publishing research and delivering oral presentations at conferences and research seminars.

Upon completing your PhD degree, you will be able to set your own research direction, teach and advise students, and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research in academia or at an industrial laboratory.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend original research in the field of Computer Science.
• Master broad knowledge of Computer Science across algorithms, software, systems, theory of computation, and in one of the areas of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography & security, and data science .
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular subject area within Computer Science.
• Actively participate in the Computer Science research community, for example by attending academic conferences and submitting research results for publication in professional conferences and journals.
• Be able to effectively communicate the results of research.

We invite you to learn more about our program through the links below.

PhD Program Information

• Program Milestones
• Breadth Requirements
• Subject Exams
• Specimen Curriculum

Fellowships & Awards

• Computer Science Fellowship Opportunities
• Research Excellence Award
• Teaching Excellence Award
• Teaching Fellow Expectations

More Information

• PhD in Computer Science – Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Bulletin
• Graduate School of the College of Arts and Sciences (GRS) PhD Requirements
• Graduation Calendar
• PhD Profile for Computer Science

Apply Today

To apply to the Ph.D. program, please fill out an online application .

Deadline: December 15 for Fall admission.

With questions about admissions, please contact us at [email protected] .

Enter a Search Term

PhD in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science is a small and selective program at Pace University that aims to cultivate advanced computing research scholars and professionals who will excel in both industry and academia. By enrolling in this program, you will be on your way to joining a select group at the very nexus of technological thought and application.

Learn more about the PhD in Computer Science .

Forms and Research Areas

General forms.

• PhD Policies and Procedures Manual – The manual contains all the information you need before, during, and toward the end of your studies in the PhD program.
• Advisor Approval Form (PDF) – Completed by student and approved by faculty member agreeing to the role as advisor.
• Committee Member Approval Form (PDF) – Completed by student with signatures of each faculty member agreeing to be on dissertation committee.
• Change in Advisor or Committee Member Approval Form (PDF) – Completed by student with the approval of new advisor or committee member. Department Chair approval needed.
• Qualifying Exam Approval Form (PDF) – Complete and return form to the Program Coordinator no later than Week 6 of the semester.

Dissertation Proposal of Defense Forms

• Application for the Dissertation Proposal of Defense Form (PDF) – Completed by student with the approval of committee members that dissertation proposal is sufficient to defend. Completed form and abstract and submitted to program coordinator for scheduling of defense.
• Dissertation Proposal Defense Evaluation Form (PDF) – To be completed by committee members after student has defended his dissertation proposal.

Final Dissertation Defense Forms

• Dissertation Pre- Defense Approval Form (PDF) – Committee approval certifying that the dissertation is sufficiently developed for a defense.
• Dissertation Defense Evaluation Form (PDF) – Completed by committee members after student has defended his dissertation.

All completed forms submitted to the program coordinator.

Research Areas

The Seidenberg School’s PhD in Computer Science covers a wealth of research areas. We pride ourselves on engaging with every opportunity the computer science field presents. Check out some of our specialties below for examples of just some of the topics we cover at Seidenberg. If you have a particular field of study you are interested in that is not listed below, just get in touch with us and we can discuss opportunities and prospects.

Some of the research areas you can explore at Seidenberg include:

Algorithms And Distributed Computing

Algorithms research in Distributed Computing contributes to a myriad of applications, such as Cloud Computing, Grid Computing, Distributed Databases, Cellular Networks, Wireless Networks, Wearable Monitoring Systems, and many others. Being traditionally a topic of theoretical interest, with the advent of new technologies and the accumulation of massive volumes of data to analyze, theoretical and experimental research on efficient algorithms has become of paramount importance. Accordingly, many forefront technology companies base 80-90% of their software-developer hiring processes on foundational algorithms questions. The Seidenberg faculty has internationally recognized strength in algorithms research for Ad-hoc Wireless Networks embedded in IoT Systems, Mobile Networks, Sensor Networks, Crowd Computing, Cloud Computing, and other related areas. Collaborations on these topics include prestigious research institutions world-wide.

Machine Learning In Medical Image Analysis

Machine learning in medical imaging is a potentially disruptive technology. Deep learning, especially convolutional neural networks (CNN), have been successfully applied in many aspects of medical image analysis, including disease severity classification, region of interest detection, segmentation, registration, disease progression prediction, and other tasks. The Seidenberg School maintains a research track on applying cutting-edge machine learning methods to assist medical image analysis and clinical data fusion. The purpose is to develop computer-aided and decision-supporting systems for medical research and applications.

Pattern recognition, artificial intelligence, data mining, intelligent agents, computer vision, and data mining are topics that are all incorporated into the field of robotics. The Seidenberg School has a robust robotics program that combines these topics in a meaningful program which provides students with a solid foundation in the robotics sphere and allows for specialization into deeper research areas.

Cybersecurity

The Seidenberg School has an excellent track record when it comes to cybersecurity research. We lead the nation in web security, developing secure web applications, and research into cloud security and trust. Since 2004, Seidenberg has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education three times by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security and is now a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. We also secured more than $2,000,000 in federal and private funding for cybersecurity research during the past few years.

Pattern Recognition And Machine Learning

Just as humans take actions based on their sensory input, pattern recognition and machine learning systems operate on raw data and take actions based on the categories of the patterns. These systems can be developed from labeled training data (supervised learning) or from unlabeled training data (unsupervised learning). Pattern recognition and machine learning technology is used in diverse application areas such as optical character recognition, speech recognition, and biometrics. The Seidenberg faculty has recognized strengths in many areas of pattern recognition and machine learning, particularly handwriting recognition and pen computing, speech and medical applications, and applications that combine human and machine capabilities.

A popular application of pattern recognition and machine learning in recent years has been in the area of biometrics. Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and statistically analyzing human physiological and behavioral characteristics. The physiological characteristics include face recognition, DNA, fingerprint, and iris recognition, while the behavioral characteristics include typing dynamics, gait, and voice. The Seidenberg faculty has nationally recognized strength in biometrics, particularly behavioral biometrics dealing with humans interacting with computers and smartphones.

Big Data Analytics

The term “Big Data” is used for data so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using traditional structured data processing technology. Big data analytics is the science that enables organizations to analyze a mixture of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in search of valuable information and insights. The data come from many areas, including meteorology, genomics, environmental research, and the internet. This science uses many machine learning algorithms and the challenges include data capture, search, storage, analysis, and visualization.

Business Process Modeling

Business Process Modeling is the emerging technology for automating the execution and integration of business processes. The BPMN-based business process modeling enables precise modeling and optimization of business processes, and BPEL-based automatic business execution enables effective computing service and business integration and effective auditing. Seidenberg was among the first in the nation to introduce BPM into curricula and research.

Educational Approaches Using Emerging Computing Technologies

The traditional classroom setting doesn’t suit everyone, which is why many teachers and students are choosing to use the web to teach, study, and learn. Pace University offers online bachelor's degrees through NACTEL and Pace Online, and many classes at the Seidenberg School and Pace University as a whole are available to students online.

The Seidenberg School’s research into new educational approaches include innovative spiral education models, portable Seidenberg labs based on cloud computing and computing virtualization with which students can work in personal enterprise IT environment anytime anywhere, and creating new semantic tools for personalized cyber-learning.

• Majors & Careers
• Online Grad School
• Preparing For Grad School
• Student Life

Top 10 Best PhD in Computer Science Programs

Are you looking to further your studies in computer science? Perfect! I’ve researched and put together these ten computer science PhD programs, so keep reading to find your next course!

As you know, PhD in computer science holders are sought-after specialists, with current demand far outstripping supply. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics , jobs for computer and information research scientists are estimated to grow by an impressive 22% between 2020 and 2030. You might score similar positions with a PhD in mathematics , too. But a PhD in computer science can open doors to some of the most lucrative jobs in the industry.

Let’s explore some of the best computer science PhD courses in the US!

Table of Contents

Best Computer Science PhD Programs and Universities

Stanford university.

PhD in Computer Science

Stanford University is one of the most famous research institutions in the world, and its Computer Science programs have been ranked second  in the USA. This PhD program involves a research rotation scheme where students participate in different research groups during the first year. This exposes them to different subjects and lets them know the faculty and fellow students.

• Courses : Analysis of algorithms, programming languages, and computer network & security.
• Credits : 135 course units
• Duration : 5-6 years
• Delivery : On-campus
• Tuition : Refer tuition page  (full funding available)
• Financial aid : Research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and grants
• Acceptance rate:  5.2%
• Location : Stanford, California

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PhD in Computer Science and Engineering

MIT is known as the best technical institution in the world, and its computer science programs were ranked first  in the country by the US & News report. Students can work with all schools and departments throughout their studies.

• Courses : Software & computation for simulation, process data analytics & machine learning, and numerical computing & interactive software.
• Credits : 60
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, federal work-study, fellowships, assistantships, grants, and veteran benefits
• Acceptance rate:  7.3%
• Location : Cambridge, Massachusetts

Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Sciences

CMU is a globally acclaimed private research university, home to conducting cutting-edge technology research across its seven prestigious schools. This is one of the few PhD programs in computer science with an optional dual degree arrangement enabling you to study programs with one of seven Portuguese universities.

• Courses : Algorithms & complexity, artificial intelligence, and software systems.
• Credits : 96 university units
• Tuition : $48,250 per year
• Financial aid:  Full funding, fellowships, and scholarships
• Acceptance rate : 17.3%
• Location : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Harvard University, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard University is a world-renowned research institution that aims to achieve the perfect mix of scholarship and innovation. Across the university, every PhD student is given a field advisor right from the beginning of the program. Then, the student identifies a research area and a potential research advisor in their first two semesters. Upon qualifying, the research advisor nominates a research committee to assist the student throughout their graduate career.

• Courses : Algorithms & their limitations, data structures & algorithms, and cryptography.
• Credits : 16 half-courses
• Duration : 2 years minimum
• Financial aid : Full funding, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
• Acceptance rate:  5%

Duke University, The Graduate School

Duke University is an internationally acclaimed private research university known for its inclusivity. Its Center for Exemplary Mentoring aims to increase the number of PhD graduates from underrepresented and minority communities. Its PhD of Computer Science program is flexible and allows students to choose between a coursework-only option of 30 credits or a thesis.

• Courses : Programming & problem solving, computational microeconomics, and software design & implementation.
• Credits : 8 courses
• Duration : 5 years
• Tuition : $4,325  per semester
• Financial aid : Grants, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
• Acceptance rate : 7.7%
• Location : Durham, North Carolina

The University of California Berkeley, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS)

The University of California Berkeley is a prestigious university committed to student diversity and has a dedicated Office for Graduate Diversity to support students from all backgrounds. This PhD program offers research opportunities in biosystems and computational biology, cyber-physical systems and design automation (CPSDA), and computer architecture and engineering.

• Courses : Combinatorial algorithms & data structures, design of programming languages, and implementation of database systems.
• Credits : 24 units minimum
• Duration : 5.5 – 6 years
• Tuition : $6,132 per semester
• Financial aid : Fellowships, scholarships, grants, research stipends, loans, and work-study
• Acceptance rate : 17%
• Location : Berkeley, California

California Institute of Technology, Computing & Mathematical Sciences Department

The California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is one of the most renowned technology institutions in the world despite its comparatively small size. This PhD program allows students to develop an in-depth understanding of and conduct research in areas related to mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computer science.

• Courses : Quantum cryptography, information theory, and network control systems.
• Credits : 135 units
• Duration : 6 years
• Tuition : $63,063  per year
• Financial aid : Fellowships, assistantships, loans, stipends, scholarships, and work-study
• Acceptance rate : 6.7%
• Location : Pasadena, California

Cornell University, Bowers College of Computing and Information Science

Cornell University is home to several famous technology schools, such as Cornell Tech, which conducts cutting-edge research to find solutions to the challenges of our modern, digital world. In this PhD program, students choose a minor from one of the 90 available fields outside of computer science to widen their knowledge base.

• Courses : Parallel computing, programming environments, and natural language processing.
• Duration : 12 semesters
• Tuition : $24,800  per year
• Financial aid:  Assistantships, fellowships, loans, and stipends
• Acceptance rate : 10.7%
• Location : Ithaca, New York

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, The Grainger College of Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering focuses on research to improve quality of life through innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal engagement. In this flexible PhD program, students are assigned three committee members during the first semester. The student can then consult with these mentors to plan their studies to meet their career goals.

• Courses : Programming language semantics, machine learning for signals, and learning-based robotics.
• Credits : 96, or 64 if you already have an MS
• Duration : 5-7 years
• Financial aid : Grants, fellowships, waivers, loans, and employment
• Acceptance rate : 63.3%
• Location : Urbana, Illinois

Princeton University, The Graduate School

Princeton University is one of the top universities in the country in computer science doctorate programs. This PhD program involves studying six courses, including one each from the three main areas of Artificial Intelligence, Systems, and Theory, which form the program’s core.

• Courses : Programming languages, advanced computer systems, and information theory & applications.
• Credits : 6 courses
• Tuition : $62,860  per year
• Financial aid : Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships
• Acceptance rate : 5.6%
• Location : Princeton, New Jersey

What Do I Need to Get a PhD in Computer Science?

For most programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field; however, exact eligibility requirements vary depending on the school. To earn your PhD, you’ll typically need to complete coursework, qualifying exams, and a dissertation.

What to Consider When Choosing a Computer Science PhD Program

Several US schools and universities offer PhD in computer science programs — choosing the right program for you can feel overwhelming. So, take your time and research the curriculum and specialties for different programs to make sure they match your areas of interest.

If you’re unsure about the areas you want to specialize in, I advise you to read research papers across different fields and discuss career opportunities with people in the industry. It’s also a good idea to look up the faculty from the programs you’re interested in and review their recent papers.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing a computer science PhD:

• Curriculum and specialties offered
• The program’s reputation
• Faculty, their specialties, and reputation
• Cost of tuition and other fees
• Delivery mode: on-campus, online, or hybrid
• Funding options

Related Reading:  Top 10 Best Online PhDs in Computer Science

Why Get a Doctor of Computer Science Degree?

A doctorate in computer science will equip you to become a leading researcher in today’s digital technologies. You’ll also be eligible for senior academic positions with a PhD in the field.

Furthermore, a PhD in computer science allows you to work in various respectable roles. Here are some of the top jobs and average yearly salaries for computer science PhD holders:

• Data Scientist – $99,710
• Chief Data Scientist –  $211,702
• Software Architect – $136,541
• Software Development Manager – $133,534
• Senior Researcher – $107,657

Approximately 2,000 students earn a computer science PhD from US universities each year. The industry demand is much greater than the supply. Furthermore, many PhD candidates are international students who return home after graduation. Therefore, graduates with a PhD in computer science are in high demand in the US.

PhD in Computer Science: Key Facts

How much does a phd in computer science cost.

Tuition varies depending on the program but generally falls between $15,000 and $60,000 per year. Besides the tuition fees, you will also need to factor in additional costs like academic fees, books, other educational resources, and living expenses.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in computer science usually takes 3-7 years to complete.

What Skills Do You Gain from Doing a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in computer science allows students to develop leadership, problem-solving, and research skills related to complex topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics.

Key Takeaways

A PhD in computer science is one of the most in-demand qualifications in today’s hyper-digital world. It can equip you with specialized skills and knowledge to address modern tech problems with innovative solutions.

If you found this article helpful, take a look at our other guides, including the best Master’s in Computer Science programs , the top online PhD programs , and the highest paying PhDs .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a phd in computer science like.

A PhD in computer science typically involves research, coursework, thesis preparation, teaching, and seminars related to computer science subjects. Individual programs may have other requirements.

Can You Get a PhD in Computer Science?

Yes, many universities offer computer science PhD programs . You’ll usually need a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in computer science or a related field to apply.

Is a PhD in Computer Science Worth It?

While a PhD in computer science requires considerable financial investment, it is a valuable qualification in today’s tech-forward world. Plenty of job opportunities and high remuneration levels await a computer science PhD graduate, with the average annual salary of $133,000 per year.

What Does a PhD in Computer Science Do?

A qualified PhD computer science graduate may conduct research in complex computer systems, design and develop programs and applications, or study human-computer interaction to find innovative solutions for society. They may also work in academics, either in teaching, research, or both.

What Can I Do with a PhD in Computer Science?

With a PhD in Computer Science on your resume, you’ll be hired for roles like data scientist, software architect, researcher, or academic professor and build a prestigious, high-paid career.

Which Subject is Best for a PhD in Computer Science?

A wide range of subjects will qualify you to apply for a doctoral degree in computer science. Popular topics include data structures and algorithms, computer systems and organization, and discrete computer science mathematics. The best subject for you depends on your interests and career ambitions.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ 12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ ACBSP Vs AACSB: Which Business Program Accreditations is Better?
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ BA vs BS: What You Need to Know [2024 Guide]
• Lisa Marlin https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/lisa-marlin/ The 19 Best MBA Scholarships to Apply for [2024-2025]

How To Prep Your Resume For Success (When You’ve No Work Experience)

Best neuroscience phd programs: careers, and more [2024], related posts.

• Applying to Big Tech This Year? Here’s How to Ace It.

• 73% of job seekers believe a degree is needed for a well-paying role–but is it?

Tech Talent Crunch: Cities with More Jobs Than Workers

The Most Under-Rated Career Advancement Tip for 2024

Top 5 Best Psychology PhD Programs in 2024

Good News For Early Careers: Skills-Based Hiring is Surging

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

• Breaking Records: Yale Sees Most Selective Grad Admissions Season Yet
• 12 Best Laptops for Computer Science Students
• Is a Master’s Degree Worth It? [2024 Guide]

© 2023 TheGradCafe.com All rights reserved

• Partner With Us
• Results Search
• Submit Your Results
• Write For Us

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Main Navigation
• Skip to Search

Indiana University Indianapolis Indiana University Indianapolis IU Indianapolis

• Undergraduate Majors
• Apply to the Accelerated Program
• Master's Degrees
• Doctoral Degrees & Minors
• Minors & Certificates
• General Education
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Health Informatics
• Health Information Management
• Library & Information Science
• Informatics
• Media Arts and Science
• Study Abroad in Greece
• Study Abroad in Finland
• Micro-Credentials
• Freshman Applicants
• Returning Students
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Program
• Graduate Certificates
• Change or Declare your Major
• Admitted Students
• Student Ambassadors
• Virtual Tour
• Undergraduate Webinars & Information Sessions
• Graduate Student Information Sessions
• Summer Camp
• Earn College Credit
• Biomedical Informatics Challenge
• Computer Science Challenge
• Incoming Undergraduate Scholarships
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Graduate Scholarships
• Accelerated Program Cost & Aid
• Travel Funding
• Tuition Reduction
• Peer Advisors
• Forms & Policies
• Become a Student Leader
• Student Organizations
• Honors Program
• Laptop Requirements
• Equipment Checkout
• Luddy Knowledge Base
• Student Facility Access
• Biomedical Informatics B.S.
• Health Information Management B.S.
• Informatics B.S.
• Media Arts and Science B.S.
• Bioinformatics M.S.
• Health Informatics M.S.
• Applied Data Science M.S.
• Human-Computer Interaction M.S.
• Master of Library and Information Science
• Media Arts and Science M.S.
• Find a Job or Internship
• F-1 Students & Internships
• Library & Information Science Internships
• Internship Checklist
• Forage: Virtual Job Simulations
• Forage: Earn Credit
• Network with LinkedIn
• Big Interview
• Elevator Pitch
• Cover Letter
• Informational Interview
• Interviewing
• Technical Interviewing
• The Offer Process
• The Negotiation Process
• Freelance Work
• Grant Proposal Writing
• Schedule an Appointment
• Request a Career Services Presentation
• Featured Employer Days
• Resume Reviews
• Portfolio Reviews
• Presentations and Workshops
• Employer Career Fair Registration
• Research Centers & Labs
• Undergraduate Research
• Research Events
• Luddy Strategic Plan
• Meet Fred Luddy
• Faculty Openings
• Faculty Directory
• Staff Directory
• Media Requests
• Contact Admissions
• Request Undergraduate Information
• Request Graduate Information
• Get involved
• Advisory Boards
• Advisory Board
• Department Blog
• Strategic Plan
• Multimedia Stories
• News Archive
• Luddy Leads Blog
• Student Showcases
• LIS Industry Speaker Series

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

• Alumni & Giving
• Departments
• News & Blog

Computer science is a rapidly evolving field. Position yourself at its cutting edge.

When you embark on a Ph.D. in Computer Science from IU’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indianapolis, you’ll be conducting research alongside expert faculty mentors. Develop new algorithms, design innovative systems, explore novel applications in your area of interest, and see your work presented at top-tier conferences and published in leading academic journals.

• Degrees & Courses

Computer Science Ph.D.

Challenging and rewarding.

The Ph.D. in Computer Science is ideal for those with solid academic backgrounds who are passionate about computer science and seek to make significant contributions to the field through research and innovation, including:

• Recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science who wish to pursue a career in research or academia.
• Professionals with a master’s degree in computer science or a related field seeking to advance their research skills and expertise to pursue a career in academia, industry, or government research.
• Researchers eager to develop projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer security, or robotics.
• Those interested in pursuing academic careers who aspire to become professors or researchers in computer science.
• Industry or government researchers who want to gain expertise in specialized areas and enhance their skills to take on more advanced research roles.
• Future entrepreneurs seeking to start high-tech ventures requiring advanced knowledge and expertise in computer science research.

Well-positioned for success

Luddy Indianapolis offers the only Computer Science Ph.D. program based in Central Indiana. Anthem, Dow AgroSciences, Eli Lilly, Interactive Intelligence, and Salesforce contribute to the local employer demand for researchers with a Ph.D. in computer science. The job market for graduates with doctoral degrees in Computer Science is expected to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of Computer and Information Research Scientists is projected to increase by 21% from 2021 to 2031, with a median pay of $131,490 per year in 2021.

Meet our faculty

Mohammad Al Hasan

Professor, Computer Science

Spyridon Bakas

Adjunct Associate Professor of Computer Science

Arjan Durresi

Shiaofen Fang

Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Professor, Computer Science, Data Science

Teaching Professor, Computer Science

Associate Professor and Program Director, Computer Science

Get your questions answered

Request information.

Contact our graduate admissions team and get your questions answered.

Meet our student ambassadors

Get to know our student ambassadors and find out what life at Luddy is like.

Information Sessions

Register for a virtual information session.

Ready to get started?

• Register for an info session
• Learn how to apply

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering resources and social media channels

• Schedule a Visit

Additional links and resources

• Degrees & Majors
• Scholarships

Happening at Luddy

• Pre-college Programs

Information For

• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff Intranet

Luddy Indianapolis

Ph.D. Degree

Our ph.d. degree program.

Our GGCS doctoral degree prepares you to solve complex, long-term research problems. You can expect to graduate in four to five years and to work on a large research project, culminating in a dissertation. Our doctoral graduates join industries or go on to careers in academia, either as postdoctoral researchers or assistant professors.

Degree Requirements

• Admission Requirements

Prerequisites In addition to the admission requirements stated above, applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency at the undergraduate level in four fundamental areas of computer science, and mathematics. The specified UC Davis courses exemplify the material:

♦   Computer Architecture --  ECS 154A (Computer Architecture) ♦   Operating Systems -- ECS 150 (Operating Systems and System Programming) ♦   Programming Languages --ECS 140A (Programming Languages) ♦   Theoretical Foundations --ECS 120 (Theory of Computation) and ECS 122A (Algorithm Design and Analysis) ♦   Mathematical Foundations -- ECS 132 (Probability and Statistical Modeling for Computer Science) or MAT 135A (Probability) or STA 131A (Introduction to Probability Theory), and one additional upper-division mathematics course These are referred to as the undergraduate proficiency requirements . A grade of B or higher is required for each course used to satisfy these requirements.

Deficiencies Students may be admitted with one or more deficiencies in the undergraduate proficiency requirements. It is expected that the student will complete the undergraduate proficiency requirements by the time they take their Qualifying Exam (QE).

• Dissertation Plan

GGCS offers Plan B as described under Section 520 in the UC Davis Division Academic Senate Regulations. Plan B specifies a three member (minimum) dissertation committee, an optional final oral examination (made on an individual student basis by the dissertation committee), and an exit seminar.

• Advanced Proficiency Requirements

All students who are in the Ph.D. program, or who expect to work toward a doctorate in computer science at UC Davis, are required to complete the Advanced Proficiency requirement. A student passes this requirement by a high level of achievement in graduate coursework and demonstrating “advanced” proficiency in the graduate breadth requirements. The GGCS breadth requirement includes demonstrated proficiency in four areas of computer science at the graduate level: Architecture, Systems, Theory and Applications.

The student can satisfy the above requirements in one of the following ways:

♦   Completion of a Core course with a grade of A- or better ♦   Demonstration that one has taken a similar graduate course at another institution with a grade of A- or better. A Graduate Advisor must approve this option. Core Courses ♦    Architecture Core   -- ECS 201A Advanced Computer Architecture; ECS 201C Parallel Architectures; EEC 270 Computer Architecture     ♦    Systems Core -- ECS 240 Programming Languages; ECS 251 Operating Systems; ECS 260 Software Engineering ♦    Theory Core -- ECS 220 Theory of Computation; ECS 222A Design and Analysis of Algorithms     ♦    Applications Core  -- ECS 230 Applied Numerical Linear Algebra; ECS 231 Large-scale Scientific Computation; ECS 234 Computational Functional Genomics; ECS 235A Computer and Information Security; ECS 236 Computer Security Intrusion Detection Based Approach; ECS 252 Computer Networks; ECS 256 Performance Evaluation; ECS 265 Distributed Database Systems; ECS 267 Wide-Area Distributed Information Systems; ECS 268 Scientific Data and Workflow Management; ECS 270 Artificial Intelligence; ECS 271 Machine Learning and Discovery; ECS 272 Information Visualization; ECS 274 Automated Deduction; ECS 275A Advanced Computer Graphics; ECS 276 Advanced Volume Visualization; ECS 277 Advanced Visualization; ECS 278 Computer-Aided Geometric Design; ECS 279 Topics in Character Animation Summary 45 units of upper division and graduate coursework are required. Full-time students must enroll for 12 units per quarter including research, academic and seminar units. Per UC regulations students cannot enroll in more than 12 units of graduate level courses (200) or more than 16 units of combined undergraduate and graduate level (100, 200, 300) courses per quarter.

• Special Requirements

The Graduate Group requires all Ph.D. candidates demonstrate at least one quarter of college level teaching experience. We strongly recommend that this includes lecturing or leading a discussion section. In addition, each student is required to participate in an exit seminar, in which the research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar will be administered by the dissertation committee, and will take place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies.

Admissions Committee Completed applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committee, with the assistance of other faculty in the Graduate Group. The Admissions Committee consists of six Graduate Group faculty. Based on a review of the entire application, a recommendation is made to accept or decline the applicant’s request for admission. The recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for final approval of admission. Notification of admissions decisions will be sent by Graduate Studies. Applications are accepted from September (when the admission system opens) through January 15 for the next Fall-entering class.

Graduate Advisors Committee The Graduate Advisors Committee is composed of GGCS faculty members appointed by Graduate Studies. Every student who does not have a Thesis Advisor will be assigned a Graduate Advisor from the Graduate Advisors Committee. Until a student has a Thesis Advisor, the assigned Graduate Advisor will monitor the progress of the student and provide guidance on his/her academic program. Each GGCS graduate student is responsible for meeting with his or her Graduate Advisor at least once per quarter.

Qualifying Examination Committee The student, in consultation with his/her Thesis Advisor, nominate five faculty members to serve on the Examination Committee. The Thesis Advisor must be selected before the Qualifying Examination Committee is formed. The Thesis Advisor must be on the qualifying exam committee but cannot be chair of the committee. The membership of the Qualifying Exam Committee must satisfy the following conditions:

♦   The chair of the committee must be a member of the Academic Senate of UC Davis, and a GGCS member. ♦   At least three members of the committee must be members of the Academic Senate of the University of California and GGCS members. ♦   It is recommended (by the Academic Senate) that one member of the committee be a faculty member outside of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. These nominations are submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for formal appointment in accordance with Graduate Council policy. The Qualifying Exam Committee conducts the exam and submits results to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Dissertation Committee The Dissertation Committee consists of three members who will guide the student in research. Graduate Studies must approve this committee. Guidelines for choosing the members of the dissertation committee are as follows:

♦   At least two of the members must be members of the Academic Senate of the University of California. ♦   At least two of these members must be members of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. ♦   The Chair of this committee must be a member of the Graduate Group in Computer Science. ♦   The Chair of the Dissertation Committee is the student’s Thesis Advisor. ♦   The composition of the dissertation committee is entered on the Advancement to Candidacy Form.

The role of the Dissertation Committee is to advise the doctoral student on the research topic and methods, and then to review the final completed dissertation for acceptance. The Committee Chairperson, the Thesis Advisor, should determine the desires of the individual members regarding assistance with the research and dissertation review at the time the Dissertation Committee is constituted.

Students are expected to meet with their Thesis Advisor at least quarterly . Dissertation committee members are expected to read and comment on a dissertation within four weeks from its submission. This time limit policy does not apply to summer periods for faculty holding nine-month appointments. The student and faculty will coordinate a timeline for the student to present the thesis to the dissertation committee. This timeline must allow all dissertation committee members enough time to fulfill their responsibilities within the four-week deadline.

• Advising Structure and Mentoring

A student’s Thesis Advisor supervises his/her thesis or project, and serves as Chair of the Dissertation Committee. A student’s Graduate Advisor serves as a resource for information on academic requirements, policies, and procedures in the absence of a Thesis Advisor. The Graduate Program Coordinator assists students with appointments, requirements, university policies, and in identifying a Thesis Advisor. Mentoring Guidelines can be found in the graduate student handbook.

• Advancement to Candidacy

Before advancing to candidacy for a doctoral degree, a student must have satisfied all requirements set by the graduate program, must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all course work undertaken (except those courses graded S or U), and must have passed the Qualifying Examination before a committee appointed to administer it. Normally, students advance to candidacy by the end of their 9th quarter; students must pass their QE by the end of the ninth quarter in order to remain eligible for academic appointments (TA, GSR, AI, etc.). The student must file the appropriate paperwork with the Office of Graduate Studies and pay the candidacy fee in order to be officially promoted to PhD Candidacy. Refer to the Graduate Council website for additional details regarding the Doctoral Qualifying Examination.

• Qualifying Examination and Dissertation Requirements

Qualifying Examination General Information To be eligible for the Qualifying Examination, the student must have satisfied all course requirements, have removed all undergraduate deficiencies, and must have at least a 3.5 GPA in courses taken in the program of study. Passing this exam makes the student eligible for advancement to candidacy. The Qualifying Exam should be taken by the ninth quarter and no later than the end of the fifteenth quarter after admission to the PhD program.

The primary purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to validate that the student is academically qualified to conceptualize a research topic, undertake scholarly research, and successfully produce the dissertation required for a doctoral degree. The Qualifying Exam must evaluate the student’s command of the field, ensuring that the student has both breadth and depth of knowledge. It must not focus solely on the proposed dissertation research. In addition, the Qualifying Exam provides an opportunity for the committee to provide important guidance to the student regarding his or her chosen research topic. The Qualifying Examination is a formal, oral examination to ascertain the student’s readiness to conduct PhD-level research in the major area of study.

Written Portion of the Qualifying Exam: the Thesis Proposal Prior to the Qualifying Examination the student must prepare a Thesis Proposal containing a thorough discussion of a proposed thesis topic. This paper must be submitted to the Qualifying Examination Committee at least two weeks prior to the examination. The Thesis Proposal is an independently prepared proposal describing the student’s dissertation-specific research aims, hypotheses, progress to date, and experimental approach. Concepts within the research proposal can be discussed with others (such as the student’s Thesis Advisor and peers), but the writing of the proposal should be solely the student’s work, as the proposal will also serve as evidence of the student’s proficiency in scientific writing. The Qualifying Exam Committee is responsible for assessing that the student’s scholarly preparation and writing proficiency are satisfactory before advancement to candidacy. Furthermore, the Thesis Proposal will provide information that may be discussed during the oral exam.

Oral Portion of the Exam The oral portion of the qualifying exam will be 2-3 hours in length. The examinations differ in structure, depending on the area of research and the members of the examining committee. The student will be asked to give a formal presentation of the thesis proposal. The committee will question the student on this proposal, and will question the student to determine the student’s competence in both the major and minor areas of study.

The committee will evaluate the student’s general qualifications for a position in academia or in industry, the student’s preparation in his/her specific area of study, the student’s previous academic record, performance on specific parts of the examination, and the student’s potential for scholarly research as indicated during the examination and in the student’s publication history.

Outcome of the Exam The committee can issue any of the following grades for the examination:

♦    Pass -- In this case, the student can apply to the Graduate Studies for Advancement to Candidacy for the degree. At this time a dissertation committee is officially selected to direct the student in the research, and to guide the student in the preparation of the dissertation. The committee must be approved by Graduate Studies.

♦    Not Pass  -- In this case, the committee has two options:

     ♦   It can decide that the student’s Thesis Proposal is not sufficient and ask that it be re-thought or re-written. In this case, the committee will ask the student to remedy the problems in the proposal and retake the examination within a specified time frame.      ♦   It can decide that the student’s knowledge within the major and minor areas is not sufficient for continued progress for the PhD. In this case, the committee can ask the student to take some additional coursework and retake the examination within a specified time frame. ♦    Fail -- In this case, the student is not permitted to continue in the Ph.D. program.

The student can only retake the Qualifying Examination once. If a passing grade is not achieved by the second attempt, the student cannot continue in the PhD program. If a unanimous decision takes the form of “Not Pass” or “Fail”, the Chair of the Qualifying Exam Committee must include in its report a specific statement, agreed to by all members of the committee, explaining its decision, the Chair must inform the student of its decision. Having received a “Not Pass” the student may attempt the Qualifying Exam one additional time; the Qualifying Exam report must list the specific conditions and timing for the second exam. After a second examination, a vote of “Not Pass” is unacceptable; only “Pass” or “Fail” is recognized. Should the student receive a “Fail” on the first or second attempt at the exam, the student will be recommended for disqualification from the program to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Dissertation The Ph.D. dissertation demonstrates the ability of the student to carry out an independent original research project of high quality. It reflects a level of attainment in research, not the fulfillment of a list of requirements. An acceptable Ph.D. dissertation is not only an original contribution to the field, but is generally characterized by a broad scope of applicability.

The dissertation must be submitted to each member of the dissertation committee at least one month before the student expects to make requested revisions; committee members are expected to respond within four weeks, not including summer months for nine-month faculty. Informing committee members of progress as writing proceeds helps the members to plan to read the dissertation and provide feedback within this time frame. The dissertation must be approved and signed by all members of the Dissertation Committee before it is submitted to Graduate Studies for final approval.

Filing of the Dissertation with the Office of Graduate Studies is normally the last requirement satisfied by the candidate. The deadlines for completing this requirement are listed each quarter in the campus General Catalog (available online or from the Bookstore). A candidate must be a registered student or on Filing Fee status at the time of filing a dissertation, with the exception of the summer period between the end of the Spring Quarter and the beginning of Fall Quarter. The Dissertation will be prepared, submitted and filed according to regulations instituted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Satisfaction of this requirement must be verified by the Dissertation Committee Chair.

Exit Seminar Each student is required to participate in an Exit Seminar, in which the candidate’s research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar will be administered by the Dissertation Committee and will take place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. Adequate scheduling of the Exit Seminar is the responsibility of the student.

• Normative Time to Degree

It is expected that the student will complete the undergraduate proficiency requirements within the first four quarters of study, the Advanced Proficiency within the first six quarters of study, and the Qualifying Examination between the sixth and ninth quarters of study. Completion of all requirements is normally accomplished in fifteen quarters of study. The maximal time period allowed for completion of each requirement is as follows:

♦   A student’s Program of Study must be submitted and approved by the end of four quarters of study. ♦   The student must complete the Advanced Proficiency Requirements by the end of the sixth quarter of study. ♦   The student must complete the Qualifying Examination by the end of the ninth quarter of study. ♦   The student should complete all requirements for the PhD by the end of the 15th quarter of study. ♦   Students who fail to complete all the requirements within the “normal” time period are referred to the Educational Policy Committee of the Graduate Group. The Committee considers the student’s entire record, including examination scores and letters of support, particularly from the student’s Thesis Advisor. The Committee exercises wide discretion: it may decide that no action is necessary; that the student should be allowed more time in which to complete the requirement; that certain of the requirements should be waived; that certain remedial actions should be taken; or that the student should be advised to leave the program. The committee attaches great weight to the Thesis Advisor’s letter of support. It is therefore extremely important that students involve themselves in research under some faculty member early in the program—preferably by the end of their third quarter.

• Typical Timeline

♦    Year 1 -- Fall: ECS 201A, ECS 293A, ECS 390, ECS 299 -- Winter: ECS 240, ECS 252, ECS 299 -- Spring: ECS 222A, ECS 231, ECS 299 ♦    Year 2 -- Fall: ECS 260, ECS 289G, ECS 299 -- Winter: ECS 251, ECS 271, ECS 299 -- Spring: ECS 272, ECS 299; Advanced Proficiency Requirements completed ♦    Year 3 -- Fall: ECS 299; Program of Study submitted and approved; Application for Qualifying Exam -- Winter: ECS 299; Qualifying Examination; Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy -- Spring: ECS 299 ♦    Years 4 - 6 -- ECS 299; Dissertation Research Completion; Exit Seminar Completion

• Sources of Funding

Financial assistance for graduate study comes in the form of fellowships, Teaching Assistantships (TA), and Graduate Student Research (GSR) positions. The standard form of Ph.D. graduate student support in a 50% TA position for the first three quarters and either a 50% TA or 45% GSR position for the remainder of a student’s academic career. The amount and type of aid that the department can offer varies from year to year depending on the number of TA and GSR positions that are available, the fellowships that the department is authorized to award, and the number of students requesting financial assistance. We strongly encourage all qualified applicants to apply for many external fellowships offered by both government and private agencies.nnn

• PELP, In Absentia and Filing Fee Status

Information about PELP (Planned Educational Leave), In Absentia (reduced fees when researching out of state) and Filing Fee status can be found in the UC Davis Graduate Studies website.

• Leaving the Program Prior to Completion of the Ph.D. Requirements

Should a student leave the program prior to completing the requirements for the Ph.D., he or she may still be eligible to receive the master’s degree if they have fulfilled all the requirements. Students use the Change of Degree Objective form available from the Office of the University Registrar.

Frequently Asked Ph.D. Questions

• How do I get a Ph.D. in computer science?

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy are the satisfactory completion of the advanced proficiency requirements, qualifying examination, completion of an approved program of study, and writing a dissertation approved by your thesis committee. The time frame varies but the following list shows the approximate time frame and sequence to follow:

♦   Typical Time to Degree: 4-5 Years ♦   Undergraduate Proficiency (UGP) Requirements ♦   optionally, Master’s Degree Requirements ♦   Major and Minor Area of Study ♦   10 Graduate Courses (includes Advanced Proficiency Requirements) ♦   optionally, get a Master’s degree along the way ♦   Qualifying Exam (taken when all coursework is complete: 6th-9th quarter of study) ♦   Approved Dissertation and Exit Seminar

• How many courses must I take?

At least ten graduate courses are required, exclusive of seminar (290, 290C, 298) and research (299) units. This may include all courses taken in the Master’s program if applicable. A grade of A- or better in the four core areas, and a grade of B or better must be obtained in all coursework used to satisfy degree requirements.

Can I take courses outside of Computer Science?

Yes, you can take courses outside of computer science. They must be graduate level (2XX) courses, that are 4 units each, related to computer science or your research, if you want them to count towards your degree requirements. Up to three courses (12-units) may be taken outside ECS and counted towards your degree requirements.

Are there any specific courses outside Computer Science that are recommended for a CS graduate student to take?

Yes, there are several courses that GGCS faculty suggest would be appropriate for CS graduate students:

• ♦   BST 227 - Machine Learning Genomics ♦   CMN 275Y - Computational Social Science
• ♦   DES 178 - Wearable Technologies ♦   EEC 244 - Intro to Neuroengineering ♦   EEC 270 - Computer Architecture ♦   EEC 273 - Networking Architecture & Resource Management ♦   MAE 207 - Engineering Experimentation & Uncertainty Analysis ♦   MAE 228 - Introduction to BioMEMS
• ♦   MAT 258A - Numerical Optimization 
• ♦   MAT 258B - Discrete and Mixed-Integer Optimization 

♦   STA 208 - Statistical Methods in Machine Learning ♦   STA 220 - Data & Web Technologies for Data Analysis ♦   STA 221 - Big Data & High Performance Statistical Computing

NOTE: Please keep in mind the following policies related to coursework counting towards the degree requirements:

• What is a Program of Study?

The student, in conjunction with the faculty/dissertation advisor, develops the program of study. The form is available from the graduate student service advisors. For a Ph.D. student, this includes both a major and minor area of study. The major area must include at least thirty units of coursework (six units of the 30 come from 299) that form a consistent program in a research area of Computer Science. The minor area must include at least fifteen units of coursework, including at least three graduate courses, and excludes any 299 units. No course with a grade less than a B can be used on the program of study. When complete, the student must submit the form to the graduate student service advisors for approval from the Educational Policy Committee.

• What is the teaching requirement?

The Graduate Group requires all Ph.D. candidates to demonstrate at least one quarter of college level teaching experience. We strongly recommend that at least one of these quarters includes lecturing or leading a discussion section.

• What is the process for setting up my Qualifying Exam?

At least two months before you plan to take your Examination, find a suitable time when your planned committee members can attend. Allow for approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Next, coordinate a room reservation on COWS. Once the date is set, complete the Qualifying Examination Application. Submit it to the graduate student service advisors at least 5 weeks before your scheduled exam date, who will then get the signatures needed and forward it to the Office of Graduate Studies.

• What is Advancement to Candidacy?

Advancing to candidacy means completing all the prerequisites for doing research toward the degree. For the Ph.D. degree, this means completing all course requirements and passing the Qualifying Exam. Please submit the Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the graduate student service advisors.

• I have questions about preparing and filing my dissertation. Who do I talk to?

For assistance in the preparation of your dissertation, see the Office of Graduate Studies  website on filing your dissertation. You must make an appointment with the Student Affairs Coordinator in order to file your dissertation. 

You are responsible for observing the filing dates and for preparing the dissertation in the proper format. As part of the filing process, you will fill out the University Microfilms International (UMI) Doctoral Dissertation Agreement form on which you indicate your willingness either to have the University supply copies of your dissertation to interested persons immediately, or that such permission should be withheld for a period of time, up to a maximum of three years.

Filing your dissertation is the last step in the process leading to the awarding of your degree. The final copy of your dissertation, which is ultimately deposited in the University Library, becomes a permanent and official record. You have the choice of submitting either your entire manuscript, or only your dissertation abstract, to UMI Dissertation Publishing. Both options provide higher visibility of your achievements. If you submit your entire dissertation to UMI, it will be returned to Shields Library, where it will be bound and stored. The packet of information that was sent to you when we returned your approved candidacy form contained the forms you need to submit with your manuscript.

• What is the filing fee?

The Filing Fee Program is for students who have completed all requirements for degrees except filing theses or taking final examinations, and who are no longer using University facilities. The Filing Fee is a reduced fee, paid in lieu of registration fees. It is assessed only once. The Filing Fee option preserves your candidacy status with the University; however, you are no longer considered a full-time registered student by the University, and are not entitled to the same benefits and privileges as a registered student. You are allowed two quarters plus one extension of Filing Fee. To file, complete the Filing Fee Request and submit to the graduate student service advisors.

• What is the exit seminar?

In the exit seminar, the candidate’s research is presented to the UC Davis academic community. This seminar is administered by the dissertation committee, and takes place after all committee members have approved the dissertation, but (usually) before the dissertation has been filed with the Office of Graduate Studies.

• I am graduating. After I file my dissertation, is there any additional paperwork I need to complete?

Yes! Please see the graduate student service advisors to complete the Graduate Exit Checklist.

• Can I take classes outside Computer Science?

Yes , you may take up to 12-units (3 classes) of electives outside Computer Science in a related area, and they will count towards your Ph.D. degree requirements.

• We’re on your favourite socials!
• PhD Computer Science
• Popular Colleges
• PhD Computer Science Course Overview

PhD Computer Science is the highest level of postgraduate qualification available in the field of Computer Science. PhD in Computer Science is a 4-5 year research programme for those interested in cutting-edge technological advances. PhD in Computer Science is a highly sought-after academic degree because the field of computer science has advanced dramatically in recent years and continues to grow at a remarkable pace. Students pursuing a PhD in Computer Science get a thorough understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the field. 

The PhD Computer Science course syllabus provides students with an understanding of various computer-related topics such as automation engineering and robotics, engineering with electronics and electricity, engineering of systems and controls, and bioinformatics, which serve as the foundation for thinking through more complex issues. The PhD Computer Science program's goal is to train professionals who can adapt to changing times and meet the ever-changing demands of the field of computer science in the future.

The starting salary for a PhD in Computer Science ranges from INR 3.5 to 11.5 LPA on average. Furthermore, a PhD in computer science opens up a wide range of fascinating and diverse career options in industries such as healthcare, technology, finance, and others.

Continue reading to learn more about the various educational institutions that offer PhD programmes in computer science, as well as their eligibility requirements, fees, and so on. 

Table of Contents

Phd computer science latest updates, phd computer science course highlights, why choose a phd computer science degree, what is the difference between phd computer science and phd data science, phd computer science eligibility criteria, phd computer science entrance exams, phd computer science admission process in india, direct phd computer science admission process without entrance exam, phd computer science fees, phd computer science syllabus/subjects, top phd computer science colleges in india, career options after phd computer science.

The latest updates about PhD Computer Science entrance exams are as follows:

The following are the highlights of PhD Computer Science Courses.

• A PhD programme in Computer Science is best for those who are fascinated by the technological advances in the field of computer Science.
• It enables the candidates to discover a broad range of areas of interest while training within the IT subdomains. 
• It creates domain related proficiency through substantial experimentation and investigation.
• It also provides access to a wide range of job opportunities, including leadership roles in IT firms and research positions in both academia and business.

The difference between PhD Computer Science and PhD Data Science is listed below:

To be accepted into the PhD Computer Science programme, applicants must meet certain criteria. The following are the admission requirements for the PhD Computer Science programme:

• The candidate should have scored a minimum 55%marks in the relevant Master's degree from a university, or an equivalent.
• For the SC/ST/OBC and other category candidates, a relaxation of 5% marks or an equivalent grade is allowed.
• Candidates who qualify the SRF, GATE, and NET are given preference over unqualified candidates.

PhD Computer Science Skills Required

The candidate who wish to pursue PhD Computer Science must have the following skills:

• Proficiency in Communication
• Information analysis skills 
• Research skills
• Knowledge of Computers and Technology
• Proficient understanding of programming languages like Python, Ruby, C++, or Java.
• Broad understanding of data structures and algorithms.

Candidates are admitted to numerous schools and universities depending on their performance in the entrance exam. For granting PhD Computer Science admissions, the following entrance exams are conducted by various institutions:

• National Testing Agency Research Entrance Test (NTA RET)
• University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET)
• Council of Scientific & Industrial Research University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-CSIR NET)
• State Level Eligibility Test (SLET)
• Common Entrance Exam for Design (CEED)
• Senior Research Fellow (SRF) exam
• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)     

PhD Computer Science admissions are based on entrance exams administered by the most prestigious universities in India. Candidates who pass the exam administered by the specific university are granted PhD in CS. However, candidates who pass the NTA RET, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, SLET, CEED, SRF, and GATE exams are exempt from the entrance exam at several universities. The following is the common admission procedure for a PhD in computer science followed by various educational institutions:

Step 1: To apply for PhD admission, candidates must complete an online application.

Step 2: Candidates must upload all required documentation online.

Step 3: After completing the form, candidates must pay the application fee. 

Step 4: Candidates should keep up to date on the entrance exam, syllabus, counselling dates, and admit card. Candidates who meet the requirements will receive admit cards with important information such as the exam date, time, and location. 

Step 5: When the entrance exam results are released, the college or university will issue a list based on the cutoff and available seats, as well as personal interview details. 

Step 6: If a candidate is chosen for the personal interview, he or she must immediately pay the course fee and attend the college-hosted orientation and counselling to receive further information.

The majority of universities and colleges hold entrance exams, and admission to PhD  in computer science is granted to those who pass the exam. However, there is an exception where candidates are granted direct admission to PhD Computer Science course without an entrance exam. Direct admission to IIT Ropar PhD course is available to applicants who meet the following requirements:

• PhD admission requires a Master's degree or an MPhil with an aggregate of at least 55% from any recognised university in the country or a foreign university. 
• The candidate must be a BTech/BE final-year student at the Technical Institute with Central Funding.  

To apply for PhD Computer Science or research course, applicants must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Go to the official website of the college or university, review all of the information about the PhD Computer Science course it offers, and select the field of study you want to pursue.

Step 2: Candidates must keep a look out for any admission updates or visit the university's official website to complete their application for admission to the course of their choice.

Step 3: Candidates must then complete and submit their PhD Computer Science application forms in accordance with the educational institution's timeline. Applicants must also submit all required paperwork and the application fee on time in order to be considered for PhD admission.

Step 4: Some colleges and universities may require a research proposal in addition to the application form. The application is submitted to the educational institution's research unit, which reviews it along with the research proposal.

Step 5: Following the review of the PhD Computer Science application, the majority of colleges and universities shortlist the names of candidates who must appear for the entrance exam and other admissions processes that are held to select applicants for admission to the PhD course they offer.

Step 6: Candidates are assigned supervisors or guides for their PhD research after being admitted to a PhD Computer Science course based on their performance in the admission rounds.

PhD Computer Science fees can range from INR 2 to 5 LPA. Course fees may differ between PhD Computer Science colleges. A government-based institute will have lower fees than a private institute due to its scholarships, facilities and infrastructure. 

The PhD Computer Science Fees charged by various educational institutions is as follows:

The PhD Computer Science Syllabus/Subjects are broken down into research and computer science-related topics which are given as follows:

• Research Methodology
• Data Mining
• Machine Learning
• Rough Set Theory
• Fuzzy Logic
• Simulation and modeling
• Web engineering
• Artificial intelligence
• Software architecture and testing
• Thesis report

Candidates who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Computer Science are advised to look into various educational institutions to find one that best fits their educational and research interest. 

The table below lists some of India's most prestigious PhD Computer Science Colleges:

Technology has become a necessity in the twenty-first century, affecting every aspect of human existence. Understanding computers enables researchers to adapt to the ever-changing field of computer science. 

PhD in Computer Science leads to a plethora of interesting and varied job options, which are listed below along with their details:

Salary after PhD Computer Science

The following table shows the average starting salary offered to candidates after completing a PhD in Computer Science:

PhD Computer Science Employment Areas

The top recruiting areas in which candidates with PhD Computer Science are recruited are as follows: 

• Government labs and industry
• Tech companies
• Universities and Colleges

PhD Computer Science Recruiters

The candidates with PhD Computer Science degree are hired and handsomely compensated by following top recruiters: 

• Mahindra Tech
• Kolkata's Jadavpur University
• University of Delhi
• University of Jamia Millia Islamia

PhD Computer Science Degree Scope

A PhD in computer science offers an endless array of opportunities, including the ability to delve deeply into cutting-edge research, solve complex problems, and have a significant impact on a variety of industries. As a result, it's a path of creativity, learning, and development that can result in a rewarding profession.

Related News

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Mahima Gupta

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Aman Agarwal

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Angana Nath

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Supreeta Roy

Related Articles

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Lam Vijaykanth

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Puja Dey

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Shubhangi Pandey

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Shilpa Pradhan

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Aditi Shrivastava

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Yash Dhamija

Feb 21, 2024 | By: Samiksha Rautela

• Common Application form
• Job Ready Courses
• ETP Admissions
• Scholarships
• Visual Stories (English)
• Visual Stories (Hindi)
• Career Compass
• Write a review
• DU Predictor
• Unit Calculator

6th Floor, CollegeDekho Office, Capital Cityscape, Sector 66, Gurugram Haryana 122002

• 1800-572-9877
• [email protected]

Trending Links

• GATE Rank Predictor 2024
• JEE Main College Predictor 2024
• JEE Main Syllabus 2024 PDF
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
• GATE College Predictor 2024
• Visual Stories
• JEE Mains 2024 Mark Vs Percentile
• CBSE Grading System Class 12
• Engineering Colleges in India
• MBA Courses
• Medical Courses

Most Viewed Links

• Master of Arts
• Aeronautical Engineering
• BFIT Dehradun
• Chandigarh University
• Hindi Articles
• Merchant Navy
• Manipal University or Amity University
• List of B.Sc Courses
• SRM University vs VIT Vellore
• JEE Main 2024
• B.ED Course
• Neet vs JEE Main

Courses in india

• B. Tech : B Tech Mechanical Engineering Software Engineering Aeronautical Engineering Electronics and Communication Engineering Chemical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Automobile Engineering B Tech IT Computer Science Engineering
• M. Tech : M Tech M Tech in Data Science M Tech in Computer Science M Tech in Civil Engineering M Tech in Mining Engineering M Tech in Electrical Engineering M Tech in Food Technology M Tech in Chemical Engineering M Tech Geoinformatics M Tech ECE
• MBA : MBA BBA MBA Project management MBA in finance PGDM Executive MBA BBM MBA in Business Analytics MBA in HR MBA in Marketing
• BBA. : BBA BBA Aviation BBA in Finance BBA International Business BBA in Airport Management BBA Logistics BBA in Digital Marketing BBA in Marketing BBA MBA Integrated Course BBA in HR
• LAW : LLB BA LLB BBA LLB BSc LLB LLM course Criminal Law Labour Law Corporate Law Business Law Company Law
• Science : BSc MSc BSc Computer Science Actuarial Science BSc Biotechnology BSc Microbiology BSc IT BSc Forensic Science BSc Chemistry BSc Physics
• Commerce : BCom MCom Banking Course CA Course CFA BAF ACCA Course MFC BFM BBI Company Secretary
• Medical : MBBS MDS BUMS BDS BHMS Doctor of Medicine Doctorate of Medicine BPT Course MPH BAMS
• Para Medical : BPMT Medical Transcription BMLT MPT Biomechanics BVSC BSMS Anesthesia Course Master of Surgery DHMS Master of Physiotherapy
• Hotel Management : MHA BTTM Hospitality Management BHM MBA in Hotel Management Travel and Tourism Management BHMCT BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration Masters in Hotel Management BBA in Hotel Management
• BA : BA Archaeology Company Secretary home science BFA BA Psychology BA English BA english BA Economics
• MA : Master of Arts MPhil MA Hindi MFA MA English MA Psychology MA Economics MA Political Science MA History MA Public Administration
• Media And Mass Communication : Photography Course Journalism Course BMM Fashion Photography BJMS Radio Jockey BSc Visual Communication Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication BA Mass Communication Masters in Mass Communication
• Agriculture : Agricultue BSc Agriculture BSc horticulture MSc agriculture BSc Hons Agri Business Management Diploma in Horticulture BSc Sericulture
• Pharmacy : B Pharma D Pharma Pharm D Course M Pharmacy M Pharm M Pharma Pharmaceutical Analysis M Pharm in Biotechnology B Pharm Hons Pharma D
• Nursing : BSc Nursing GNM Nursing ANM Nursing Post Basic BSc Nursing Nursing Assistant Course OT nursing Course M Phil Nursing MSc Pediatric Nursing MSc in Medical Surgical Nursing Maternity Nursing Course
• Information Technology : MCA Data Science BCA MSc Data Science Ethical Hacking Course MSc IT MBA IT BSc MSc Data Science Computer Hardware Course BBA in Computer Application
• Design : Graphic Designing Interior Designing Animation Jewellery Designing Web Designing Fashion Designing Course Furniture Design Textile Designing Fashion Styling BDes
• Education : B Ed B P ED Diploma in Elementary Education M Ed B EL ED BSc B Ed BA B Ed BEd Special Education MA Education BED in Commerce

Popular Universities

• DOON University
• MNIT Jaipur
• NIT Jalandhar
• NIT Jamshedpur
• NIT Silchar
• TECHNO India University
• TEZPUR University
• University of Hyderabad
• University of Mysore
• VIDYASAGAR University
• ANNA University
• JAYPEE University
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Admissions Information

Thank you for your interest in our CS@CU programs! Please be sure to read through our pages, and complete keyword searches to help you gather information and make the most informed decision possible regarding the next step in your educational career.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Undergraduates wanting to major in computer science first apply through one of four undergraduate schools:

• Columbia College
• Barnard College
• School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
• School of General Studies

  Still have questions/ ready to apply? Click here !   

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Applications received and considered complete by the priority deadlines will be reviewed first. We recommend you submit your application a couple of weeks before the priority deadline to ensure that all materials, including recommendation letters, are received in time for priority review.

* This is NOT a CS MS; it is a degree earned en route to the PhD. CS MS applicants need to follow the Master of Science Deadlines.

MS PROGRAMS

The Master of Science (MS) program is intended for those who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding of computer science. Columbia University and the New York City environment provide excellent career opportunities in multiple industries. The program provides a unique opportunity to develop leading-edge in-depth knowledge of specific computer science disciplines.

MS applicants whose primary interests include software engineering, theory, AI, machine learning, vision/graphics, natural language processing, or other core CS areas should apply to the Computer Science MS Program .

MS applicants whose primary interests include computer architecture, parallel systems, embedded systems, or digital/VLSI design should apply to the Computer Engineering MS Program .

 MS Application Priority Deadlines 

Applications will be accepted after priority deadlines; however, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible after we open the application. 

• Fall: January 15th (Priority), February 15th (Regular)
• Spring: October 15

 Track Options 

  Still have questions? View our CS MS Application FAQs  

DUAL MS IN JOURNALISM AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Admitted students will enroll for a total of five semesters — approximately three in The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and two in the Journalism School. In addition to taking classes already offered at the Journalism and Engineering schools, students will attend a seminar and workshop designed specifically for the dual degree program. The seminar will teach students about the impact of digital techniques on journalism; the emerging role of citizens in the news process; the influence of social media; and the changing business models that will support news gathering. In the workshop, students will use a hands-on approach to delve deeply into information design, focusing on how to build a site, section, or application from concept to development, ensuring the editorial goals are kept uppermost in mind.

  Want to learn more? Visit the program website !  

PHD PROGRAM

A small number of highly qualified students are admitted each year to the PhD Program in Computer Science. Admission is very competitive, based primarily on research-oriented reference letters, academic grades, and overall experience and record. Applicants need not already hold a master’s degree; bachelor’s degree-level applicants are also encouraged to apply.

Most admitted students receive full financial support through Graduate Research Assistantships, which consist of a monthly stipend plus full tuition exemption (continuation of support is, of course, contingent upon the student’s satisfactory progress in the PhD Program and availability of funding). In addition, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science awards a small number of prestigious “Presidential Distinguished Fellowships.” These fellowships provide full financial support to their recipients. Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek external funding, such as government and industry fellowships. Also, Columbia rents low-cost subsidized apartments near campus for both single students and students with families.

All PhD students are expected to participate in departmental and laboratory activity full-time on-campus   throughout the program, except possibly for summer internships elsewhere. Therefore, the department does not normally consider admission of part-time students.

Also, note that it is not possible to participate in the PhD Program through the Columbia Video Network .

 HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY TO THE PHD PROGRAM 

All applications to our PhD Program must be made electronically . The online application system is available on the SEAS Admissions website . The deadlines for the submission of your fully completed application are:

• Starting the PhD Program in the Spring semester: apply by November 15 of the previous year
• Starting the PhD Program in the Fall semester: apply by December 15 of the previous year

You can still apply after these deadlines. However, be aware that applications are usually reviewed soon after the deadline, so late applications may not be processed as quickly or have the best chance of getting funding from our department.

 HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION 

The SEAS Admissions website contains detailed information about all aspects of the application process.

You are also encouraged to investigate the research conducted in the Department of Computer Science prior to application. In particular, think about which faculty members share your research interests and also look at the research group homepages . Feel free to contact potential faculty advisors by email to request information about their recent research and publications and to ask about opportunities in their research groups or labs.

Finally, become familiar with our PhD degree requirements .

If you are interested in learning more about a day in the life of our PhD students, check out the Demystifying the Dissertation: PhD Research Discussions seminar series, which highlights several Computer Science PhD students. In their videos, these students discuss their experiences and research projects.

 COMPUTER SCIENCE PhD PRE-SUBMISSION APPLICATION REVIEW (PAR) PROGRAM 

The PhD PAR program offers a one-time review of an applicant’s Personal Statement and CV. The review is done by a current computer science PhD student. For more information, please visit PhD Pre-Submission Application Review Program .

We receive an enormous volume of emails with application-related questions, so read the FAQ page carefully before sending us an email . Questions about particular research groups or individual faculty members should be directed to the appropriate faculty members by email.

Updated 11/06/2023

Find open faculty positions here .

Computer Science at Columbia University

Upcoming events, class day graduate ceremony.

Sunday 3:00 pm

Baker Athletics Complex, 533 W 218th St, New York, NY 10034

Class Day Undergraduate Ceremony

Monday 11:45 am

CS Awards Ceremony and Celebration

Monday 1:00 pm

CSB 451 CS Auditorium

In the News

Press mentions, dean boyce's statement on amicus brief filed by president bollinger.

President Bollinger announced that Columbia University along with many other academic institutions (sixteen, including all Ivy League universities) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York challenging the Executive Order regarding immigrants from seven designated countries and refugees. Among other things, the brief asserts that “safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities.”

This recent action provides a moment for us to collectively reflect on our community within Columbia Engineering and the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world. It is a great benefit to be able to gather engineers and scientists of so many different perspectives and talents – all with a commitment to learning, a focus on pushing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery, and with a passion for translating our work to impact humanity.

I am proud of our community, and wish to take this opportunity to reinforce our collective commitment to maintaining an open and collegial environment. We are fortunate to have the privilege to learn from one another, and to study, work, and live together in such a dynamic and vibrant place as Columbia.

Mary C. Boyce Dean of Engineering Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

{{title}} {{fullname}}

Courses This Semester

• {{title}} ({{dept}} {{prefix}}{{course_num}}-{{section}})

• Top Colleges
• Top Courses
• Entrance Exams
• Admission 2024
• Study Abroad
• Study in Canada
• Study in UK
• Study in USA
• Study in Australia
• Study in Germany
• IELTS Material
• Scholarships
• Sarkari Exam
• Visual Stories
• College Compare
• Write a review
• Login/ Register
• Login / Register

Ph.D Computer Science Syllabus and Subjects

PhD in Computer Science duration is 3 to 5 years long doctorate course. PhD Computer Science syllabus is divided semester-wise with a yearly based exam. By the end of the PhD Computer Science doctorate program, students will be prepared for careers in banking, IT Companies, educational institutions, research and development, architecture, and many more. PThe syllabus of PhD Computer Science doctorate program offers both theoretical and practical knowledge through its core courses and electives. The PhD Computer Science syllabus covers topics such as computer architecture, data field and structures, complexity and advanced algorithms, statistical methods in AI, and programming language principles.

Semester Wise PhD Computer Science Syllabus

The PhD program in Computer Science has a duration of 3-5 years. The PhD Computer Science syllabus is divided into six to ten semesters with an annual exam. PhD Computer Science syllabus has been designed to prepare students to learn techniques and methods commonly used in the IT sector.

As part of the curriculum, students study a range of topics, including computer architecture, data field and structures, complexity and advanced algorithms, statistical methods in AI, programming language principles, design and analysis of algorithms, optimization methods, principles of information security, operating systems, and distributed systems.

In addition, students should enroll in courses related to computer science in addition to the standard curriculum. Students develop specialized expertise by taking elective courses in advanced computer science techniques. Students can earn PhD Computer Science degrees that meet both their professional and academic needs. The PhD Computer Science curriculum emphasizes the latest developments in research. The PhD Computer Science syllabus PDF can be downloaded online for free. The following is the PhD Computer Science syllabus semester-wise: 

PhD Computer Science Course Subjects 

Doctoral Programs in Computer Science last for 3-5 years. The PhD Computer Science syllabus is divided into six to ten semesters with an annual exam. PhD Computer Science course subjects allow students to learn computer science techniques that can be applied to the workplace. PhD Computer Science subjects are highly regarded in the IT field. Students enrolled in PhD Computer Science courses gain a thorough understanding of computer scientists' skills and techniques.

The PhD Computer Science includes subjects such as computer security, database systems, compilers, software engineering, computational theory, along with the topics related to the Doctorate of Philosophy in Computer Science. In order for students to become familiar with PhD Computer Science and build their knowledge, the curriculum is semester-based. In addition to classroom lectures, students will take part in lab sessions to gain experience in advanced options. The three to five-year program offers more diverse electives and academic core subjects. The following are the PhD Computer Science subjects list: 

• Database Systems
• Computer Networks
• Advanced Algorithms for Graph and Combinatorial Optimization Problems
• Advanced Database Theory and Applications
• Advanced Image Processing
• Advanced Operating Systems
• Computer Vision
• Data Mining
• Database Management Systems
• Computational Algebra
• Information and Coding Theory
• Pattern Recognition and Image Processing
• Machine Learning: Theory and Practice

PhD Computer Science Course Structure 

A PhD Computer Science takes three to five years to complete. During a PhD in Computer Science, the curriculum is divided by six to ten semesters and the exam is held annually. There are several elective and core courses offered in the PhD Computer Science program. The first year of PhD subject study focuses on introducing students to the fundamentals.

During the second year, students study a specific subject within a PhD Computer Science course related to their specialization. Additional laboratory sessions are available in the PhD Computer Science courses to enhance theoretical understanding.

Doctorate of Philosophy in Computer Science students study design and analysis of algorithms, optimization methods, principles of information security, operating systems, and distributed systems. Students will be prepared for greater responsibilities in their careers upon completion of the PhD Computer Science course. A research project must be completed by the end of the semester in order to gain practical and theoretical skills. As a general overview, we have the following structure: 

• VI to X Semesters
• Core Subjects
• Elective Subjects
• Practical Workshops
• Research Project/Thesis Submission

PhD Computer Science Teaching Methodology and Techniques 

In the PhD Computer Science curriculum, new technologies are integrated into the teaching of computer science. As well as lectures and practicals, students have the opportunity to take electives from a wide range of specializations. Students are required to complete internships or training in their areas of study as part of their core curriculum. By teaching methodologies, skills for the workplace can be developed. Alternatives to traditional classroom instruction include using emerging technologies. Teaching methods include the following in general: 

• Traditional Classroom Method
• Class Projects
• Problem Solving Approach
• Computer Assisted Learning
• Brainstorming
• Audio Visuals
• Virtual Lab Exercises
• Discussion Method
• Industrial Visit

PhD Computer Science Projects 

The PhD Computer Science curriculum includes research projects that help students gain experience managing projects in IT companies. PhD Computer Science projects will teach students about factors that influence the success of research projects and strategies for implementing them. PhD Computer Science students have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by networking with IT companies. To gain practical and theoretical skills, students must complete a research project by the end of the semester. These are some of the most popular PhD Computer Science project topics: 

• Development of Graph- Embedding Techniques for Biomedical Knowledge Graphs.
• Impact of Visual Images on Verbal Fluency in People Living with Dementia.
• Causal Models for Mental Health Interventions that are Interactive.
• The Learning of User Models in Human-in -the Loop Machine Learning.
• Automated Experimental Design with Humans in the Loop.
• Secure and Privacy-Preserving FAIR Data Vault Aggregation and Analysis.
• Masters by Research Sponsored by Business with SDG Changemakers.
• Studying Fall Risk in Parkinson’s Disease Patients in Real-Life Settings.
• Robert Gordon University Presents Natural Language Generation for the ISee Explainable AI Platform.
• The Foundational Theories of Effective Types.
• The Development of an Intervention to Protect Older People from Cybercrime.

PhD Computer Science Course Reference Books 

Both online and offline book stores offer a variety of titles and publishers for PhD Computer Science books. All major topics are covered in PhD Computer Science course books, along with background information on various computer science fields. These reference books can be downloaded online for free in PDF format and are meant to clarify concepts. Students enrolled in a PhD Computer Science program may have different coursebooks depending on the edition. Purchasing reference books is a wise investment after thorough research. The following books would be helpful to students pursuing a PhD Computer Science course: 

Get Free Scholarship worth 25000 INR

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

51 Best Colleges for Computer Science – 2024

May 8, 2024

The CS major is exploding at colleges and universities across the United States and gaining admission at any of the best colleges for computer science is highly competitive. The computer science explosion extends even beyond the higher education world as more and more public k-12 systems are requiring that every student learns how to code. These trends are a recognition of the tech-heavy nature of modern industry as well as modern life in general. Attending any of the Best Colleges for Computer Science that cracked our list will set graduates up for a rewarding and lucrative tech career.

Methodology 

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Computer Science.

Salary Information

Want to know how much money graduates of the top CS schools make when they begin their careers? For each college listed (and hundreds of additional schools), you can view the starting salaries for computer science majors .

Best Colleges for Computer Science

Here’s a quick preview of the first ten computer science institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2) Stanford University

3) California Institute of Technology

4) University of California, Berkeley

5) Columbia University

6) University of Michigan

7) Duke University

8) Harvey Mudd College

9) Georgia Institute of Technology

10) Princeton University

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the area of CS and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best computer science colleges, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—the university’s:

• Cost of Attendance
• Acceptance Rate
• Median  SAT
• Median  ACT
• Retention Rate
• Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

• Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
• Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Cambridge, MA

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates pursue one of 57 majors and 59 minors at this world-class research institution that continues to be one of the world’s most magnetic destinations for math and science geniuses.  The student-to-faculty ratio is an astonishing 3-to-1, and over two-fifths of all class sections have single-digit enrollments, and 70% of courses contain fewer than twenty students. The highest numbers of degrees conferred in 2022 were in the following majors: engineering (31%), computer science and engineering (28%), mathematics (10%), and the physical sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 saw 29% of its members enter the world of employment and 43% continue on their educational paths. The top employers included Accenture, Amazon, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Google, General Motors, the US Navy, Apple, Bain & Company, and McKinsey. The mean starting salary for an MIT bachelor’s degree holder was $95,000. The most frequently attended graduate schools are a who’s who of elite institutions including MIT itself, Stanford, Caltech, Harvard, and the University of Oxford.

• Enrollment: 4,657
• Cost of Attendance: $82,730
• Median SAT: 1550
• Median ACT: 35
• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Retention Rate: 99%
• Graduation Rate: 95%

Stanford University

• Palo Alto, CA

Academic Highlights: Stanford has three undergraduate schools: the School of Humanities & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences. 69% of classes have fewer than twenty students, and 34% have a single-digit enrollment. Programs in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, international relations, and economics are arguably the best anywhere. In terms of sheer volume, the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (17%), computer science (16%), engineering (15%), and interdisciplinary studies (13%).

Professional Outcomes: Stanford grads entering the working world flock to three major industries in equal distribution: business/finance/consulting/retail (19%); computer, IT (19%); and public policy and service, international affairs (19%). Among the companies employing the largest number of recent grads are Accenture, Apple, Bain, Cisco, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey, Microsoft, and SpaceX. Other companies that employ hundreds of Cardinal alums include LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Airbnb. Starting salaries for Stanford grads are among the highest in the country.

• Enrollment: 8,049 (undergraduate); 10,236 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,833
• Median SAT: 1540
• Retention Rate: 98%

California Institute of Technology

• Pasadena, CA

Academic Highlights: Across all divisions, there are 28 distinct majors. Possessing an absurdly favorable 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, plenty of individualized attention is up for grabs. Class sizes are not quite as tiny as the student-to-faculty ratio might suggest, but 70% of courses enroll fewer than twenty students, and 28% enroll fewer than ten. Computer science is the most popular major, accounting for 38% of all degrees conferred. Engineering (30%), the physical sciences (20%), and mathematics (6%) also have strong representation.

Professional Outcomes: Caltech is a rare school that sees six-figure average starting salaries for its graduates; in 2022, the median figure was $120,000. Forty-three percent of recent grads went directly into the workforce and found homes at tech giants such as Google, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta. A healthy 46% of those receiving their diplomas in 2022 continued directly on the higher education path, immediately entering graduate school. Ninety-seven percent of these students were admitted to one of their top-choice schools.

• Enrollment: 982
• Cost of Attendance: $86,886
• Median SAT: Test Blind
• Median ACT: Test Blind
• Acceptance Rate: 3%
• Graduation Rate: 94%

University of California, Berkeley

• Berkeley, CA

Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering, the College of Environmental Design, the College of Natural Resources, and the Haas School of Business. Many departments have top international reputations including computer science, engineering, chemistry, English, psychology, and economics. 22% of sections contain nine or fewer students, and over 55% of students assist faculty with a research project or complete a research methods course.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 49% of Cal’s Class of 2022 had already secured employment, and 20% were headed to graduate school. Business is the most popular sector, attracting 62% of employed grads; next up are industrial (17%), education (8%), and nonprofit work (7%). The median starting salary was $86,459 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, and Meta, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

• Enrollment: 32,831 (undergraduate); 12,914 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $48,574 (in-state); $82,774 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 11%
• Retention Rate: 96%

Columbia University

• New York, NY

Academic Highlights: Columbia offers 100+ unique areas of undergraduate study as well as a number of pre-professional and accelerated graduate programs.  Class sizes at Columbia are reasonably small and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable; however, in 2022, it was revealed that the university had been submitting faulty data in this area. It is presently believed that 58% of undergraduate courses enroll 19 or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (22%), computer science (15%), engineering (14%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Examining the most recent graduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science, 73% had found employment within six months, and 20% had entered graduate school. The median starting salary for graduates of Columbia College/Columbia Engineering is above $80,000. Many graduates get hired by the likes of Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Google, Citi, McKinsey, and Microsoft.

• Enrollment: 8,832
• Cost of Attendance: $89,587

University of Michigan

• Ann Arbor, MI

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges, and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) enrolls the majority of students. The Ross School of Business offers highly rated programs in entrepreneurship, management, accounting, and finance. The College of Engineering is also one of the best in the country. By degrees conferred, engineering (15%), computer science (14%), and the social sciences (11%) are most popular. A solid 56% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school, with healthcare, education, law, banking, research, nonprofit work, and consulting being the most popular sectors. Within three months, 99% of Ross grads are employed with a median salary of $90k. Top employers include Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, EY, Morgan Stanley, PwC, Deloitte, and Amazon.  Within six months, 96% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $84k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta employ the greatest number of alumni.

• Enrollment: 32,695 (undergraduate); 18,530 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,450 (in-state); $76,294 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1470
• Median ACT: 33
• Acceptance Rate: 18%
• Retention Rate: 97%
• Graduation Rate: 93%

Duke University

Academic Highlights: The academic offerings at Duke include 53 majors, 52 minors, and 23 interdisciplinary certificates. Class sizes are on the small side—71% are nineteen or fewer, and almost one-quarter are less than ten. A stellar 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps keep classes so reasonable even while catering to five figures worth of graduate students. Computer Science is the most popular area of concentration (11%), followed by economics (10%), public policy (9%), biology (8%), and computer engineering (7%).

Professional Outcomes: At graduation, approximately 70% of Duke diploma-earners enter the world of work, 20% continue into graduate schools, and 2% start their own businesses. The industries that attract the largest percentage of Blue Devils are tech (21%), finance (15%), business (15%), healthcare (9%), and science/research (6%). Of the 20% headed into graduate school, a hefty 22% are attending medical school, 18% are in PhD programs, and 12% are entering law school. The med school acceptance rate is 85%, more than twice the national average.

• Enrollment: 6,640
• Cost of Attendance: $85,238
• SAT Range: 1490-1570
• ACT Range: 34-35
• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Graduation Rate: 97%

Harvey Mudd College

• Claremont, CA

Academic Highlights: While 62% of courses have an enrollment under 20, another 32% enroll between 20 and 39 students. Regardless, Mudd prides itself on offering graduate-level research opportunities and experiential learning to all undergrads. Only six majors are offered: biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics. All are incredibly strong. Students also have the option to combine certain disciplines into what amounts to a double major.

Professional Outcomes: Seventy-two percent of the Class of 2022 planned on entering a job right after receiving their bachelor’s degree. The highest number of recent Harvey Mudd graduates are scooped up by the following companies (in order of representation): Meta, Microsoft, and Caltech. Graduates average an impressive $117,500 starting salary, a phenomenal number even when accounting for the preponderance of STEM majors. Many Harvey Mudd grads—20% in 2022—go directly into graduate school programs.

• Enrollment: 906
• Cost of Attendance: $89,115
• Median SAT: 1530
• Acceptance Rate: 13%
• Graduation Rate: 92%

Georgia Institute of Technology

• Atlanta, GA

Academic Highlights: Georgia Tech’s engineering and computer science programs are at the top of any “best programs” list. Being a large research university, the student-to-faculty ratio is a less-than-ideal 22:1, leading to some larger undergraduate class sections. In fact, 49% of courses had enrollments of more than thirty students in 2022-23. On the other end of the spectrum, 8% of sections had single-digit enrollments. In terms of total number of degrees conferred, the most popular areas of study are engineering (51%), computer science (21%), and business (9%).

Professional Outcomes: More than three-quarters of recent grads had already procured employment by the time they were handed their diplomas. You will find graduates at every major technology company in the world. The median salary reported by that group was $80,000. Many remain on campus to earn advanced engineering degrees through Georgia Tech, but the school’s reputation is such that gaining admission into other top programs including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech.

• Enrollment: 18,416
• Cost of Attendance: $29,950 (In-State); $52,120 (Out-of-State)
• Acceptance Rate: 17%

Princeton University

• Princeton, NJ

Academic Highlights: 39 majors are available at Princeton. Just under three-quarters of class sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 31% have fewer than ten students. Princeton is known for its commitment to undergraduate teaching, and students consistently rate professors as accessible and helpful. The Engineering Department is widely recognized as one of the country’s best, as is the School of Public and International Affairs.

Professional Highlights: Over 95% of a typical Tiger class finds their next destination within six months of graduating. Large numbers of recent grads flock to the fields of business and engineering, health/science, & tech. Companies presently employing hundreds of Tiger alumni include Google, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and Meta. The average salary ranges from $40k (education, health care, or social services) to $100k (computer/mathematical positions). Between 15-20% of graduating Tigers head directly to graduate/professional school.

• Enrollment: 5,604 (undergraduate); 3,238 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,700
• Graduation Rate: 98%

University of California, San Diego

• San Diego, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 140+ undergraduate majors offered at UCSD, and all students join one of eight undergraduate colleges meant to forge flourishing communities within the larger university. Biology has the highest representation of all majors (19%) followed by engineering (12%), the social sciences (11%), and computer science (9%). UCSD’s computer science and engineering programs have stellar reputations in the corporate and tech communities, and programs in biology, economics, and political science are among the best anywhere.

Professional Outcomes: Employers of recent graduates included the Walt Disney Company, Tesla, NBC Universal, PwC, Northrop Grumman, and EY. More than 1,000 current Google employees are UC San Diego alumni, and Qualcomm, Amazon, and Apple all employ 500+ each. The median early career salary is $65,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country. UCSD also fares well in measures of its return-on-investment potential.

• Enrollment: 33,096 (undergraduate); 8,386 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,830 (in-state); $64,404 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 25%
• Retention Rate: 93%
• Graduation Rate: 88%

University of California, Los Angeles

• Los Angeles, CA

Academic Highlights: UCLA offers 125 majors in 100+ academic departments, and more than 60 majors require a capstone experience that results in the creation of a tangible product under the mentorship of faculty members. The most commonly conferred degrees are in the social sciences (25%), biology (16%), psychology (11%), mathematics (8%), and engineering (7%). Departmental rankings are high across the board, especially in computer science, engineering, film, fine and performing arts, mathematics, and political science.

Professional Outcomes: UCLA grads flow most heavily into the research, finance, computer science, and engineering sectors. High numbers of recent grads can be found at Disney, Google, EY, Teach for America, Amazon, and Oracle. Hundreds also can be found at Bloomberg, Deloitte, Mattel, Oracle, and SpaceX. The average starting salary exceeds $55,000. 16% of recent grads enrolled directly in a graduate/professional school, with other CA-based institutions like Stanford, Pepperdine, USC, Berkeley, and Loyola Marymount being the most popular.

• Enrollment: 33,040 (undergraduate); 15,010 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $38,517 (in-state); $71,091 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 9%

Harvard University

Academic Highlights: There are 50 undergraduate fields of study referred to as concentrations; many are interdisciplinary. Even with a graduate population of over 14,000 to cater to, undergraduate class sizes still tend to be small, with 42% of sections having single-digit enrollments and 71% being capped at nineteen. Economics, government, and computer science are the three most popular areas of concentration at Harvard. Biology, chemistry, physics, math, statistics, sociology, history, English, and psychology all sit atop most departmental ranking lists.

Professional Outcomes: The Crimson Class of 2022 saw 15% of students head directly into graduate/professional school. Of the graduates entering the world of work (virtually everyone else), 58% were entering either the consulting, finance, or technology field. Over 1,000 Harvard alumni presently work for Google and over 500 for Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. Turning our attention to those moving on to graduate school, Harvard grads with at least a 3.5 GPA typically enjoy acceptance rates into medical school of 90% or greater.

• Enrollment: 7,240
• Cost of Attendance: $79,450

Cornell University

Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.

• Enrollment: 15,735
• Cost of Attendance: $88,150
• Median SAT: 1520
• Median ACT: 34
• Acceptance Rate: 7%

University of Southern California

Academic Highlights : There are 140 undergraduate majors and minors within the Dornsife College of Arts & Sciences alone, the university’s oldest and largest school. The Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and programs in communication, the cinematic arts, and the performing arts are highly acclaimed. Popular areas of study are business (22%), social sciences (11%), visual and performing arts (11%), communications/journalism (9%), and engineering (8%). Most courses enroll 10-19 students, and USC does an excellent job facilitating undergraduate research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of undergrads experience positive postgraduation outcomes within six months of earning their degree. The top five industries entered were finance, consulting, advertising, software development, and engineering; the median salary across all majors is an astounding $79k. Presently, between 300 and 1,500 alumni are employed at each of Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and Meta. Graduate/professional schools enrolling the greatest number of 2022 USC grads include NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, and UCLA.

• Enrollment: 20,699 (undergraduate); 28,246 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,921
• Median SAT: 1510
• Acceptance Rate: 12%

Brown University

• Providence, RI

Academic Highlights: Students must choose one of 80+ “concentration programs,” but there are no required courses. Class sizes tend to be small—68% have fewer than twenty students—and 35% are comprised of nine or fewer students. Biology, economics, computer science, mathematics, and engineering are among the most popular areas of concentration at Brown; however, it is hard to distinguish any one program, because Brown possesses outstanding offerings across so many disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: Soon after receiving their Brown diplomas, 69% of graduates enter the world of employment. Companies employing the greatest number of Brown alums include Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, Apple, McKinsey & Company, and Bain & Company. The Class of 2022 saw 27% of graduates go directly into graduate/professional school. Right out of undergrad, Brown students boasted an exceptional 81% admission rate to med school and an 81% admission rate to law school.

• Enrollment: 7,639
• Cost of Attendance: $84,828
• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Graduation Rate: 96%

Carnegie Mellon University

• Pittsburgh, PA

Academic Highlights: There are a combined 80+ undergraduate majors and 90 minors available across the six schools. Impressively, particularly for a school with more graduate students than undergrads, CMU boasts a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, with 36% containing single digits. In a given school year, 800+ undergraduates conduct research through the University Research Office. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (21%), computer science (16%), mathematics (12%), business (10%), and visual and performing arts (9%).

Professional Outcomes: By the end of the calendar year in which they received their diplomas, 66% of 2022 grads were employed, and 28% were continuing to graduate school. The companies that have routinely scooped up CMU grads include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, McKinsey, and Deloitte. With an average starting salary of $105,194, CMU grads outpace the average starting salary for a college grad nationally. Of those pursuing graduate education, around 20% typically enroll immediately in PhD programs.

• Enrollment: 7,509
• Cost of Attendance: $84,412

Swarthmore College

• Swarthmore, PA

Academic Highlights: Swarthmore offers forty undergraduate programs and runs 600+ courses each academic year. Small, seminar-style courses are the norm—an outstanding 33% of sections enroll fewer than ten students, and 70% contain a maximum of nineteen students. Social science degrees are the most commonly conferred, accounting for 24% of all 2022 graduates. Future businessmen/women, engineers, and techies are also well-positioned, given Swat’s incredibly strong offerings in economics, engineering, and computer science.

Professional Outcomes: 68% of Class of 2022 grads entered the workforce shortly after graduation. Popular industries included education (17%), consulting (16%), and financial services (13%); the median starting salary was $60,000. Google is a leading employer of Swarthmore grads followed by Amazon, Goldman Sachs, IBM, and a number of the top universities.  18% of 2022 grads pursued advanced degrees, with 35% pursuing a PhD, 35% entering master’s programs, 10% heading to law school, and 7% matriculating into medical school.

• Enrollment: 1,625
• Cost of Attendance: $81,376
• Median SAT: 1500

The University of Texas at Austin

Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 150 majors, including those at the Cockrell School of Engineering, one of the most heralded undergraduate engineering schools around, and The McCombs School of Business, which dominates in the specialty areas of accounting and marketing. The computer science department is also top-ranked. In terms of degrees conferred, engineering is tied with biology (12%) followed by communication (11%), business (11%), and the social sciences (8%). The elite Plan II Honors Program is one of the best in the country.

Professional Outcomes: Within the College of Liberal Arts, six months after graduating, 68% of Longhorns are employed and 24% have entered graduate school. The for-profit sector attracts 65% of those employed while 19% enter public sector employment and 16% pursue jobs at a nonprofit. Major corporations that employ more than 500 UT Austin grads include Google, Meta, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, and Apple. Engineering majors took home a median income of $79k and business majors took home $70k.

• Enrollment: 41,309 (undergraduate); 11,075 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $30,752-$34,174 (in-state); $61,180-$69,310 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1430
• Median ACT: 32
• Acceptance Rate: 31%
• Retention Rate: 95%

University of California, Irvine

Academic Highlights: UCI offers eighty undergrad programs as well as many opportunities for personal connection; 56% of all sections enroll 19 or fewer students and over 60% of students conduct a research project. The most commonly conferred degrees are the social sciences (16%), business (12%), psychology (11%), and biology (9%). The Samueli School of Engineering has a solid reputation as does the Bren School, the only independent computer science school in the UC system. Programs in public health and biological sciences earn very high marks.

Professional Outcomes: Accounting, aerospace, internet and software, K-12 education, real estate, and retail are among the industries attracting the greatest number of Anteaters. Companies employing large numbers of recent grads include Boeing, the Walt Disney Company, Google, EY, and Microsoft. Hundreds of alumni are also found at Kaiser Permanente, Meta, Apple, Edwards Lifesciences, and Deloitte. The median salary is $69,000, with CS grads earning close to $120k right off the bat. UCI has a very strong reputation for premed.

• Enrollment: 28,661 (undergraduate); 7,275 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $40,202 (in-state); $72,776 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 26%
• Retention Rate: 91%
• Graduation Rate: 87%

Williams College

• Williamstown, MA

Academic Highlights: The school’s 25 academic departments offer 36 majors and a number of concentrations rather than minors. An unparalleled 40% of courses have fewer than ten students enrolled; the median class size is 12 students. Programs in economics, English, history, math, and political science are especially renowned, and the greatest number of degrees are conferred in the social sciences (26%), the physical sciences (10%), math and statistics (9%), psychology (9%), and computer science (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Among the Class of 2022, 92% were employed or continuing their educational journey within six months of graduating. Business and education typically attract the most students, with popular companies/organizations including Apple, Google, Goldman Sachs, The New York Times Co., the Peace Corps, and Teach for America. The median annual income for 2022 grads was $75,000. 75% pursue an advanced degree within five years of leaving Williams, with the most frequently attended graduate programs being Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.

• Enrollment: 2,152 (undergraduate); 53 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $81,160
• Acceptance Rate: 8%

Yale University

• New Haven, CT

Academic Highlights: Yale offers 80 majors, most of which require a one- to two-semester senior capstone experience. Undergraduate research is a staple, and over 70% of classes—of which there are over 2,000 to choose from—have an enrollment of fewer than 20 students, making Yale a perfect environment for teaching and learning. Among the top departments are biology, economics, global affairs, engineering, history, and computer science. The social sciences (26%), biology (11%), mathematics (8%), and computer science (8%) are the most popular areas of concentration.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after graduating, 73% of the Yale Class of 2022 had entered the world of employment and 18% matriculated into graduate programs. Hundreds of Yale alums can be found at each of the world’s top companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. The most common industries entered by the newly hired were finance (20%), research/education (16%), technology (14%), and consulting (12%). The mean starting salary for last year’s grads was $81,769 ($120k for CS majors). Nearly one-fifth of students immediately pursue graduate school.

• Enrollment: 6,590 (undergraduate); 5,344 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $87,705

Johns Hopkins University

• Baltimore, MD

Academic Highlights: With 53 majors as well as 51 minors, JHU excels in everything from its bread-and-butter medical-related majors to international relations and dance. Boasting an enviable 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and with 78% of course sections possessing an enrollment under 20, face time with professors is a reality. Many departments carry a high level of clout, including biomedical engineering, chemistry, English, and international studies. Biology, neuroscience, and computer science, which happen to be the three most popular majors, can also be found at the top of the national rankings.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 saw 94% of graduates successfully land at their next destination within six months of exiting the university; 66% of graduates entered the world of employment and a robust 19% went directly to graduate/professional school. The median starting salary across all majors was $80,000 for the Class of 2022. JHU itself is the most popular choice for graduate school. The next most frequently attended institutions included Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

• Enrollment: 6,044
• Cost of Attendance: $86,065

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Champaign-Urbana, IL

Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. There are 150 academic programs offered, including those at the acclaimed Grainger College of Engineering and Gies College of Business. In sheer volume of degrees conferred, engineering and business/marketing are tied at 19%, followed by the social sciences (9%) and psychology (6%). 39% of sections are capped at 19 students. 29% of undergraduates work with a faculty member on a research project; another 22% have some type of fieldwork, practicum, or clinical experience.

Professional Outcomes: 95% of the members of the Class of 2022 landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 38% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 57% were employed full-time; the most popular sectors were finance, consulting, healthcare, electronics, and education. Corporations landing the most recent Illini grads were KPMG, Deloitte, Epic Systems, EY, PwC, and Amazon. The average salary across all Class of 2022 majors was an extremely solid $75,000.

• Enrollment: 35,120 (undergraduate); 21,796 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $35,926-$41,190 (in-state); $55,386-$63,290 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1440
• Acceptance Rate: 79%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

University of Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights : 90 distinct degrees are available across four schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Engineering, the College of Nursing, and the world-renowned Wharton School. The greatest number of students pursue degrees in business (19%), social sciences (14%), biology (11%), health sciences (9%), engineering (9%), and computer science (9%). The university boasts an exceptional 26% of courses with an enrollment under ten and 59% with an enrollment under twenty as well as multiple ways for undergrads to conduct research.

Professional Outcomes: 75% of Class of 2022 grads were employed within six months of graduating, and 18% were in graduate school. Finance attracted the highest percentage of grads (30%) followed by consulting (20%), technology (15%), and healthcare (10%). Employers hiring the greatest number of 2022 grads included JPMorgan, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, Bain & Company, Meta, and Goldman Sachs. The median starting salary for all graduates is $80,000. For those continuing their educational journeys, the most popular move is to remain at Penn, followed by Columbia and Harvard.

• Enrollment: 9,760 (undergraduate); 13,614 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,028

University of Washington – Seattle

• Seattle, WA

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across thirteen colleges/schools. Personal connections with professors abound as 55% of grads complete a faculty-mentored research project. The College of Engineering, which includes the College of Computer Science & Engineering, is one of the best in the nation; UW also boasts strong programs in everything from business to social work to environmental science. The most popular degrees are the social sciences (13%), biology (12%), computer science (11%), and business (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 73% of Class of 2022 grads were employed and 17% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2022 included Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and KPMG. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, just over half remain in state, mostly at UW itself. Large numbers of 2022 grads also headed to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and USC.

• Enrollment: 36,872 (undergraduate); 16,211 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $34,554 (in-state); $63,906 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1420
• Acceptance Rate: 48%
• Retention Rate: 94%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

University of Maryland, College Park

• College Park, MD

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can select from 100+ majors across twelve colleges. 18% of degrees are conferred in computer science, followed by the social sciences (13%), with  criminology, government and politics, and economics being the most popular majors.  Engineering (13%), business (11%), and biology (8%) are next in line. The School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the College of Journalism are all top-ranked, as are programs in computer science and criminology. 46% of sections enroll fewer than twenty students.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 96% of Class of 2022 grads had positive outcomes. 67% found employment; the companies/organizations that hired the greatest number of grads included Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, Amazon, and EY. Meta, Apple, and Google employ more than 200 alumni each.  The mid-50% salary range for 2022 grads was $55k-$83k. 21% of the Class of 2022 headed directly to graduate and professional school; 11% entered doctoral programs, 5% entered medical school, and 5% entered law school.

• Enrollment: 30,353 (undergraduate); 10,439 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,540 (in-state); $60,918 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 84%
• Graduation Rate: 89%

University of Chicago

• Chicago, IL

Academic Highlights: There are 53 majors at UChicago, but close to half of all degrees conferred are in four majors: economics, biology, mathematics, and political science, all of which have particularly sterling reputations. Economics alone is the selection of roughly one-fifth of the undergraduate population. Over 75% of undergrad sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students, and undergraduate research opportunities are ubiquitous as 80% of students end up working in a research capacity alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: On commencement day, 99% of the Class of 2023 were employed or continuing their education. Business and financial services (30%) and STEM (12%) were the two sectors that scooped up the most graduates, but public policy and consulting were also well-represented. The most popular employers of recent grads include Google, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company, Bank of America, Citi, and Accenture. For those heading to grad school, the top seven destinations are Yale, Columbia, Penn, MIT, Stanford, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins.

• Enrollment: 7,653 (undergraduate); 10,870 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $89,040

University of Texas at Dallas

Academic Highlights: There are 140+ degree plans at UT Dallas which sports a 25:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Only 7% of classes are taught by graduate assistants, but classes are on the large side – 27% of course sections contain 50 or more students. The two most popular areas of study at this university are business (20%) and computer science (20%). Biology (14%), engineering (13%), and health professions (8%) also enjoy solid popularity. Even better, UT Dallas has a strong national reputation in all of these academic areas.

Professional Outcomes: The most commonly entered industries are internet and software, healthcare, accounting, IT, and higher education. Those graduating with a degree in information technology and systems had an average starting salary of $76,900 while those earning an accounting degree brought home a mean figure of $59,700. UT Dallas graduates have less undergraduate debt than the national average and receive the third-best ROI of any public university in Texas.

• Enrollment: 21,617
• Cost of Attendance: $35,960 (In-State); $51,126
• Median SAT: 1290
• Median ACT: 28
• Acceptance Rate: 85%
• Retention Rate: 87%
• Graduation Rate: 74%

Dartmouth College

• Hanover, NH

Academic Highlights: Dartmouth sports 60+ majors and a stunning breadth of course selections for an institution of its size. The learning environment at Dartmouth is extraordinarily intimate. Not only do 61% of course sections have under twenty students, but 18% have single-digit enrollments. The student-to-faculty ratio is an outstanding 7:1. Top programs offered by Big Green include biology, economics, neuroscience, and government. The social sciences are the most popular, accounting for 32% of degrees conferred, followed by computer science (10%), mathematics (9%), engineering (9%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes: A great reputation along with a passionate alumni network that is 80,000 strong leads Dartmouth grads to successful transitions into graduate school and the world of work. Included in the top ten employers of Dartmouth grads are a number of investment banks including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bain & Company, Citibank, and Deutsche Bank. Right off the bat, 52% of graduates make more than $70,000 in salary. Those pursuing graduate degrees often flock to the likes of Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton.

• Enrollment: 4,458
• Cost of Attendance: $87,793

Amherst College

• Amherst, MA

Academic Highlights: A 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for 66% of courses to have fewer than twenty students and 32% to have single-digit enrollments. By senior year, 98% of seniors report feeling close enough to a faculty member to ask for a letter of recommendation. Amherst possesses strong offerings across the board, most notably in economics, English, history, mathematics, and law The social sciences account for 22% of degrees conferred, while 14% are in mathematics, 11% in biology, and 7% in computer science

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 93% of the Class of 2022 had already found its way into the world of employment, graduate school, or a volunteer organization.  The largest employers of Amherst grads includes Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs. The schools where the highest number of Amherst grads can be found pursuing advanced degrees include MIT, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. Fifty to sixty Amherst grads apply to medical school each year, and the acceptance rate hovers around 75-80%.

• Enrollment: 1,898
• Cost of Attendance: $84,840

New York University

Academic Highlights: NYU is divided into a number of smaller (but still quite large) colleges organized by discipline; in sum, there are 230 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools and colleges. For its size, a commendable 58% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. While all schools within NYU have solid reputations, Stern holds the distinction as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. For those entering film, dance, drama, or other performing arts, Tisch is as prestigious a place as you can find to study.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, with 78% employed and 21% in graduate school. The top industries for employment were healthcare (11%), internet and software (9%), finance (8%), and entertainment (8%). Large numbers of alumni can be found at Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Amazon. The mean starting salary is $75,336. In 2022, business, arts and sciences, and law school were the most popular grad school destinations.

• Enrollment: 29,401 (undergraduate); 29,711 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,222-$96,172

University of California, Santa Barbara

• Santa Barbara, CA

Academic Highlights: There are 90 undergraduate majors across three schools: the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Creative Studies. The social sciences are the most popular area of study, accounting for 27% of the total degrees conferred. Biology (10%), math (9%), and psychology (9%) are next in popularity. The school has highly regarded programs in communication, computer science, engineering, physics, environmental science, and the performing arts. More than half of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 72% enroll 29 or fewer.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of earning their diplomas, 84% of grads had found employment. The most popular industries were science/research (16%), engineering/computer programming (14%), business (13%), finance/accounting (11%), and sales (10%). Top employers of recent grads include Google, EY, KPMG, Oracle, Amazon, IBM, and Adobe. Many alumni also can be found at Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce. Two years after graduating, UCSB alumni make an average salary of $55k; more than half make $100k by mid-career.

• Enrollment: 23,460 (undergraduate); 2,961 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $41,289 (in-state); $73,863 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 28%
• Retention Rate: 92%
• Graduation Rate: 86%

Washington University in St. Louis

• St. Louis, MO

Academic Highlights : WashU admits students into five schools, many of which offer nationally recognized programs: Arts & Sciences, the Olin School of Business, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and the Art of Architecture programs housed within the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. The most commonly conferred degrees are in engineering (13%), social sciences (13%), business (13%), biology (11%), and psychology (10%). 66% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and over one-quarter have single-digit enrollments. 65% double major or pursue a minor.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2022 sent 52% of grads into the workforce and 28% into graduate and professional schools. Companies employing the highest number of WashU grads feature sought-after employers such as Amazon, Bain, Boeing, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Microsoft. Of the employed members of the Class of 2022 who reported their starting salaries, 79% made more than $60k. The universities welcoming the largest number of Bears included the prestigious institutions of Caltech, Columbia, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 8,132 (undergraduate); 8,880 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $83,760

University of Wisconsin – Madison

• Madison, WI

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, including the top-ranked School of Business and College of Engineering as well as the College of Letters and Science, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Schools of Nursing, Education, Pharmacy, and Human Ecology. Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 44% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Business (18%), biology (12%), the social sciences (11%), and engineering (10%) are most popular.

Professional Outcomes: In a recent year, 46% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer.  Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, Kohl’s, Oracle, Deloitte, and UW Health. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Target, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, PwC, Accenture, and Meta. 28% of recent grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school; the majority stayed at UW–Madison while others headed to Columbia, Northwestern, and Carnegie Mellon. The university is the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

• Enrollment: 37,230 (undergraduate); 12,656 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $28,916 (in-state); $58,912 (out-of-state)
• Median ACT: 30
• Acceptance Rate: 49%

Carleton College

• Northfield, MN

Academic Highlights: Students work closely with their professors, and the college is routinely rated atop lists of best undergraduate teaching institutions. Small classes are the norm with the average being only sixteen students. It offers 33 majors, the most popular of which are within the disciplines of the social sciences (19%), the physical sciences (14%), biology (11%), computer science (11%), mathematics (10%), and psychology (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Target, Epic Systems, Google, Wells Fargo, and Amazon all employ large numbers of graduates. Carleton is a breeding ground for future scholars as a ridiculously high number of graduates go on to earn PhDs. In fact, by percentage, Carleton is one of the top five producers in the country of future PhDs. They produce an incredible number of doctoral degree holders in the areas of economics, math, political science, sociology, chemistry, physics, biology, and history.

• Enrollment: 2,034
• Cost of Attendance: $82,167
• Median SAT: 1490
• Graduation Rate: 91%

Northwestern University

• Evanston, IL

Academic Highlights : Northwestern is home to six undergraduate schools, including Medill, which is widely regarded as one of the country’s best journalism schools. The McCormick School of Engineering also achieves top rankings, along with programs in economics, social policy, and theatre. The social sciences account for the greatest number of degrees conferred (19%), followed by communications/journalism (13%), and engineering (11%). 45% of classes have nine or fewer students enrolled; 78% have fewer than twenty enrollees. 57% of recent grads had the chance to conduct undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 69% of the Class of 2022 had found employment and 27% were in graduate school. The four most popular professional fields were consulting (18%), engineering (18%), business/finance (16%), and communications/marketing/media (13%). Employers included the BBC, NBC News, The Washington Post , NPR, Boeing, Google, IBM, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Northrop Grumman, and Goldman Sachs. Across all majors, the average starting salary was $73k. Of those headed straight to graduate school, engineering, medicine, and business were the three most popular areas of concentration.

• Enrollment: 8,659 (undergraduate); 14,073 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $91,290

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

• Worcester, MA

Academic Highlights: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers a hands-on and innovative project-based curriculum; all students complete a minimum of two long-term research projects that are focused on solving real-world problems. A staggering 52% of its classes enroll fewer than ten students, creating an incredible level of academic intimacy. The most popular majors are under the engineering umbrella (63%) and computer science (16%). The undergraduate engineering program is respected worldwide and frequently graces lists of top schools.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 94% of 2022 grads landed jobs or enrolled full-time in graduate school. Recent grads found jobs at top companies including Airbnb, DraftKings, Amazon Robotics, and NASA. Hundreds of WPI alumni are employed at Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, Dell, and BAE Systems. The average starting salary is over $74,000 and is one of the highest in the country. Over one-quarter of grads elect to pursue an advanced degree immediately after graduation, enrolling at institutions that recently included Georgia Tech, Brown, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 5,246 (undergraduate); 2,062 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $81,751
• Acceptance Rate: 57%

Pomona College

Academic Highlights: There are 48 majors and minors to select from with the most popular being social sciences (23%), biology (13%), and computer science (12%). Majors in economics, international relations, chemistry, and mathematics receive especially high marks. More than 600 courses are on the menu at Pomona alone, but students can access any of the Claremont Consortium’s 2,700 courses. Pomona’s 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio leads to an average class size of only 15 students, and over 50% of the undergraduate population conduct research alongside a faculty member.

Professional Outcomes: 71% of the Class of 2022 were employed within six months of graduating. Overall, the largest number of alumni can be found at Google, Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Recently, economics degree-earners have landed jobs at Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, or Accenture. Majors in the hard sciences frequently landed at top research laboratories and hospitals. Of the 21% of 2022 grads who were accepted directly into graduate school, the most frequently attended institutions included the University of Cambridge, Duke, Harvard, Caltech, UChicago, and Stanford.

• Enrollment: 1,761
• Cost of Attendance: $88,296

University of Virginia

• Charlottesville, VA

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of seven colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 15% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. The McIntire School of Commerce and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have glowing reputations. Other notable strengths include computer science, economics, and political philosophy, policy, and law. The most popular degree areas are liberal arts/general studies (22%), the social sciences (14%), engineering (11%), business/marketing (8%), and biology (7%).

Professional Outcomes:  Upon receiving their degree, 95% of the Class of 2022 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $90k–or headed directly to graduate school. The most popular industries were internet & software, higher education, and management consulting. Capital One (85), Deloitte (46), Amazon (38), and Bain & Co. (26) scooped up the greatest number of 2022 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins.

• Enrollment: 17,496 (undergraduate); 8,653 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $39,494-49,874 (in-state); $78,214-90,378 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 19%

Northeastern University

Academic Highlights: Northeastern offers 290 majors and 180 combined majors within nine colleges and programs. Experiential learning is had by virtually all graduates, thanks to the school’s illustrious and robust co-op program. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business is a top-ranked school and offers one of the best international business programs anywhere, and both the College of Engineering and College of Computer Science are highly respected as well. Criminal justice, architecture, and nursing are three other majors that rate near the top nationally.

Professional Outcomes: Nine months after leaving Northeastern, 97% of students have landed at their next employment or graduate school destination. Huskies entering the job market are quickly rounded up by the likes of State Street, Fidelity Investments, IBM, and Amazon, all of whom employ 500+ Northeastern alums. Between 200 and 500 employees at Wayfair, Google, Amazon, Oracle, IBM, and Apple have an NU lineage. Starting salaries are above average (55% make more than $60k), in part due to the stellar co-op program.

• Enrollment: 20,980 (undergraduate); 15,826 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $86,821

Purdue University — West Lafayette

• West Lafayette, IN

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 38% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Engineering and engineering technologies majors earn 34% of the degrees conferred by the university; the College of Engineering cracks the top ten on almost every list of best engineering schools. The Krannert School of Management is also well-regarded by employers; 11% of degrees conferred are in business. Other popular majors include computer science (10%) and agriculture (5%)—both are incredibly strong.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 70% of 2022 grads headed to the world of employment while 24% headed to graduate/professional school. The top industries entered by grads in recent years are (1) health care, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; (2) finance, insurance, and consulting; (3) manufacturing and machinery; (4) airline, aviation, and aerospace. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Amazon, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Labcorp, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft. The average starting salary was $68k across all degree programs.

• Enrollment: 37,949 (undergraduate); 12,935 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $22,812 (in-state); $41,614 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1330
• Median ACT: 31
• Acceptance Rate: 53%

Rutgers University — New Brunswick

• New Brunswick, NJ

Academic Highlights: Rutgers is divided into 17 schools and colleges, collectively offering 100+ undergraduate majors. 41% of class sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in business (20%), computer science (12%), engineering (10%), health professions (10%), biology (9%), and social sciences (7%). Rutgers Business School sends many majors to top Wall Street investment banks, and programs in computer science, public health, and criminal justice have a terrific national reputation.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 82% of Class of 2022 grads had secured a first job or were heading to an advanced degree program. 67% headed directly to the world of employment, where the companies hiring the largest number of grads included Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, and JP Morgan Chase. Investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Citi also employ hundreds of alumni, as do companies like Verizon, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, and Google. The median starting salary across all majors was $70,000.

• Enrollment: 36,344 (undergraduate); 14,293 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,849 (in-state); $57,138 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1370
• Acceptance Rate: 66%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Blacksburg, VA

Academic Highlights : Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 110+ distinct bachelor’s degrees are housed within Virginia Tech. 33% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 21% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience. Engineering is the area where the greatest number of degrees are conferred (23%), but business (20%) is a close second. Both disciplines are among the most respected at Tech, along with computer science. Other popular majors include the family and consumer sciences (8%), social sciences (8%), biology (8%), and agriculture (4%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 56% of the Class of 2022 were employed and 18% were in graduate school. One recent class sent large numbers to major corporations that included Deloitte (67), KPMG (44), Lockheed Martin (39), Capital One (30), EY (28), Booz Allen Hamilton (18), and Northrop Grumman (12). The median salary for 2022 graduates was $67,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, William & Mary, Columbia, Duke, and Georgia Tech.

• Enrollment: 30,434 (undergraduate); 7,736 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,252 (in-state); $58,750 (out-of-state)
• Median ACT: 29

University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

• Minneapolis, MN

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. 65% of class sections enroll 29 or fewer students. The most commonly conferred degrees are in biology (13%), business & marketing (11%), engineering (10%), the social sciences (10%), computer science (9%), and psychology (8%). The College of Science and Engineering and the Carlson School of Management have strong national reputations, and the chemistry, economics, psychology, and political science departments are also well-regarded.

Professional Outcomes: The top seven companies snatching up the largest number of recent grads are all companies headquartered in the state of Minnesota: Medtronic, Target, 3M, United Health Group, US Bank, and Cargill. Google, Apple, and Meta all employ hundreds of Twin Cities alumni. The mean starting salary for recent grads was $50k. With 130 graduate programs in science, art, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and the humanities, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

• Enrollment: 39,248 (undergraduate); 15,707 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,032-$35,632 (in-state); $54,446-$57,046
• Acceptance Rate: 75%
• Retention Rate: 90%

Pennsylvania State University — University Park

• State College, PA

Academic Highlights: Penn State offers 275 majors and a number of top-ranked programs in a host of disciplines. The College of Engineering is rated exceptionally well on a national scale and is also the most popular field of study, accounting for 15% of the degrees conferred. The Smeal College of Business is equally well-regarded, earning high rankings in everything from supply chain management to accounting to marketing. It attracts 15% of total degree-seekers. 61% of classes have an enrollment below thirty students.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation, 70% of Nittany Lions have found their next employment or graduate school home. 98% of College of Business grads are successful within three months of exiting, flocking in large numbers to stellar finance, accounting, consulting, and technology firms. Hundreds of alumni work at Citi, Salesforce, and Meta, and more than 500 currently work at each of IBM, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, EY, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. 75% of 2022 grads employed full-time earned starting salaries greater than $50k.

• Enrollment: 41,745 (undergraduate); 7,020 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $32,656 (in-state); $52,610 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1300
• Acceptance Rate: 55%

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Academic Highlights: 110 majors are offered across eight undergraduate colleges, including the highly ranked Isenberg School of Management. Programs in sports management, architecture, computer science, and nursing are top-rated. Of all degrees conferred in 2022, business/marketing diplomas accounted for 14%, followed by biology (11%), social sciences (10%), psychology (8%), health professions (7%), engineering (7%), and computer science (7%). 47% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 30% engage in undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 65% of newly minted 2022 grads were employed full-time and 26% were attending graduate school part-time. The most populated industries are health/medical professions (13%), internet & software (10%), biotech & life sciences (4%), and higher education (4%). Companies presently employing 100+ Minutemen and Minutewomen include Oracle, Mass Mutual, Amazon, IBM, Google, Intel, Microsoft, PwC, Wayfair, and Apple. Boston is the most popular landing spot for graduates.

• Enrollment: 23,936 (undergraduate); 7,874 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,219 (in-state); $59,896 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1380
• Acceptance Rate: 58%
• Graduation Rate: 83%

University of Colorado Boulder

• Boulder, CO

Academic Highlights: CU Boulder offers 90 bachelor’s degree programs across seven different schools and colleges; the College of Engineering & Applied Science and the Leeds School of Business both possess excellent national reputations. Business/marketing is the discipline where the greatest number of degrees (15%) were conferred in 2022. Engineering (13%), biology (12%), social sciences (12%), and journalism (10%) are next in popularity. 41% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and only 19% of courses enroll 50 or more students.

Professional Outcomes : Within six months of leaving CU Boulder, 91% of recent grads were working or in graduate school. Those employed earned an estimated median salary of $54k, with the greatest number working at Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Deloitte, Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, KPMG, Charles Schwab, and Boeing. More than 100 alumni can also be found at Google, Oracle, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. 20% of new grads immediately jumped into an advanced degree program, and 80% were accepted into their first-choice school.

• Enrollment: 31,103 (undergraduate); 7,110 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,744 (in-state); $60,118 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1280
• Retention Rate: 88%
• Graduation Rate: 75%

Texas A&M University — College Station

• College Station, TX

Academic Highlights: With nineteen schools and colleges and 130+ undergraduate degree programs, Texas A&M is a massive operation. As the name implies, there is a heavy emphasis on agriculture, engineering, and business, which all place well in national rankings and garner deep respect from major corporations and graduate/professional schools. Class sizes trend large, but 24% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students and personal connections with professors are entirely possible, particularly through the research-oriented LAUNCH program.

Professional Outcomes: On graduation day, 54% of students had already received at least one job offer and 22% were heading to graduate/professional school. Many Aggies go on to work at major oil, tech, and consulting firms; more than 500 are employed at each of ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, EY, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, and PWC. Starting salaries were strong—on average, College of Engineering grads made $80k and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences grads netted $54k. A&M is also the eighth-largest producer of law students in the entire country.

• Enrollment: 57,512 (undergraduate); 16,502 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,058 (in-state); $59,336 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1270
• Acceptance Rate: 63%

Stony Brook University (SUNY)

• Stony Brook, NY

Academic Highlights: Stony Brook offers 60+ majors and 80+ minors across six undergraduate colleges. 38% of all sections contain nineteen or fewer students. A popular and locally well-regarded nursing program leads to the largest number of degrees being conferred in health professions (14%). Strong majors in biology (14%), math (10%), business (9%), engineering (7%), and computer sciences (6%) also draw many students. The school’s reputation in the hard sciences, particularly math, chemistry, and biomedical engineering, is aided by the affiliated Stony Brook University Hospital.

Professional Outcomes: Within two years of graduation, 61% of Stony Brook graduates are employed, and 34% have entered graduate/professional school. The organizations and companies employing the greatest number of Seawolves are Northwell Health, JPMorgan Chase, Google, Amazon, Citi, Morgan Stanley, Microsoft, Apple, Bloomberg, and Microsoft. Among those pursuing further education, common choices include Stony Brook itself, other SUNY or CUNY institutions, and NYC-based powerhouses like Columbia, Fordham, and NYU.

• Enrollment: 17,509 (undergraduate); 8,201 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,008 (in-state); $52,798 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1410
• Graduation Rate: 78%

The Ohio State University — Columbus

• Columbus, OH

Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

• Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1340-1450
• Median ACT: 29-32

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Computer Science to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

• AP Score Calculators 
• SAT Score Calculator 
• ACT Score Calculator
• Best Summer Programs 
• College List Building Tool
• Best Colleges by Major

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Due to the impending weather, all MWCC campuses will be closed Thursday, April 4, 2024.  All day, evening and remote classes are canceled. Please refer to the Mount Fitness Facebook Pag e for status on their operations. View weather policy here.

Home » Blog Posts » What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree?

What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree?

You’ve likely heard about the benefits of getting a career in tech fields — high pay, various perks and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology. Computer science is a popular field of study that boasts countless success stories of individuals who achieved strong prospects after graduating. Computer science is one of the paths that may lead you to your dream tech job, but what does a degree in computer science entail, and is it the best option for you? Learn all about computer science in this guide.

What Is a Computer Science Degree?

A computer science degree teaches you how to set up and analyze different computer systems and software, which could open up many opportunities in the digital era. This major is ideal for problem-solvers who love working in technology. It encompasses topics like computational processes and building user-friendly websites. Students will also learn about the exciting world of robot programming and data mining and analysis.

At its core, a computer science degree is related to what brings computation and operating systems to life — mathematics. If you’re a critical thinker with solid problem-analysis skills and a deep interest in mathematics and computer software or hardware, this is the degree for you.

What Courses Will You Study as a Computer Science Student?

At Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC), our  computer science degree courses  are structured to give you a strong foundation in mathematics and computer sciences and further your career in the tech world. Let’s walk through the day-to-day courses you’ll engage with to get you closer to your career goals.

Calculus forms the groundwork for any computer science or  computer information systems degree . This course covers key concepts like trigonometric, polynomial, composite and rational differentiation functions. You’ll also learn indefinite integration, curve sketching and related rates. As you progress, you’ll study series, sequences and L’Hopital’s rule and engage with topics covering fluid pressure and volumes.

Starting with the basics of elementary statistics, this course aims to empower students with a concrete understanding of subjects like regression, central tendency, correlation, variability, hypothesis testing and standard deviation. Upon completion of this module, you’ll be able to better grasp other mathematical concepts.

Computer Science

Our object-oriented programming approach gives students first-hand experience with various software development factors, such as debuggers, test plans and algorithm development. As you get deeper into the computer science courses, you’ll learn more about polymorphism, GUI programming and data structures.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Computer Science Degree?

While there are excellent positions you can achieve with an associate degree from MWCC, our courses allow you to easily transfer credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can also further develop your skills as a computer scientist by enrolling in one of our certificate programs –   Cyber Security  or  Software Support . Career paths in this field vary. Below are three popular computer science jobs.

Network Administrator

Network administrators maintain secure computer networks and troubleshoot potential issues. They streamline network efficiency and are responsible for protecting virtual private networks (VPN), managing connectivity, and maintaining various hardware and software systems, including firewalls and routers. This position is among the highest-paying computer science jobs, with  an average annual salary of about $95,000  in 2023.

Web Developer

Web developers create websites. Their day-to-day responsibilities typically include coding for HTML, XML or JavaScript, testing applications and incorporating multimedia content onto various sites. One exciting part of this career is collaborating with talented web designers and other developers. Students who enjoy web design and computer science typically go this route. In 2023, the average annual salary for  American web developers  was about $93,000.

Systems Analyst

Systems analysts, also known as system architects, are responsible for maintaining and designing information systems. They also build information systems and can sometimes specialize in data, business or software systems analyses. The  annual median salary for a systems analyst  in 2023 was nearly $104,000.

What’s the Average Salary for a Computer Science Graduate in Massachusetts?

In this technology-driven world, studying computer-related subjects brings high earning potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the median yearly wage for computer and information technology was $104,420 in 2023, almost  double the median annual wage  for all other jobs, which reached around $48,060. The  average pay for computer science jobs in Massachusetts  is approximately $86,000 annually. That works out to about $42 an hour, which is significantly higher than the  average hourly earnings for U.S. employees , which was around $11.00 in March 2024. In some parts of Massachusetts, the average salary for a computer science degree graduate is higher. For example, in Boston, the  annual average is almost $88,400 .

Is a Computer Science Degree Worth It?

Computer science graduates are in high demand with the expanding industry of tech giants and small to medium tech enterprises, so computer science is a good degree to get. According to the Education Data Initiative, computer science bachelor’s degrees have a median  return on investment (ROI) of 228.9%  after 20 years.

While computer science is a good major, becoming a high earner may take a while. Starting your degree at MWCC makes transferring credits easy, so you can study further and climb up to higher-paying positions more quickly.

Computer Science Major FAQs

Knowing the answers to some common questions can help you better understand computer science majors:

• How hard is a computer science degree?  It’s a challenging endeavor for most students, but with determination and a strong work ethic, you can reap the rewards of a computer science degree and work your way up to a successful career.
• Can I apply for a computer science degree online?  Yes. You can apply for a computer science degree online by filling out our  online application for computer science ,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ which takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
• Which is better — computer science or computer information systems?  Computer science goes deeper into computers and technology, while computer information systems focus on programming languages and database maintenance. Both fields have exponential growth and endless career possibilities.

Study for a Computer Science Degree at MWCC

Would getting a computer science degree be a good choice for your career goals and preferences? We’d love to have you at MWCC, where you can pursue various education and career paths. We care deeply about every one of our students and offer help in any way we can, from school stationery to child care.  Request more information on joining MWCC , and make your career dreams come true.

• Current Students
• U.S. Locations
• UMGC Europe
• Learn Online
• Find Answers
• 855-655-8682

Online Bachelor's Degree: Cyber Operations

Cyber operations, degree at a glance.

• 120 credits
• Transfer up to 90 credits
• All courses available online
• Select hybrid courses available

TUITION RATES

• $324 per credit (in-state)
• $499 per credit (out-of-state)
• $250 per credit (military)
• Other fees may apply

Next Session Starts

Advance in your career with an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations from University of Maryland Global Campus. Increase your marketability by learning and developing career-relevant skills including software development and cloud programming. Expand your knowledge base under the direction of experienced faculty members who bring their practical expertise to the classroom. Earn your degree on your own time with our convenient online courses and save time and money with our generous transfer credit policy . Why wait? Take the first step and apply today!

Gain Knowledge in Cybersecurity, Programming, Information Technology, & More

UMGC’s online cyber operations program is designed to help you build career-relevant skills in network security, cybersecurity, information technology, and computer programming. You’ll leverage hacking tools, customize computer scripts and applications, and employ techniques to conduct offensive and defensive cyberspace operations. The program will help enable you to detect and triage security alerts, assess risks, automate threat detection, and respond to adversary attacks while helping our country gain an advantage in cyberspace across all domains. The conceptual, clinical, and theoretical skills you acquire in this program may help you stand out in the market and become an effective problem-solver at your organization.

• You can join one of our cyber-focused student organizations such as computer club or Upsilon Pi Epsilon (the international honor society for computing and IT).
• Try out for the award-winning Cybersecurity Competition Team to gain hands-on experience and develop your skills in the Virtual Security Lab and nationwide competitions.
• We offer competitive tuition rates for Maryland residents, as well as discounts for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependents.

See Courses & Program Info

View a complete list of program courses, program-specific and degree-level requirements, and more.

View Cyber Operations Program Courses

This program requires a total of 120 credits .

• 33 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below or view the recommended course sequence to progress through this program.
• 41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework requirements for bachelor's degrees.
• 46 Minor & Elective Credits: Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.

Required Major Courses

• Foundations of Cyberspace Operations (3 Credits, CYOP 200)
• Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis (3 Credits, CYOP 310)
• Fundamentals of Networking (3 Credits, CMIT 265)
• Building Secure Python Applications (3 Credits, CYOP 300)
• Detecting Software Vulnerabilities (3 Credits, CYOP 325)
• Database Security (3 Credits, CYOP 350)
• Secure Software Engineering (3 Credits, CYOP 360)
• Secure Programming in the Cloud (3 Credits, CYOP 400)
• Mitigating Software Vulnerabilities (3 Credits, CYOP 425)
• Software Security Testing (3 Credits, CYOP 460)
• Cyber Operations Capstone (3 Credits, CYOP 495)

Review Technology Requirements

For some of the upper-level cybersecurity and IT courses in this program, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications. Courses in graphics- or computing-intensive disciplines may require a higher processing speed, more RAM, and/or better screen resolution.

Hardware Requirements

• 64-bit processor, Intel Core i5 (7th generation or higher), or equivalent (e.g., AMD, M1) 
• Processor speed: 1.5 GHz or higher (2 GHz recommended) 
• Storage: At least 250 GB (SSD [preferred] or HD), with at least 30 percent free space 
• RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended) 
• Display/monitor: Minimum 13” 
• Screen resolution: Minimum 1280 px x 1024 px 
• Keyboard and mouse/trackpad 
• High-speed Internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) 
• 32-bit video card

Operating System

Choose one of the following:

• Windows 10 (recommended; version 1909 or higher required for any course using Adobe Creative Cloud) 
• Mac OS X 10.15 or higher 
• Ubuntu 18.04+ (or other Linux LTS) 
• Microsoft Office 2019 or later (Office 365 Education is available for free with your student email address.) 
• Most recent version/update of a web browser (Firefox, Safari, or Chrome) 
• Antivirus software 
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader 

Additional Recommendations

• Built-in camera (or USB port for a webcam)
• Built-in microphone and speakers (or USB ports for external audio devices)

Explore a Minor in Cybersecurity

Not ready to get started on this bachelor’s degree? You can pair a 15-credit minor in cybersecurity or computer science with another major at UMGC.

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year . For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

Develop Career-Ready Skills in Cyber Operations

Employers highly value the knowledge and skills that you cultivate in this program and can easily translate to almost any modern industry in a cyber role such as software developer or security software engineer. Program graduates develop crucial skills in project management, communication, teamwork, software development, software engineering, and cybersecurity. Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve the following: 

Unlock Your Career Potential

This program is designed to help prepare you for technical and leadership roles in diverse application development and security settings, including high-demand areas such as coding, security analysis, security management, application and software architecture, information security, intrusion analysis, penetration testing, programming languages, software development, software engineering, security and code auditing, intelligence, and system architecture.

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Cyber Courses

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that may help you prioritize real-world skills and experience. You will learn real-world skills in your classes at UMGC through our hands-on, project-based labs using our state-of-the-art virtual laboratory environment. Examples of specific projects for this program include:

• Use cyber industry standard tools to identify web application vulnerabilities.
• Use threat intelligence feeds and appropriate data sources to prepare for possible cyber attacks by state-sponsored cyber espionage groups.
• Use NSA-developed reverse engineering and malware analysis tools to identify indicators of compromise and malware infections in intelligence scenarios.
• Analyze and correlate log events to detect and mitigate cyber attacks.
• Configure and monitor a honeypot to identify sources of intrusion and other anomalous computer network activities.

You might be interested in similar programs

Compare All Programs

Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, student organizations, and more.

What is an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations?

An online bachelor's degree in cyber operations is a 120-credit that students can earn online to help them prepare for a career in cyber operations, software development, and cybersecurity. UMGC’s online bachelor's degree in cyber operations covers topics like programming languages, coding, cloud programming, software development, software engineering, communication, networks, and more. The program can help students prepare for a career path in a wide range of industries, including government; military; intelligence, counterintelligence, and homeland security; software and technology; and more. Possible roles include programmer, software developer, cybersecurity engineer, software engineer, and more.

How long does it take to get an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations?

UMGC's cyber operations degree is a 120-credit program with courses offered year-round. The time it will take you to complete your degree will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each term, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit , including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training .

How much does an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations cost?

Tuition rates for this online bachelor’s degree are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military service members and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer scholarships for those who qualify , an interest-free monthly payment plan , and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make online bachelor's degrees even more affordable.

What background do I need to get an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations?

You do not need any background or experience in cyber operations, software development, or other cyber or computer software fields to apply for and graduate with this online bachelor’s degree. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements , you can enroll in this program.

Are any certifications available for those with an online bachelor’s degree in cyber operations?

You do not need any previous cyber, software development, or software engineering certifications to enroll in or complete this program.

What student organizations are available to cyber operations majors?

Computing club.

The Computing Club provides a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the Computing Club group on CareerQuest .

Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Computing & Technology Disciplines)

Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and IT disciplines, is designed to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information science disciplines. Membership is by invitation only.

Undergraduate membership is open to students majoring in one of the computing disciplines who have completed at least 45 credit hours towards their degree, including 30 or more credits at UMGC (in graded coursework) and at least 15 credits from information technology and computer science courses. Undergraduate students need to have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all coursework taken from the information technology and computer science courses.

Graduate student membership is open to students pursuing a master's degree in cloud computing systems, cyber operations, cybersecurity management and policy, cybersecurity technology, data analytics, or digital forensics and cyber investigation; a master's degree in information technology with a concentration in database systems technology, informatics, information assurance, software engineering, or systems engineering; or a legacy master's degree in cybersecurity. Graduate students must have completed at least 18 resident credits towards their degree at UMGC, with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher.

For more information, please email upe@umgc.edu .

Our helpful admissions advisors can help you choose an academic program to fit your career goals, estimate your transfer credits, and develop a plan for your education costs that fits your budget. If you’re a current UMGC student, please visit the Help Center .

Personal Information

Contact information, additional information.

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you intend to sign this form electronically and that your electronic signature is the equivalent of a handwritten signature, with all the same legal and binding effect. You are giving your express written consent without obligation for UMGC to contact you regarding our educational programs and services using e-mail, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and/or texts to the mobile number(s) provided. For more details, including how to opt out, read our privacy policy or contact an admissions advisor .

Please wait, your form is being submitted.

By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more about how we use cookies by reading our  Privacy Policy .

No Application Fee

Apply by May 31, and we'll waive your application fee.

Skip to Content

• News & Events

Obtain a Bachelor's of Science in 45 credit hours.

Request More Information     Admissions Information & Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate

Our online Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science Post-Baccalaureate degree is designed for working professionals with a prior bachelor’s degree who are looking to make a career pivot, move ahead in their current career path, or deepen their knowledge of computer science in 45 credits. The program’s flexible format allows you to pursue your degree, full-time or part-time, from anywhere in the world.

The program aims to produce students who are able to:

• learn the strong foundational material that distinguishes professionals and lets them keep up with emerging technologies,
• develop software engineering skills using modern tools and a variety of programming languages,
• learn the algorithms and mathematics that underlie Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, 
• analyze and visualize data while understanding the cognitive processes of decision making, and 
• analyze and create databases and automate analysis using data mining and data science algorithms.

With a computer science degree from CU Boulder’s prestigious College of Engineering and Applied Science, you’ll be positioned to take advantage of one of the world’s fastest-growing career fields.

Learn more about the program and apply

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science Post-Baccalaureate
• Accelerated Master's Programs
• Computer Science Minor
• Graduate Programs
• Online Programs

Apply   Visit   Give

Departments

• Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences
• Chemical & Biological Engineering
• Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering
• Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Mathematics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Creative Technology & Design
• Engineering Education
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Physics
• Integrated Design Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering

Affiliates & Partners

• ATLAS Institute
• BOLD Center
• Colorado Mesa University
• Colorado Space Grant Consortium
• Discovery Learning
• Engineering Honors
• Engineering Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics & Society
• Integrated Teaching and Learning
• Global Engineering
• Mortenson Center for Global Engineering
• National Center for Women & Information Technology
• Western Colorado University