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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k)

210 Ranked Colleges
12,651 Degrees Awarded
$43,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Computer Science is the 19th most popular major in the country with 53,722 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, computer science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $66,561 and had an average of $23,565 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 12,651 computer science graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 210 colleges that offer a degree in computer science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent computer science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the computer science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree compsci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Computer Science (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 239 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MIT, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at MIT

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 306 diplomas to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Computer Science at Stanford

#3

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 210 schools in the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #3 spot on the list. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 45 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Duke University Computer Science Report

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 35 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #5 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard Computer Science Report

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 94 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Full UPenn Computer Science Report

#6

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Northwestern University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at Northwestern University

#7

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

With a ranking of #7, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 107 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #9 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at Brown

#8

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

Cornell University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 279 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at Cornell University

#9

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 113 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562.

Full WUSTL Computer Science Report

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 442 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at Columbia

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 164 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree compsci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at UChicago

#12

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 27 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #16 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt Computer Science Report

With a ranking of #13, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 384 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read more about Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#14

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#17 in overall quality

Dartmouth College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth also took the #17 spot in our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120.

Full Dartmouth Computer Science Report

#15

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Tufts University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tufts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Tufts did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

Full Tufts University Computer Science Report

#16

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

Wake Forest University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 9 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216.

Full Wake Forest University Computer Science Report

Top 15% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s compsci degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW Seattle is also in the top of our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at UW Seattle

#18

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#22 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 14 degrees to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Berkeley Computer Science Report

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 17 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Computer Science at UNC Chapel Hill

#20

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#21 in overall quality

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified masters’s compsci students in 2019-2020.

Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Computer Science at Georgetown

#21

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue excels when it comes to compsci quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at Purdue University - Main Campus

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 58 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read more about Computer Science at Cal State LA

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Computer Science at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#24

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #24, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 281 masters’s compsci degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Computer Science at North Carolina State University

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
Top 15% in overall quality

Emory University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s compsci degrees to qualified students.

Emory also claimed a top spot on our “Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read more about Computer Science at Emory University

Rest of the Best 33 in Best Value CompSci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 33 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#28

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#31

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York
#32

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#32

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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