by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their computer science graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send computer science graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Carnegie Mellon University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $251,632 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Brown University one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Computer Science graduates of Brown University earn a median of about $271,601 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Stanford University earned it the #3 place for computer science. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Stanford University typically earn about $247,797 annually.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology produces some of the highest-paid graduates in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology make a median of around $220,064 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #5 place for computer science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $225,140 a year early in their careers.
Cornell University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $219,827 a year early in their careers.
Harvard University earned the #7 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Early-career computer science graduates from Harvard University make a median of around $219,550 per year.
Bowdoin College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $177,788.
California Institute Of Technology placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $173,344.
Harvey Mudd College came in at #10 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Computer Science graduates of Harvey Mudd College earn a median of about $220,204 a year early in their careers.
University Of Chicago earned the #11 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $227,147 a year early in their careers.
Duke University landed the #12 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $201,846.
San Jose State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $160,714 per year.
Dartmouth College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of about $192,848 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $180,906.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #16 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $204,511 per year.
Princeton University landed the #17 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Princeton University make a median of around $146,624 per year.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $171,166.
Pomona College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Pomona College make a median of around $143,084 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #20 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Computer Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $170,405 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #21 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $162,117.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $162,117 annually.
Amherst College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Amherst College make a median of around $194,751 per year.
Williams College came in at #24 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Williams College typically earn about $163,743 annually.
University Of California San Diego earned the #25 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $160,463.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid computer science ranking:
The following schools rounded out the strongest computer science earnings:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem, PA | $129,863 | Full Report |
A few more high-earning computer science schools worth a look:
Explore the highest-paying computer science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries computer science graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.