by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their computer science graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying computer science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose computer science graduates go on to earn the most.
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of about $294,809 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for computer science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $225,140 annually.
A rank of #3 makes California Institute Of Technology one of 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.
A rank of #4 makes Harvey Mudd College one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Early-career computer science graduates from Harvey Mudd College make a median of around $220,204 per year.
San Jose State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in computer science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $160,714 annually.
University Of California San Diego placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Computer Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $228,895 a year early in their careers.
Pomona College landed the #7 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $143,084.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #8 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara typically earn about $145,485 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $162,117 per year.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #10 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set 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.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #11 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,119.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Computer Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $201,056 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco landed the #13 spot for computer science salaries this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of San Francisco make a median of around $149,331 per year.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $111,141 annually.
University Of Portland ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Portland make a median of around $136,265 per year.
University Of San Diego landed the #16 spot for computer science salaries this year. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of San Diego make a median of around $104,948 per year.
University Of California Irvine earned the #17 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $132,705.
Sonoma State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Sonoma State University is a public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Early-career computer science graduates from Sonoma State University make a median of around $147,502 per year.
California State University Chico came in at #19 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of about $125,103 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University landed the #20 spot for computer science salaries this year. Oregon State University is a public school located in the city of Corvallis. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Oregon State University typically earn about $109,905 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of California Santa Cruz make a median of around $120,928 per year.
University Of The Pacific placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of The Pacific typically earn about $96,655 annually.
Gonzaga University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Gonzaga University make a median of around $114,331 per year.
Washington State University earned the #24 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of about $108,566 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University earned the #25 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. Computer Science graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $114,373 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid computer science ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 60 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.
