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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find where computer science graduates earn the most.
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.
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools in California. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $294,809.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of California Berkeley make a median of around $225,140 per year.
California Institute Of Technology produces some of the highest-paid graduates in computer science, landing the #3 spot this year. California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Early-career computer science graduates from California Institute Of Technology make a median of around $173,344 per year.
Harvey Mudd College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College typically earn about $220,204 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at San Jose State University earned it the #5 place for computer science. Set 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.
University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $228,895.
Pomona College came in at #7 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Early-career computer science graduates from Pomona College make a median of around $143,084 per year.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of California Santa Barbara make a median of around $145,485 per year.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from City College Of San Francisco make a median of around $75,119 per year.
University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $201,056 annually.
University Of San Francisco placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of about $149,331 a year early in their careers.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #12 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Computer Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $111,141 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Diego landed the #13 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of San Diego typically earn about $104,948 annually.
University Of California Irvine came in at #14 for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine typically earn about $132,705 annually.
Sonoma State University came in at #15 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a public institution. 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 #16 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $125,103 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $120,928.
University Of The Pacific placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set 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.
San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for computer science salaries this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. Early-career computer science graduates from San Diego State University make a median of around $114,373 per year.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #20 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $83,688 a year early in their careers.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #21 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. California State University Channel Islands is a public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Early-career computer science graduates from California State University Channel Islands make a median of around $119,989 per year.
California State University Northridge came in at #22 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $113,922 annually.
University Of California Riverside ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,034.
California State University East Bay placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from California State University East Bay make a median of around $111,870 per year.
California State University San Marcos ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from California State University San Marcos make a median of around $110,266 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning computer science graduates:
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 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.
