by our College Data Analytics Team
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their computer science graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 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.
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Early-career computer science graduates from Stanford University make a median of around $331,747 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. 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 $301,159.
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $256,430 annually.
Cornell University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Computer Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $224,974 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Rochester Institute Of Technology make a median of around $171,690 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for computer science salaries this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $201,739 per year.
University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $207,395 a year early in their careers.
Boston University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $177,092 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #9 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $155,261.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $155,261 per year.
University Of California Irvine earned the #11 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $148,476 a year early in their careers.
University Of Chicago came in at #12 for computer science graduate earnings this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $151,585 per year.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $162,992.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #14 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $140,315 annually.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #15 spot for computer science salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $137,627 a year early in their careers.
Brown University earned the #16 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $135,411.
Drexel University came in at #17 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $145,348.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus typically earn about $149,706 annually.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #19 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of about $124,425 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station typically earn about $121,728 annually.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $120,693 per year.
Arizona State University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. Computer Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $139,405 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #23 spot for computer science salaries this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $139,405 a year early in their careers.
Seattle University earned the #24 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $119,407.
California State University Fullerton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $118,312 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning computer science graduates:
Explore the highest-paying computer science schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their computer science graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 52 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.