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 36 schools on the early-career earnings of their computer science graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose computer science graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in computer science, no school beat Normandale Community College this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Normandale Community College make a median of around $87,668 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #2 place for computer science. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis typically earn about $110,302 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in computer science will find them at Gustavus Adolphus College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College typically earn about $110,108 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #4 place for computer science. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of about $69,928 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in computer science will find them at Carleton College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $121,569.
Grinnell College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of about $122,922 a year early in their careers.
Coe College came in at #7 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career computer science graduates from Coe College make a median of around $95,627 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $111,199 a year early in their careers.
St Olaf College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from St Olaf College typically earn about $105,613 annually.
Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Iowa State University typically earn about $108,762 annually.
Bemidji State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for computer science. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of about $88,278 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #12 spot for computer science salaries this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school located in the city of Omaha. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha typically earn about $102,725 annually.
Luther College came in at #13 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Luther College earn a median of about $117,530 a year early in their careers.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #14 spot for computer science salaries this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,656.
Metropolitan State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Metropolitan State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $99,864.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying computer science schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Missouri St Louis make a median of around $96,734 per year.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #17 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Minnesota Duluth make a median of around $94,445 per year.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot for computer science salaries this year. Saint Cloud State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $106,149.
Saint Johns University landed the #19 spot for computer science salaries this year. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Saint Johns University typically earn about $95,885 annually.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #20 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. Computer Science graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of about $96,673 a year early in their careers.
Webster University landed the #21 spot for computer science salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Computer Science graduates of Webster University earn a median of about $90,966 a year early in their careers.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #22 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the computer science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $97,609.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #23 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Early-career computer science graduates from University Of Central Missouri make a median of around $89,688 per year.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #24 position for computer science graduate earnings this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield typically earn about $91,878 annually.
Winona State University came in at #25 for computer science graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a public institution. After graduating, computer science degree recipients from Winona State University typically earn about $90,428 annually.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning computer science graduates:
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 · 36 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.
