Most Affordable Online Computer Science Degrees

The University of California Berkeley is the place to be. MIT's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) program is the largest undergrad program.

CollegeChoice.net is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

Affordable Computer Science Degree Programs

A computer science bachelors is one of the most valuable degrees you can get. Technology is constantly evolving, so a recent computer science degree is extremely valuable to companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. Companies like these routinely hire recent computer science graduates.

After crossing the stage to receive your undergrad diploma, you will not have to search hard for employment. Jobs will be searching for you!

What are the Best Computer Science degree programs?

College Choice considers Quality, Reputation, Affordability, Value, and Satisfaction in all of its rankings. For each category we consult a variety of sources, including U.S. News and World Report, the National Center for Educational Statistics, individual program websites, and Payscale.com to produce a list that reflects what we believe are the Best Computer Science Degrees in the country.

Top Computer Science Degree Programs

See our rankings methodology page.

  1. University of California Berkeley
    Location

    Berkeley, CA

    Tuition

    $17160

    Overview

    Founded in 1868, the University of California—Berkeley is the oldest research institution within the University of California public university system. Berkeley’s undergrad program in computer science prepares students for careers as computer professionals. Its excellent computer science degree program is known for producing exceptional students like Steve Wozniak who co-founded Apple Computer.

    Features

    The University of California—Berkeley’s department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences offers many unique options for its undergrad students. Within its bachelor of science degree, it provides the possibility of a focus in computer science and engineering or electrical and computer engineering. For ambitious students, Berkeley offers a five-year Bachelor/Master’s program. A sampling of coursework includes:

    • Computer Architecture and Engineering
    • Feedback Control Systems
    • Analog Integrated Circuits
    • Software Engineering

    Notables

    For students interested in programming, computer graphics and animation, or careers and computer research, the University of California—Berkeley is the place to be. Not only do Berkeley graduates average $80,000 after graduation, but they are also prepared to be among the world’s top computer professionals.

  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Location

    Cambridge, MA

    Tuition

    $21576

    Overview

    The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research institution, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) program is the largest undergrad program at MIT. Its world-renowned faculty and academic rigor position its computer science program to be ranked among the top in the world.

    Features

    MIT’s EECS Department offers four undergraduate majors centered around computer science. Students focusing exclusively on computer science concentrate on making computers faster and more efficient. The EECS Department allows flexibility for students to engage a broad range of issues within its curriculum. Highlight computer science classes include:

    • Computation Structures
    • Introduction to Algorithms
    • Fundamentals of Programming
    • Elements of Software Construction

    Notables

    Starting salaries for MIT students with bachelors degrees in Computer Science average $95,000! MIT prepares its students for many careers from software companies to designing video games. If you see yourself working for companies like IBM, Google, or Microsoft, you will substantially increase your chances with a bachelor in computer science from MIT.

  3. California Institute of Technology
    Location

    Pasadena, CA

    Tuition

    $26839

    Overview

    California Institute of Technology is a world-renowned private university in Pasadena, California. Its Computer Science degree is housed in its Computing + Mathematical Sciences Department (CMS). The CMS Department is among the top-ranked in the United States.

    Features

    The undergrad program offers two degree options: Applied + Computational Mathematics or Computer Science. The Bachelor in Computer Science at California Institute of Technology gives students mathematical and engineering foundations while also giving students the flexibility in other areas like graphics, databases, robotics, and networking. Here’s a look at a few classes:

    • Communication Networks
    • Computer Graphics Research
    • Neural Computation
    • Numerical Algorithms and Implementation

    Notables

    If you are looking for an undergrad degree in computer science that will give you the ability to use computational thinking in many ways and across disciplines, you should check out the California Institute of Technology. Its BSc program prepares students toward becoming faculty at research institutions and to work for organizations like Pixar Animation Studios, Intel, Google, and Facebook.

  4. Georgia Institute of Technology
    Location

    Atlanta, GA

    Tuition

    $13340

    Overview

    Commonly known as Georgia Tech, The Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885 and is located in the southern city of Atlanta, Georgia. As one of the nation’s top undergrad programs, Georgia Tech’s College of Computing offers a Computer Science degree that gives students a solid foundation in the principles of Computer Science and practical skills in the real world.

    Features

    The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science in Computational Media. It’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program trains students to be computer specialists, innovators, and problem solvers. Georgia Tech’s holistic curriculum prepares students beyond computer knowledge, helping students to be world leaders in computing. Classes include:

    • Object Orientation Programming
    • Data Structures and Algorithms
    • Systems and Networks
    • Data Input/Manipulation

    Notables

    Georgia Institute of Technology’s undergraduate program also provides undergrads research opportunities through its Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Computing (UROC) program. The UROC program connects students with potential employers through job fairs. Its spring research symposium also allows students to display their research for cash prizes.

  5. Carnegie Mellon University
    Location

    Pittsburgh, PA

    Tuition

    $35250

    Overview

    Carnegie Mellon University is a private research institution just three miles from Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its Computer Science Department is committed to leading in computer science research and education that has real-world impact. Among the qualities that distinguish Carnegie’s Computer Science program is its commitment to diversity. Carnegie Mellon’s percentage of women receiving bachelor’s degrees in computer science doubles the national average at 33 percent.

    Features

    The undergrad program at Carnegie Mellon allows students to dive deep into computer science with the flexibility of taking other courses in the sciences and humanities. The school also fosters valuable research opportunities on the undergraduate level through part-time jobs, summer jobs or independent study. It even offers an intensive course of research. A sampling of courses includes:

    • Programming Language Semantics
    • Compiler Design
    • Artificial Intelligence: Representation and Problem-Solving
    • Constructive Logic

    Notables

    The starting salary for graduates of Carnegie Mellon’s bachelor of computer science program is approximately $89,000. If you want to study computer science in an urban environment with plenty of career opportunities, Carnegie Mellon’s BSc program may be just for you.

  6. Harvard University
    Location

    Cambridge, MA

    Tuition

    $16205

    Overview

    Known as an Ivy League university with global prestige, Harvard University was established in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offers the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. The Computer Science program aims to help students solve problems effectively using various methods.

    Features

    Students can expect to participate in research on software, graphics, networks, algorithms, and more. Its program of study allows students to combine their computer science studies with other interests like psychology, economics or even linguistics. You may be interested in Harvard if you want to study computer science and you have a passion for other topics. You’ll find engaging courses such as:

    • Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
    • Systems Programming and Machine Organization
    • Privacy and Technology
    • Computing Hardware

    Notables

    Students who have already completed A.P. tests before entering Harvard may be interested in Harvard’s joint bachelor’s/ master’s option. The flexibility of Harvard’s BSc program and its research opportunities, make it stand out as a top undergrad program to receive a computer science degree.

  7. Stanford University
    Location

    Stanford, CA

    Tuition

    $16695

    Overview

    Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University stands as one of the most prestigious institutions in the nation. Stanford’s Computer Science Department is one of the top undergrad programs in the world. The department was established in 1965.

    Features

    Stanford’s Computer Science program permits undergraduates to pursue interests like programming languages, graphics, databases, theory, robotics, and much more. Its undergrad program stands out by giving unique research opportunities, teaching opportunities, and internship and job opportunities. Students are also able to pursue a B.S. and M.S. degree in Computer Science concurrently. Here’s a look at a few classes:

    • Parallel Computing
    • Hardware Accelerators for Machine Learning
    • Mining Massive Data Sets
    • Computability and Logic

    Notables

    Students looking for unique research opportunities, teaching opportunities, or jobs and internships, should check out Stanford’s undergrad program. Its computer science program prepares students for work in their particular field or graduate study on the master’s degree or Ph.D. level.

  8. University of Michigan
    Location

    Ann Arbor, MI

    Tuition

    $16107

    Overview

    The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor is a top-ranking public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan’s computer science degree program is offered through the College of Engineering or (CS-Eng) or through the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (CS-LSA). Students can take courses at both schools as undergrad computer science students.

    Features

    The CS-Eng helps students to develop software, analyze algorithms, and problem solve. The Computer Science degree at the College of Engineering prepares students to create the future by giving them a foundation in computer software, hardware, and theory. The CS-LSA also prepares students by giving them an identical foundation to CS-Eng majors. The Computer Science program includes classes such as:

    • Discrete Mathematics
    • Programming and Elementary Data Structures
    • Data Structures and Algorithms
    • Introduction to Computer Organization

    Notables

    With two departments with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor is a computer science powerhouse. With the Computer Science Majors at the College of Engineering and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the University of Michigan gives you plenty of opportunities to succeed as an undergrad.

  9. Yale University
    Location

    New Haven, CT

    Tuition

    $18319

    Overview

    Founded in 1701, Yale University is a world-renowned Ivy League university in New Haven, Connecticut. Its Department of Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Arts, and a combined Bachelor’s/ Master’s in Computer Science. The Computer Science degree at Yale provides a variety of options for students with various career goals.

    The core of Yale’s undergrad degree: mathematics, data structures, systems programming and computer architecture, and algorithm analysis and design. The Bachelor of Science program helps students to continue computing after graduation while the Bachelor of Arts program allows students to work in other fields.

    Wall Street and software companies heavily recruit computer science graduates of Yale. Not only will an undergrad BSc degree from Yale make you attractive to potential employers, but you will gain research experience at one of the world’s top research institutions.

  10. University of Virginia
    Location

    Charlottesville, VA

    Tuition

    $15945

    Overview

    The University of Virginia, known as UVA, is a high ranking research institution in Charlottesville, Virginia. UVA’s Computer Science Department is housed within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). The computer science major is also offered in UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences.

    UVA’s Department of Computer Science includes 680 undergraduates and 28 faculty members. Undergrad students have opportunities to work with top-rate professors and participate in their research. Its faculty has acquired over $11 million in sponsored research. This makes UVA a great place for students to obtain the computer science degree.

    Students from the University of Virginia are innovating new passageways in areas of: software engineering, programming languages, medical record security, graphics and grid computing, and much more. A bachelor of computer science from UVA will give you foundational skills for rigorous, groundbreaking research in computing. You will have the opportunity to choose from classes at SEAS or the College of Arts and Sciences, work with elite faculty members, and develop your own computer science research skills.

What kind of Computer Science degree should you get?

The list below outlines the best computer science degrees across the country. For a flexible degree you can earn anywhere, we’ve also ranked the Best Online Computer Science Degrees and the Most Affordable Online Computer Science Degrees.

Most of the CS bachelor’s on this list give students the flexibility to focus on interests beyond computers. If students are interested in studying subjects like finance, psychology, or electronics, most universities allow undergraduates to study CS alongside other interests.

Computer Science students learn not only how to think methodically through technical problems, but how to solve practical problems in society.

Computer Science graduates do not just sit behind computers, but they are active world leaders, problem solvers, and innovators.

mini icon

Recommended Schools

What can you do with a Computer Science degree?

Computer Science is a gateway to many different technology degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the expected degree level of most computer science professionals is a Master’s. That means your computer science bachelor’s could likely turn into a variety of different specializations if you go for a graduate degree.

Some computer Science degree specializations include:

How much money can you make with a Computer Science degree?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for computer and information research scientists was $114,520 in 2017. That’s more than double the national average for college graduates!

Salaries in computer science vary just as widely as careers. For instance, Software Publishers earn $132,190 on average, while computer science teachers made around $77,240.

Job outlook for computer science majors is fantastic. Every facet of modern life hinges on computers, and because of that technology professionals are in the highest demand ever. The field is expected to grow by 19 percent in the next 10 years.

mini icon

Recommended Schools

What are the requirements for a Computer Science degree?

There are no specific requirements for computer science majors. Because of the math requirements, schools often focus on solid math scores on the SAT.

It may help your application if you have AP credits for math or science, and have managed to get some Calculus experience in high school.

Why not start coding as soon as you can? There are a lot of home tutorial courses for coding, such as Code academy and Khan Academy. Getting this experience before applying to college will give you a head start above your peers.

Online College Resources

Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience.

Discover a program that is right for you.

Search schools to find the program that is right for you.