Updated on April 25, 2024
Edited by Evelyn Keener
Learn more about our editorial process

University HQ is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University Headquarters strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the most affordable programs for computer science.

Get Matched With Computer Science Colleges

So, you’ve decided you want to earn a degree in computer science. With this degree, not only will you be entering a growing, valuable field, but you can also expect to receive a healthy paycheck to match. With the world going through continuous technological development, you’ll entering a high-demand discipline with plenty of room to evolve and improve. 

If you're looking for low-cost computer science programs, you’ve come to the right place. In this roundup, we’ll list and introduce the 100 most affordable computer science degrees in the U.S. so you can pick the right school for you.

Compare Popular Online Computer Science Programs

Top 50 Affordable Computer Engineering Colleges and Universities


1

Berea College

Score: 100

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $49,326
    • Out-of-State: $49,326
  • Net Price: $2,020
  • Acceptance Rate: 25%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,433
  • Undergrad Students: 1,433
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Berea College
2

Elizabeth City State University

Score: 87.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,412
    • Out-of-State: $7,412
  • Net Price: $4,120
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,149
  • Undergrad Students: 2,033
  • Graduate Students: 116
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Elizabeth City State University
3

CUNY Hunter College

Score: 83.33

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,382
    • Out-of-State: $15,332
  • Net Price: $4,848
  • Acceptance Rate: 48%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 22,970
  • Undergrad Students: 17,256
  • Graduate Students: 5,714
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY Hunter College
4

CUNY Lehman College

Score: 82.59

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,410
    • Out-of-State: $15,360
  • Net Price: $4,974
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,015
  • Undergrad Students: 11,211
  • Graduate Students: 1,804
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • CUNY Lehman College
5

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 82.43

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,470
    • Out-of-State: $15,420
  • Net Price: $5,001
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,921
  • Undergrad Students: 12,061
  • Graduate Students: 1,860
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
6

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Score: 82.04

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,064
    • Out-of-State: $18,944
  • Net Price: $5,068
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 46%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,426
  • Undergrad Students: 13,969
  • Graduate Students: 2,457
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • California State University-Dominguez Hills
7

CUNY City College

Score: 81.37

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,340
    • Out-of-State: $15,290
  • Net Price: $5,181
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 59%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,489
  • Undergrad Students: 11,929
  • Graduate Students: 2,560
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY City College
8

California State University-Los Angeles

Score: 77.72

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,818
    • Out-of-State: $18,698
  • Net Price: $5,801
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 51%
  • Total Enrollment: 26,460
  • Undergrad Students: 22,737
  • Graduate Students: 3,723
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • California State University-Los Angeles
9

CUNY Brooklyn College

Score: 76.71

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,452
    • Out-of-State: $15,402
  • Net Price: $5,972
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 14,195
  • Undergrad Students: 11,661
  • Graduate Students: 2,534
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • CUNY Brooklyn College
10

Le Moyne-Owen College

Score: 74.73

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,076
    • Out-of-State: $12,076
  • Net Price: $6,308
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 63%
  • Graduation Rate: 18%
  • Total Enrollment: 609
  • Undergrad Students: 609
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $64,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Le Moyne-Owen College
11

Fayetteville State University

Score: 74.45

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,969
    • Out-of-State: $7,969
  • Net Price: $6,355
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,787
  • Undergrad Students: 5,748
  • Graduate Students: 1,039
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Fayetteville State University
12

CUNY Queens College

Score: 73.99

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,538
    • Out-of-State: $15,488
  • Net Price: $6,434
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 17,001
  • Undergrad Students: 14,406
  • Graduate Students: 2,595
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY Queens College
13

Chicago State University

Score: 73.92

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,754
    • Out-of-State: $12,754
  • Net Price: $6,446
  • Acceptance Rate: 49%
  • Retention Rate: 55%
  • Graduation Rate: 28%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,317
  • Undergrad Students: 1,450
  • Graduate Students: 867
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Chicago State University
14

Indiana University-Northwest

Score: 73.29

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,179
    • Out-of-State: $22,043
  • Net Price: $6,553
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 37%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,198
  • Undergrad Students: 2,860
  • Graduate Students: 338
  • Grads Salary: $63,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Indiana University-Northwest
15

CUNY York College

Score: 72.6

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,358
    • Out-of-State: $15,308
  • Net Price: $6,670
  • Acceptance Rate: 59%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,446
  • Undergrad Students: 6,199
  • Graduate Students: 247
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • CUNY York College
16

College of Staten Island CUNY

Score: 69.37

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,490
    • Out-of-State: $15,440
  • Net Price: $7,217
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 69%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,248
  • Undergrad Students: 9,299
  • Graduate Students: 949
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • College of Staten Island CUNY
17

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 69.13

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,896
    • Out-of-State: $21,480
  • Net Price: $7,259
  • Acceptance Rate: 86%
  • Retention Rate: 77%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 15,801
  • Undergrad Students: 10,776
  • Graduate Students: 5,025
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Northern Kentucky University
18

California State University-Fresno

Score: 67.66

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,980
    • Out-of-State: $18,860
  • Net Price: $7,507
  • Acceptance Rate: 95%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 23,999
  • Undergrad Students: 21,354
  • Graduate Students: 2,645
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • California State University-Fresno
19

California State University-Bakersfield

Score: 67.58

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,696
    • Out-of-State: $19,576
  • Net Price: $7,521
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,613
  • Undergrad Students: 8,188
  • Graduate Students: 1,425
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • California State University-Bakersfield
20

California State University-Stanislaus

Score: 67.38

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,826
    • Out-of-State: $19,706
  • Net Price: $7,555
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,154
  • Undergrad Students: 8,926
  • Graduate Students: 1,228
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • California State University-Stanislaus
21

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Score: 67.19

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,327
    • Out-of-State: $20,481
  • Net Price: $7,587
  • Acceptance Rate: 89%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 33%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,721
  • Undergrad Students: 2,465
  • Graduate Students: 6,256
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • Louisiana State University-Shreveport
22

Heritage University

Score: 65.7

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $19,920
    • Out-of-State: $19,920
  • Net Price: $7,841
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 853
  • Undergrad Students: 796
  • Graduate Students: 57
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Heritage University
23

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Score: 65.35

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,656
    • Out-of-State: $4,656
  • Net Price: $7,899
  • Acceptance Rate: 96%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 43,023
  • Undergrad Students: 43,023
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Brigham Young University-Idaho
24

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 65.2

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,073
    • Out-of-State: $18,953
  • Net Price: $7,925
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 40,386
  • Undergrad Students: 35,432
  • Graduate Students: 4,954
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • California State University-Fullerton
25

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 64.14

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,859
    • Out-of-State: $19,939
  • Net Price: $8,105
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,559
  • Undergrad Students: 26,434
  • Graduate Students: 5,125
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
26

Farmingdale State College

Score: 64.11

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,576
    • Out-of-State: $18,486
  • Net Price: $8,111
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 81%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 9,314
  • Undergrad Students: 9,264
  • Graduate Students: 50
  • Grads Salary: $65,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Farmingdale State College
27

Rust College

Score: 63.87

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,840
    • Out-of-State: $13,840
  • Net Price: $8,151
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 755
  • Undergrad Students: 755
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $61,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Rust College
28

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Score: 63.53

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $3,571
    • Out-of-State: $7,571
  • Net Price: $8,208
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 72%
  • Graduation Rate: 45%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,666
  • Undergrad Students: 5,643
  • Graduate Students: 2,023
  • Grads Salary: $56,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 14:1
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
29

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Score: 63.29

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,352
    • Out-of-State: $15,302
  • Net Price: $8,250
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 40%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,640
  • Undergrad Students: 3,640
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • CUNY Medgar Evers College
30

Indiana University-Southeast

Score: 63.2

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,179
    • Out-of-State: $22,043
  • Net Price: $8,264
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Retention Rate: 61%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,672
  • Undergrad Students: 3,227
  • Graduate Students: 445
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Indiana University-Southeast
31

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Score: 61.75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,855
    • Out-of-State: $16,497
  • Net Price: $8,510
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 71%
  • Graduation Rate: 40%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,947
  • Undergrad Students: 3,236
  • Graduate Students: 711
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of Wisconsin-Parkside
32

Coppin State University

Score: 61.45

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,001
    • Out-of-State: $13,789
  • Net Price: $8,562
  • Acceptance Rate: 45%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 24%
  • Total Enrollment: 2,006
  • Undergrad Students: 1,757
  • Graduate Students: 249
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Coppin State University
33

The University of West Florida

Score: 61.17

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,360
    • Out-of-State: $19,241
  • Net Price: $8,609
  • Acceptance Rate: 48%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 53%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,521
  • Undergrad Students: 9,291
  • Graduate Students: 4,230
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • The University of West Florida
34

Eastern New Mexico University

Score: 60.62

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,863
    • Out-of-State: $8,843
  • Net Price: $8,702
  • Acceptance Rate: 28%
  • Retention Rate: 62%
  • Graduation Rate: 41%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,106
  • Undergrad Students: 3,833
  • Graduate Students: 1,273
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Eastern New Mexico University
35

Marshall University

Score: 60.3

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,942
    • Out-of-State: $20,294
  • Net Price: $8,756
  • Acceptance Rate: 97%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,691
  • Undergrad Students: 7,952
  • Graduate Students: 2,739
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Marshall University
36

Indiana University-South Bend

Score: 60.13

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,179
    • Out-of-State: $22,043
  • Net Price: $8,785
  • Acceptance Rate: 87%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 4,326
  • Undergrad Students: 3,753
  • Graduate Students: 573
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • Indiana University-South Bend
37

California State University-San Bernardino

Score: 60.02

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,675
    • Out-of-State: $19,555
  • Net Price: $8,805
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,803
  • Undergrad Students: 17,034
  • Graduate Students: 2,769
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 23:1
  • California State University-San Bernardino
38

California State University-Northridge

Score: 59.24

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,095
    • Out-of-State: $18,975
  • Net Price: $8,936
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 37,579
  • Undergrad Students: 32,181
  • Graduate Students: 5,398
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • California State University-Northridge
39

Monroe College

Score: 57.94

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,922
    • Out-of-State: $17,922
  • Net Price: $9,157
  • Acceptance Rate: 60%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 7,011
  • Undergrad Students: 5,916
  • Graduate Students: 1,095
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Monroe College
40

Purdue University Northwest

Score: 57.91

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,419
    • Out-of-State: $15,620
  • Net Price: $9,162
  • Acceptance Rate: 73%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 44%
  • Total Enrollment: 8,911
  • Undergrad Students: 8,176
  • Graduate Students: 735
  • Grads Salary: $70,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Purdue University Northwest
41

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 57.75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,748
    • Out-of-State: $20,408
  • Net Price: $9,189
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,487
  • Undergrad Students: 11,833
  • Graduate Students: 1,654
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • North Carolina A&T State University
42

Western Governors University

Score: 57.65

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,300
    • Out-of-State: $8,300
  • Net Price: $9,207
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 49%
  • Total Enrollment: 156,935
  • Undergrad Students: 112,807
  • Graduate Students: 44,128
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 42:1
  • Western Governors University
43

California State University-Long Beach

Score: 56.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,008
    • Out-of-State: $18,888
  • Net Price: $9,346
  • Acceptance Rate: 40%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 73%
  • Total Enrollment: 38,973
  • Undergrad Students: 32,931
  • Graduate Students: 6,042
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • California State University-Long Beach
44

Utah Valley University

Score: 56.83

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,270
    • Out-of-State: $17,830
  • Net Price: $9,346
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 68%
  • Graduation Rate: 39%
  • Total Enrollment: 43,099
  • Undergrad Students: 42,296
  • Graduate Students: 803
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 25:1
  • Utah Valley University
45

University of Washington-Bothell

Score: 56.76

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,559
    • Out-of-State: $41,913
  • Net Price: $9,357
  • Acceptance Rate: 88%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,735
  • Undergrad Students: 5,192
  • Graduate Students: 543
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 21:1
  • University of Washington-Bothell
46

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Score: 56.21

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,640
    • Out-of-State: $22,752
  • Net Price: $9,450
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 39%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,607
  • Undergrad Students: 5,636
  • Graduate Students: 971
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
47

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Score: 55.75

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,064
    • Out-of-State: $20,120
  • Net Price: $9,529
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 56%
  • Graduation Rate: 34%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,481
  • Undergrad Students: 1,481
  • Graduate Students: N/A
  • Grads Salary: $86,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 12:1
  • West Virginia University Institute of Technology
48

University of Arkansas Grantham

Score: 55.65

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,280
    • Out-of-State: $8,280
  • Net Price: $9,546
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 36%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 5,436
  • Undergrad Students: 4,598
  • Graduate Students: 838
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 33:1
  • University of Arkansas Grantham
49

The University of Texas at El Paso

Score: 55.55

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,744
    • Out-of-State: $25,512
  • Net Price: $9,563
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 47%
  • Total Enrollment: 23,880
  • Undergrad Students: 20,165
  • Graduate Students: 3,715
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • The University of Texas at El Paso
50

Northeastern State University

Score: 54.92

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,513
    • Out-of-State: $16,633
  • Net Price: $9,669
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Retention Rate: 64%
  • Graduation Rate: 38%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,702
  • Undergrad Students: 5,242
  • Graduate Students: 1,460
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Northeastern State University

Why Earn a Degree in Computer Science?


These days, it's safe to say almost every industry uses technology to conduct or streamline their business. This means they must hire and retain educated individuals who know how to design websites, develop software, and manage databases. These somewhat recent changes to the industry have caused an upsurge in hiring computer scientists and a higher number of college students planning to obtain degrees in that field.

Students and professionals who major in computer science have various high-paying fields at their feet such as web development, network systems administration, information technology, and software engineering. Due to this sudden demand and peak in interest, many businesses are left scrambling to fill positions. In 2019, over 600,000 jobs relating to computer science needed filling, but less than 72,000 graduates in that field were able to fill them.

Are Computer Science Degrees in High Demand?


According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the computer and information technology field is expected to grow by 13% between 2016 and 2026—a faster rate than the average growth rate of all other occupations. By 2026, another 557,100 jobs are expected to be added within the field.

Since 2019, nearly 32,700 people have filled computer science jobs. According to BLS, the projected percentage increase in employment from 2019 to 2029 is 15%. Additional data from NACE’s Winter 2021 Salary Survey show the current increasing value of computer sciences majors in the job market. Many believe this to be a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has emphasized a greater importance of the “virtual world” in which people live, learn, and work.

What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?


By definition, computer science is “a branch of science that deals with the theory of computation or the design of computers”. While that may sound like a mouthful, computer science is simply the study of practical and theoretical applications of computers. Whether it’s Facebook, Google, or video games, almost every new technology we enjoy today couldn’t have been created without computer science. Ideal for problem solvers, this field is perfect for anyone looking to continually learn new things, particularly about today’s rapidly changing, technology-geared world.

The field of computer science offers a wide range of job opportunities, including:

  • Software Developers
  • Database Administrators
  • Web Developers
  • Computer Hardware Engineers
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Computer Network Architects
  • Information Security Analysts
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers
  • Computer and Information Research Scientists
  • IT Project Managers

Beyond the more traditional opportunities within the field, another growing sector related to computer science is artificial intelligence. Computer scientists who are currently developing models that reproduce the reasoning and learning experience are focusing their attention on artificial intelligence. Additionally, cyber security is another rapidly evolving field where computer science professionals are in high demand to protect various groups—like businesses, individuals, and the government—from the growing threat of criminal activities carried out through the internet.

Computer scientists work in various environments, such as the private sector, government, business, academia, and research organizations. Due to such variety, computer science provides considerable range when it comes to finding the right position for you.

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