Best Computer Programming Master's Programs 2026

Best Computer Programming Programs - Top 10 Master's — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of Southern California

   Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC's cybersecurity program is one of only six featured in Fortune magazine for career advancement potential and offers both traditional on-campus and fully equivalent online delivery through DEN@Viterbi, making it accessible to working professionals worldwide while maintaining the same rigorous USC engineering standards.

   Hakia Insight: University of Southern California's partnerships with Boeing and Raytheon Technologies translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: USC's Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering is a 28-unit professional program housed within the prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering, focusing on the fundamentals of developing, engineering, and operating secure information systems. The program uniquely emphasizes how security policy drives technology decisions, training students in secure operating systems, applications, networking, cryptography, and key management. Available both on-campus and through DEN@Viterbi's fully equivalent online platform, this program serves graduate students seeking careers in computer network operations or those advancing toward doctoral studies with an information security focus.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years); BS Computer Engineering and Computer Science (4 years); BS Computer Science Games (4 years); BS Computer Science and Business Administration (4 years); MS Computer Science (1.5-2 years full-time, 2.5-3 years part-time); PhD Computer Science

   Research Labs: Center for Computer Systems Security - Systems security and cybersecurity research; STEEL Security Research Lab - Security systems and privacy research; ANT (Analysis of Network Traffic Lab) - Network security and traffic analysis

   Industry Partners: Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, PwC, IBM

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: Strong employment outcomes reported | Top Employers: Bloomberg, Boeing, Northrop Gruman, PwC, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Justice, IBM | Common Roles: Detection Engineering, Product Security Engineer, Network Engineer, Cyber Risk Associate, Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Professor Newman (Cybersecurity research)

   Admissions: GPA: Bachelor's degree required, preferably in engineering, computer science, economics, hard sciences, or mathematics

   Accreditations: ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC), ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)

2. #2. Columbia University in the City of New York

   Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,526/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 92.0

   What makes Columbia University in the City of New York stand out: Columbia CS uniquely combines Ivy League academic rigor with Manhattan's tech ecosystem, offering specialized pathways like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science and faculty-invite-only personalized tracks that leverage the university's position as a global research hub in one of the world's major technology centers.

   Hakia Insight: Columbia University in the City of New York's Computer Graphics Lab creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with New York City Tech Industry, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: Columbia University's Computer Science program sits at the heart of Manhattan's vibrant tech ecosystem, offering a comprehensive Master of Science degree that spans ten specialized pathways from Machine Learning to Computational Biology. The 30-credit program requires students to complete coursework at the 4000 level or above, with at least 6 points at the advanced 6000 level, while maintaining a 2.7 GPA. What sets Columbia apart is its faculty-determined pathway system that allows deep specialization in areas like Computer Security, Natural Language Processing, Vision Graphics Interaction and Robotics, and Software Systems, alongside unique offerings like the dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science. The program leverages Columbia's position in New York City to provide unparalleled industry connections and career opportunities across multiple sectors. Students can participate in state-of-the-art research within the department's specialized labs and research groups, while the Columbia Video Network (CVN) option extends access to working professionals. The department also offers an innovative MS Bridge Program and maintains strong ties to Columbia Engineering's broader research ecosystem, including partnerships with the Data Science Institute and various interdisciplinary centers.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science (2 years); Dual MS in Journalism and Computer Science (5 semesters); MS Bridge Program (2 years); Computer Engineering MS (2 years)

   Research Labs: Computer Graphics Lab - computer graphics; Computer Vision Lab - computer vision; Databases and Digital Libraries Lab - databases and digital libraries; Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery Lab - data mining; Distributed Systems Lab - distributed systems; Mobile and Wearable Computing Lab - mobile and wearable computing; Natural Language Processing Lab - natural language processing; Networking Lab - networking; Operating Systems Lab - operating systems; Programming Systems Lab - programming systems; Robotics Lab - robotics; User Interfaces Lab - user interfaces; Real-time Multimedia Lab - real-time multimedia

   Industry Partners: New York City Tech Industry

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Jae Woo Lee (Director of Undergraduate Studies); Peter N. Belhumeur (Professor); Steven M. Bellovin (Professor); Julia B. Hirschberg (Professor); Bjarne Stroustrup (Professor)

   Admissions: GPA: Minimum 2.7 GPA to maintain standing

3. #3. University of California-San Diego

   Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 90.4

   What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: UCSD's CS program uniquely combines access to the San Diego Supercomputer Center's national-scale computing infrastructure with an interdisciplinary curriculum option, while maintaining direct pathways for exceptional MS students to transition into the PhD program.

   Hakia Insight: Access to San Diego Supercomputer Center's national research infrastructure

   Program Overview: UC San Diego's Computer Science and Engineering Department offers both Master of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering) degrees, designed to serve diverse post-graduate educational needs. The program provides three distinct pathways: a Thesis Plan for research-oriented students, a Comprehensive Standard Plan, and a unique Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan that requires additional coursework in another department. What sets UCSD apart is its rigorous three-pronged curriculum structure ensuring students master fundamental concepts, gain breadth across multiple CS domains (Theory, Systems, and Applications), and develop deep expertise in their chosen specialization area. The program accommodates both full-time students and working professionals through part-time options, with a minimum three-quarter residency requirement. Located in La Jolla with proximity to the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), students gain access to cutting-edge computational resources including the Expanse supercomputer and AI-integrated computing environments that have powered breakthrough scientific research since the early Cray systems era.

   Degree Programs: B.S. Computer Science (4 years); B.S. Computer Engineering (4 years); B.S. Computer Science with Specialization in Bioinformatics (4 years); B.S. Artificial Intelligence (4 years); Minor in Computer Science

   Research Labs: San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) - High-performance computing, AI-integrated systems, and cyberinfrastructure from early Cray systems to modern supercomputers

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for good academic standing

   Accreditations: University of California accreditation

4. #4. University of California-Los Angeles

   Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 88.5

   What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA Anderson's MSBA is the only program ranked #1 globally that specifically trains data scientists to communicate compelling 'data stories' to non-technical business leaders, bridging the critical gap between analytics and C-suite decision making.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Los Angeles's partnerships with Boston Consulting Group and Nextdoor translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: UCLA offers a standout Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program through the prestigious Anderson School of Management, ranked #1 globally by QS World University Rankings in 2026. This 15-month, STEM-certified on-campus program is designed to bridge the critical gap between technical data skills and business strategy, training students to translate massive datasets into actionable business insights. The program features an exceptional 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio and is led by renowned faculty like Professor Felipe Caro, who helped Zara revolutionize its supply chain into a fast-fashion empire. Students gain hands-on experience through Applied Analytics Projects with top companies, industry seminars, and specialized workshops in data storytelling and business communication. The curriculum combines rigorous quantitative training with business acumen, preparing graduates to become invaluable assets who can speak both the language of data science and executive strategy.

   Degree Programs: MS; PhD

   Research Labs: Autonomous Intelligent Networks and Systems Center - autonomous intelligent networks and systems; Domain-Specific Computing Center - domain-specific computing; Embedded Networked Sensing Center - embedded networked sensing; Information Security Center - information security; Wireless Health Center - wireless health

   Industry Partners: Boston Consulting Group, Nextdoor, Uber

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 98% full-time placement within 6 months | Top Employers: Boston Consulting Group, Nextdoor, Big Tech companies, Entertainment industry, E-commerce/Retail, Finance/Fintech | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Product Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Product Manager, Data Engineer, Analytics Consultant

   Notable Faculty: Felipe Caro (Supply chain optimization and operations research); Francisco Castro (Market operations and spatial analytics); Paola Giuliano (Cultural economics and political economy); Auyon Siddiq (Urban mobility and healthcare analytics)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: STEM-certified program

5. #5. University of California-Irvine

   Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 87.6

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UC Irvine is the only independent computing school in the University of California system, enabling a uniquely broad, multidisciplinary approach to software engineering that bridges computer science, engineering, mathematics, and behavioral sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's partnerships with Amazon and Google translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: UC Irvine's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers two distinct Master of Software Engineering pathways designed for different career goals. The Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) is a professionally-oriented program offering both 15-month full-time and 24-month part-time tracks, specifically tailored for working professionals and career changers. This program emphasizes practical skills through internships and industry capstone projects, with comprehensive coverage of AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE) tools and Software Engineering for AI (SE4AI) systems. For those seeking research-focused training, the M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) program provides a heavily research-oriented experience requiring thesis completion and designed as preparation for doctoral studies or research careers in corporate and government laboratories. The school's faculty lead cutting-edge research through specialized labs including the Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL), the Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) lab, and collaborations with the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2).

   Degree Programs: Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) (15 months full-time, 24 months part-time); M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) (2 years)

   Research Labs: Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL) - Software engineering research and analysis; Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) - AI-enhanced software testing and reliability; California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) - Telecommunications and information technology research

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Capital One, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Costar Group, Veeva Systems, Northrop Grumman

   Notable Faculty: Marios C. Papaefthymiou (Dean of Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences)

   Admissions:

6. #6. Cornell University

   Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 85.0

   What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.

   Hakia Insight: Cornell University's partnerships with Meta and Google translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Cornell University offers multiple pathways into computer science graduate education, each with distinct advantages for different career trajectories. The Master of Science in Computer Science, housed at Cornell's Ithaca campus, represents a highly selective, research-intensive program that combines advanced coursework with mandatory thesis research and teaching assistantships. This four-semester program requires 34 credit hours, including 6-12 credits of thesis research, and provides full funding through teaching assistantships for students maintaining good standing. In New York City, Cornell Tech offers a one-year Master of Engineering in Computer Science designed for immediate industry impact, featuring the innovative Studio curriculum where students build complete digital solutions for real companies in cross-disciplinary teams with business and law students. The Ithaca MS program particularly appeals to self-motivated researchers who thrive in mentoring environments, as students gain valuable teaching experience with undergraduates while conducting specialized research. Cornell Tech's Manhattan location provides direct access to NYC's tech ecosystem, with students working on innovation challenges from real companies and learning from faculty with extensive industry experience. Both programs benefit from Cornell's broader research infrastructure, including world-class facilities like the Cornell Center for Advanced Computing and specialized research groups in artificial intelligence, security and privacy, and human-computer interaction.

   Degree Programs: BA Computer Science; BS Computer Science; Master of Engineering Computer Science (2 semesters); Master of Science Computer Science; PhD Computer Science; Master of Engineering Computer Science (Part Time)

   Research Labs: Initiative for Cryptocurrencies & Contracts (IC3) - Blockchain science and cryptocurrency research; Digital Life Initiative (DLI) - Ethics, policy, and quality of life in socio-technical systems; People-Aware Computing Lab - Mobile sensing systems for capturing human context and activities; XR Collaboratory (XRC) - Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality research

   Industry Partners: Meta, Google, Amazon, Apple, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Disney Streaming Services

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% of Cornell Tech CS graduates accept Software Developer roles | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft | Common Roles: Software Developer, Product Manager, Program Manager, Data Scientist, Research positions

   Notable Faculty: Vitaly Shmatikov (Digital privacy, computer security, machine learning security); Yoav Artzi (Natural language processing, machine learning); Noah Snavely (Computer vision, computer graphics); Helen Nissenbaum (Ethics and policy in technology)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: AI for Engineers Certificate available at Cornell Tech

7. #7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

   Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,768/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 84.0

   What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand out: Illinois created one of the first and most extensive CS + X blended degree programs in the nation, allowing students to combine computer science with fields ranging from crop sciences to music, while maintaining guaranteed admission pathways for Illinois graduates into their nationally-ranked MCS programs.

   Hakia Insight: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's partnerships with Amazon and Apple translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Siebel School of Computing and Data Science offers one of the nation's most distinguished computer science programs, consistently ranked #7 overall in undergraduate CS by U.S. News & World Report. The school provides multiple pathways including a traditional B.S. in Computer Science, over a dozen innovative CS + X blended degrees (combining CS with fields like astronomy, bioengineering, advertising, and music), and flexible graduate options. At the graduate level, students can pursue a research-focused M.S. or Ph.D., a professional Master of Computer Science (MCS) available on-campus, online through Coursera partnership, or at their Chicago location. The online MCS is particularly noteworthy as a 32-credit hour, coursework-only degree that can be completed in 1-5 years with full flexibility. The program leverages world-class research infrastructure including partnerships with major tech companies and government agencies. Students learn in the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science and benefit from extensive research opportunities across eleven specialized areas from artificial intelligence to quantum computing. The school's 95% undergraduate internship participation rate and 96% job placement rate within six months demonstrate strong industry connections, with graduates regularly joining Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and other top-tier employers.

   Degree Programs: B.S. in Computer Science (4 years); CS + X Blended Degrees (4 years); Master of Computer Science (MCS) (1-2 years); Ph.D. in Computer Science (4-6 years); Illinois Computing Accelerator for Non-Specialists (iCAN) (15 months)

   Research Labs: Architecture, Compilers and Parallel Computing - computer architecture and parallel systems; Artificial Intelligence - AI research; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology - computational biology; Data and Intelligent Systems - data systems and intelligence; Interactive Computing - human-computer interaction; Programming Languages, Formal Methods and Software Engineering - software engineering and formal methods; Scientific Computing - computational science; Security and Privacy - cybersecurity; Systems and Networking - computer systems and networks; Theory and Algorithms - theoretical computer science

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Netflix, IBM, Capital One, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 96% secure first choice destination, 97% overall placement rate | Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Capital One, Epic Systems, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Netflix | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Product Manager, Quantitative Developer, API Engineer, Application Developer

   Admissions: GPA: 3.7+ GPA in CS courses for guaranteed MCS admission

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited through The Grainger College of Engineering

8. #8. Stanford University

   Location: Stanford, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $61,731/year | Score: 82.9

   What makes Stanford University stand out: Stanford's Statistics and Data Science program sits at the epicenter of Silicon Valley, offering unmatched access to tech giants and startups while being backed by one of the world's most prestigious statistics departments with deep ties to industry innovation.

   Hakia Insight: Stanford University's partnerships with Google and Apple translate research into real-world experience — a key differentiator for hiring managers.

   Program Overview: Stanford University offers a rigorous M.S. in Statistics and Data Science, a terminal master's program designed for immediate career placement in the rapidly expanding data science field. The program typically takes 5-6 quarters to complete (excluding summer), requiring 45 units of coursework that blends theoretical statistical foundations with practical machine learning applications. Students begin with core courses like Probability Theory for Statistical Inference (STATS 118) and Statistical Learning and Data Science (STATS 202), progressing through advanced topics including causal inference, matrix theory, and specialized electives. The curriculum emphasizes both R and Python programming skills, with hands-on experience analyzing real datasets of moderate size. What sets Stanford's program apart is its location in the heart of Silicon Valley and deep integration with the broader Stanford ecosystem. Students benefit from mandatory orientations, close faculty mentoring through assigned advisors, and access to Stanford's renowned research infrastructure. The program attracts a diverse cohort from around the world, with students expected to live within commuting distance to ensure significant engagement with the department and faculty. Career prospects are exceptionally strong, with graduates finding positions across technology, finance, healthcare, and government sectors, particularly in the Bay Area where Stanford's Silicon Valley location provides unparalleled industry access.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) - Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics; Stanford Computer Systems Laboratory - Computer systems and architecture; Stanford Graphics Laboratory - Computer graphics and visualization; Stanford Cyber Policy Center - Cybersecurity and policy

   Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Technology sector companies, Finance industry, Government services, Healthcare organizations | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Research Analyst, Software Engineer, Program Manager, Business Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Andrew Ng (Machine learning and AI); Fei-Fei Li (Computer vision and AI); Barbara Liskov (Programming languages and software engineering); Jennifer Widom (Database systems and data management)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

9. #9. University of California-Berkeley

   Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 82.5

   What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: Berkeley EECS created BAIR, one of the world's most influential AI research labs, and maintains unique Silicon Valley connections where the most exceptional teachers are often also the most exceptional researchers, unlike many peer institutions.

   Hakia Insight: With a 12% acceptance rate, University of California-Berkeley's computer programming program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC Berkeley's Computer Science program stands as one of the world's most prestigious and influential CS programs, housed within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS). The program offers multiple pathways including a PhD in Computer Science, MS in Computer Science, and the innovative one-year Master of Engineering (MEng) designed for industry professionals. Berkeley's CS program is uniquely positioned in the Bay Area, where regular faculty - many of whom are leading researchers - teach the majority of courses, ensuring students learn from the most exceptional minds in the field. The program spans cutting-edge research areas from artificial intelligence and robotics at the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) to quantum computing at the Berkeley Quantum Information and Computation Center (BQIC). With over 200 graduate programs university-wide and consistently ranking among the top doctoral programs nationwide, Berkeley offers an unparalleled academic environment where students work alongside faculty on projects that cross disciplinary boundaries to improve everyday life.

   Degree Programs: PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years typical); MS in Computer Science (2 years); Master of Engineering (MEng) in EECS (1 academic year); MS/PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)

   Research Labs: Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) - Brings together researchers across computer vision, machine learning, NLP, planning, and robotics with over two dozen faculty and hundreds of graduate students; Berkeley Quantum Information and Computation Center (BQIC) - Quantum information processing investigating computational tasks like integer factorization and secure quantum communication; Berkeley Laboratory for Information and System Sciences (BLISS) - Research center focused on communications, information and coding theory, optimization, statistics and control; Berkeley Laboratory for Usable and Experimental Security (BLUES) - Research at intersection of computer security, online privacy, and human-computer interaction; Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS) - Brings together domain experts from life, social, and physical sciences with methodological experts from computer science and statistics

   Industry Partners: Berkeley Deep Drive (BDD), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Professor Dan Garcia (Computer Science Education - teaches 'The Beauty and Joy of Computing'); DeNero (Computer Science - teaches CS 61A)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MEng program, 3.7 average for admitted students | Acceptance Rate: 12% average for MEng program

10. #10. University of California-Santa Barbara

    Location: Santa Barbara, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 81.1

    What makes University of California-Santa Barbara stand out: UCSB CS excels in machine learning, distributed systems, and data science research. Strong emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities. Growing tech presence in Santa Barbara with Amazon, Google, and startups nearby.

    Hakia Insight: With a 26% acceptance rate, University of California-Santa Barbara's computer programming program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

    Program Overview: UC Santa Barbara CS department is ranked top 40 nationally with strong research in machine learning, data science, and systems. Beautiful coastal campus with 90% graduation rate and strong tech industry connections.

    Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years)

    Research Labs: Four Eyes Lab - Human-computer interaction; MINDS Group - Machine learning

    Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, ML Engineer

    Notable Faculty: Chandra Chekuri (Algorithms and optimization)

    Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 26%

    Accreditations: ABET Accredited