- 1.Hakia's analysis of the best computer science doctoral degree programs reveals that computer science PhD graduates in industry research earn $150,000 median salary (BLS, 2024), while tenure-track faculty earn $120,000-$180,000.
- 2.Our top-ranked doctoral programs are University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California—selected for research output, funding, and graduate placement.
- 3.Most PhD programs are fully funded: tuition waiver + $25,000-40,000/year stipend. You should not pay for a PhD.
- 4.Average time to degree is 5-6 years, though it varies by research area and advisor.
- 5.60% of computer science PhD graduates enter industry research (Google, Meta, Microsoft Research); 40% pursue academic careers.
Source: A computer science PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
Why Pursue a Computer Science PhD?
A PhD is the terminal research degree in computer science—required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers with advanced degrees can earn $208,000+ or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
- Aspiring academics: Tenure-track faculty positions require a PhD
- Research scientists: Industry labs (Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI) recruit PhDs for cutting-edge research
- Deep specialists: Those who want to push the boundaries of computer science
- Intellectually curious: People who find fulfillment in solving hard, unsolved problems
The PhD Value Proposition
- Fully funded: No tuition + $25K-45K/year stipend (you're paid to learn)
- Research freedom: Work on problems that interest you with expert guidance
- Career options: Both academic ($100K-200K faculty) and lucrative industry paths ($150K-400K+ research scientist)
- Expertise: Become a world expert in computer science
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
Best Computer Science PhD Programs - Top 10
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley EECS is home to the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, one of the world's leading AI research centers, and 37 faculty elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
University of California-Berkeley Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 in computer science degree program.
University of California-Berkeley's Computer Science program graduates 49 students annually with a 96% graduation rate. San Francisco Bay Area tech hub
Hakia Insight: University of California-Berkeley leverages partnerships with Google and Microsoft to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Big data analytics and machine learning
Computer networking and systems
Real-time intelligence systems
Cloud computing and distributed systems
Location Advantages
- •San Francisco Bay Area tech hub
- •Proximity to Silicon Valley companies
- •Strong connections to Google, Meta, and startups
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google Research, Meta AI, Microsoft Research, OpenAI, Top research universities
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of California-Los Angeles
UCLA is the #1 public university in the country. UCLA CS is #1 in Cryptography, #2 in Computational Biology, #3 in Artificial Intelligence, and #7 in Machine Learning on CSrankings.org.
University of California-Los Angeles Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #2 in computer science degree program.
University of California-Los Angeles's Computer Science program graduates 30 students annually with a 92% graduation rate. Los Angeles tech ecosystem
Hakia Insight: University of California-Los Angeles's direct partnerships with Google and Amazon give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Los Angeles tech ecosystem
- •Entertainment industry connections
- •Strong startup scene
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Research universities
Admissions
University of Southern California
USC CS features the Institute for Creative Technologies and Robotics Interaction Lab, with cutting-edge research in multi-robot coordination, NLP, affective computing, and programming languages.
University of Southern California Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in computer science degree program.
University of Southern California's Computer Science program graduates 53 students annually with a 92% graduation rate. Los Angeles tech and entertainment hub
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Google and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Los Angeles tech and entertainment hub
- •Proximity to major tech companies
- •Strong startup ecosystem
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Amazon, Defense contractors, Research universities, Tech startups
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
The Allen School offers a collegial learning environment with entrepreneurial faculty and extensive industry collaborations in the Seattle tech ecosystem, home to Microsoft, Amazon, and numerous tech engineering centers.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #4 in computer science degree program.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Computer Science program graduates 61 students annually with a 97% graduation rate. Located in Seattle tech hub
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Microsoft Research and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Located in Seattle tech hub
- •Direct access to Microsoft and Amazon headquarters
- •Proximity to hundreds of technology companies
- •Strong venture capital and startup ecosystem
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Microsoft Research, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of California-San Diego
UCSD CSE offers a vibrant, diverse graduate population with research spanning theory, hardware, and operating systems, with greater hardware emphasis in computer engineering specialization.
University of California-San Diego Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego as the #5 in computer science degree program.
University of California-San Diego's Computer Science program graduates 38 students annually with a 81% graduation rate. San Diego biotech and tech corridor
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Qualcomm and Google, University of California-San Diego bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •San Diego biotech and tech corridor
- •Qualcomm headquarters proximity
- •Strong defense industry presence
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Qualcomm, Google, Amazon, Biotech companies, Research universities
Admissions
Stanford University
Stanford CS consistently ranks among the top programs worldwide, with pioneering faculty in AI, systems, theory, and human-computer interaction, and deep connections to Silicon Valley.
Stanford University Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks Stanford University as the #6 in computer science degree program.
Stanford University offers comprehensive Computer Science programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Heart of Silicon Valley
Hakia Insight: Stanford University's direct partnerships with Google and Apple give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Heart of Silicon Valley
- •Walking distance to tech giants
- •Unparalleled startup ecosystem
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Apple, Meta, OpenAI, Top research universities
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
University of California-Irvine
UCI CS offers comprehensive research across AI/ML, bioinformatics, architecture, graphics, security, and algorithms, with strong financial support through TA/RA positions and corporate fellowships.
University of California-Irvine Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #7 in computer science degree program.
University of California-Irvine's Computer Science program graduates 22 students annually with a 96% graduation rate. Orange County tech corridor
Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Google and Amazon — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Orange County tech corridor
- •Proximity to LA and San Diego tech scenes
- •Strong gaming industry connections
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Gaming companies, Research universities
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT EECS houses the world-renowned Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), with pioneering research across AI, systems, and electrical engineering.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #8 in computer science degree program.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers comprehensive Computer Science programs at multiple degree levels, combining rigorous academics with practical experience. Cambridge/Boston tech hub
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Google and Microsoft Research — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Carbon flux tracking across ocean interfaces
Marine microbiomes and bacterial ecology
Ocean acidification and marine organism responses
Coral reef ecology and climate adaptation
Marine mammal behavior and acoustics
Phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics
Deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems
Larval fish ecology and population dynamics
Marine pollution and microplastics research
Location Advantages
- •Cambridge/Boston tech hub
- •Proximity to Harvard, biotech corridor
- •Strong venture capital presence
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI, OpenAI, Top research universities
Admissions
Cornell University
Cornell CS has a long tradition of pioneering research with world-class faculty covering all of computer science, plus unique dual-campus presence in Ithaca and New York City (Cornell Tech).
Cornell University Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #9 in computer science degree program.
Cornell University's Computer Science program graduates 33 students annually with a 95% graduation rate. Ithaca campus with research focus
Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Google and Microsoft, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Location Advantages
- •Ithaca campus with research focus
- •Cornell Tech in NYC for industry connections
- •Access to both academic and startup environments
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NYC tech companies, Research universities
Admissions
Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia CS offers research opportunities through the Data Science Institute and Center of AI Technology, with distinguished strengths in vision, graphics, security, networks, machine learning, architecture, and NLP.
Columbia University in the City of New York Computer Science Program Overview
Hakia ranks Columbia University in the City of New York as the #10 in computer science degree program.
Columbia University in the City of New York's Computer Science program graduates 24 students annually with a 100% graduation rate. New York City location
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google NYC and Meta NYC, Columbia University in the City of New York bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
computer graphics
computer vision
databases and digital libraries
data mining
distributed systems
mobile computing
NLP
networking
robotics
user interfaces
Location Advantages
- •New York City location
- •Access to finance and media industries
- •Strong startup and tech company presence
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Meta, Amazon, Finance companies, Research universities
Admissions
Best Computer Science PhD Programs - Top 10 — Complete Program Data
#1. University of California-Berkeley Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 in computer science degree program. Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 100.0
What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: Berkeley EECS is home to the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, one of the world's leading AI research centers, and 37 faculty elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
Hakia Insight: University of California-Berkeley leverages partnerships with Google and Microsoft to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Program Overview: UC Berkeley's EECS Department offers a top-ranked PhD program typically completed in 5-6 years starting with a Bachelor's or 3-5 years with a Master's. The program combines coursework and original research with exceptional faculty mentoring to prepare students for careers in academia or industry. EECS faculty have won numerous prestigious awards including the National Medal of Science, National Medal of Technology & Innovation, and six ACM A.M. Turing Awards.
Degree Programs: BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-7 years)
Research Labs: Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab - Artificial intelligence and machine learning; AMP Lab - Big data analytics and machine learning; NetSys Lab - Computer networking and systems; RISE Lab - Real-time intelligence systems; Sky Computing Lab - Cloud computing and distributed systems
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Facebook, Apple, DARPA
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google Research, Meta AI, Microsoft Research, OpenAI, Top research universities
Notable Faculty: Stuart Russell (Artificial intelligence); David Patterson (Computer architecture); Dawn Song (Computer security); Pieter Abbeel (Robotics and machine learning)
Admissions: GPA: Minimum 3.0 (B) on 4.0 scale
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#2. University of California-Los Angeles Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #2 in computer science degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 97.1
What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA is the #1 public university in the country. UCLA CS is #1 in Cryptography, #2 in Computational Biology, #3 in Artificial Intelligence, and #7 in Machine Learning on CSrankings.org.
Hakia Insight: University of California-Los Angeles's direct partnerships with Google and Amazon give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Program Overview: UCLA's Computer Science PhD program is ranked #11 nationally with expected completion in 6 years (18 quarters). Students select one major field and two minors from areas including Artificial Intelligence, Computer Networks, Theory, Graphics and Vision, and Software Systems. The program emphasizes both breadth and depth, with faculty winning major awards across all fields.
Degree Programs: BS; MS; PhD
Research Labs: UCLA Artificial Intelligence Lab; Computational Systems Biology Lab; Graphics and Vision Lab; Security Research Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Netflix
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Research universities
Notable Faculty: 22+ distinct faculty with major awards; Leaders in AI, cryptography, and systems
Admissions: GPA: Average admitted GPA is 3.75
#3. University of Southern California Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in computer science degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $66,640/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 97.0
What makes University of Southern California stand out: USC CS features the Institute for Creative Technologies and Robotics Interaction Lab, with cutting-edge research in multi-robot coordination, NLP, affective computing, and programming languages.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Southern California benefit from active collaborations with Google and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: USC's Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science PhD program emphasizes research from day one, with students spending at least half their time on research under faculty direction. The program features rigorous qualifying examinations (written and oral portions) and requires two semesters of teaching practicum. Faculty review all PhD students each semester.
Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-6 years)
Research Labs: Institute for Creative Technologies; Robotics Interaction Lab; NLP Research Group; Programming Languages/Software Engineering Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Defense contractors, Entertainment industry, USC spinoff startups
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Defense contractors, Research universities, Tech startups
Notable Faculty: Maja Matarić (Social robotics); Gaurav Sukhatme (Robotics and sensor networks); Milind Tambe (AI for social good)
Admissions: GPA: Competitive admission
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#4. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #4 in computer science degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 94.4
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: The Allen School offers a collegial learning environment with entrepreneurial faculty and extensive industry collaborations in the Seattle tech ecosystem, home to Microsoft, Amazon, and numerous tech engineering centers.
Hakia Insight: Students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus benefit from active collaborations with Microsoft Research and Amazon, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering PhD program hosts 300 full-time graduate students with approximately 60 new admits annually. Ranked among the top CS programs nationally, students benefit from Seattle's position as headquarters for Microsoft and Amazon, plus engineering centers from major tech companies.
Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (4 years); Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Data Science (4 years); Professional Master's Program; Ph.D.
Research Labs: Allen School AI Labs; Systems and Networking Research; Human-Computer Interaction Lab; Security and Privacy Lab
Industry Partners: Microsoft Research, Amazon, Google Seattle, Meta Seattle, Apple Seattle
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Microsoft Research, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple
Notable Faculty: Professor Natasha Jaques (AI safety and human-AI interaction); Professor Sheng Wang (computational biology and AI for healthcare); Professor James Fogarty (human-computer interaction); Professor Shyam Gollakota (mobile intelligence and networking); Professor Noah Smith (artificial intelligence); Professor Katharina Reinecke (human-computer interaction and digital culture); Professor Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman (computer vision and graphics)
Admissions: GPA: Minimum 3.0 on 4.0 scale
Accreditations: ABET
#5. University of California-San Diego Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego as the #5 in computer science degree program. Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 93.4
What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: UCSD CSE offers a vibrant, diverse graduate population with research spanning theory, hardware, and operating systems, with greater hardware emphasis in computer engineering specialization.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Qualcomm and Google, University of California-San Diego bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Program Overview: UC San Diego's CSE department has approximately 800 MS and PhD students with PhD and MS degrees in both computer science and computer engineering. The 37-unit coursework requirement ensures breadth (four courses from four areas) and depth (five electives) plus six undergraduate competency areas. Students must advance to candidacy by end of third year.
Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years); BS Computer Engineering (4 years); BS Artificial Intelligence (4 years); BS Computer Science with Bioinformatics Specialization (4 years)
Research Labs: Systems and Networking Lab; AI and Machine Learning Research; Computer Vision Lab; Security Research Group
Industry Partners: Qualcomm, Google, Amazon, Biotech companies, Defense contractors
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Qualcomm, Google, Amazon, Biotech companies, Research universities
Notable Faculty: World-class faculty in systems and theory; Interdisciplinary connections across UCSD
Admissions: GPA: Competitive admission
#6. Stanford University Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks Stanford University as the #6 in computer science degree program. Location: Stanford, CA | Type: Private | Tuition: $61,731/year | Score: 92.9
What makes Stanford University stand out: Stanford CS consistently ranks among the top programs worldwide, with pioneering faculty in AI, systems, theory, and human-computer interaction, and deep connections to Silicon Valley.
Hakia Insight: Stanford University's direct partnerships with Google and Apple give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.
Program Overview: Stanford's Computer Science PhD is a top-ranked research-oriented program typically completed in 5-6 years. There are very few course requirements - the emphasis is on preparation for research careers. First-year students rotate in three different labs before selecting a permanent advisor. Students must complete 135 course units and maintain 3.0 GPA.
Degree Programs: Ph.D. in Computer Science (5-6 years)
Research Labs: Stanford AI Lab (SAIL); Stanford Human-Computer Interaction Group; Stanford Security Lab; Stanford NLP Group
Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Meta, NVIDIA, Stanford startups
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Meta, OpenAI, Top research universities
Notable Faculty: World-renowned researchers across all CS areas; Deep Silicon Valley connections
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum required for degree conferral
Accreditations: ABET
#7. University of California-Irvine Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #7 in computer science degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 92.3
What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UCI CS offers comprehensive research across AI/ML, bioinformatics, architecture, graphics, security, and algorithms, with strong financial support through TA/RA positions and corporate fellowships.
Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Google and Amazon — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: UC Irvine's Computer Science PhD is the largest doctoral program on campus with over 250 students enrolled. Students conduct groundbreaking research across virtually every core area of computing under world-class faculty. Two quarters of TA service required, with advisor affiliation by end of sixth quarter and candidacy by end of third year.
Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); MS in Computer Science (2 years); PhD in Computer Science (5-6 years)
Research Labs: AI and Machine Learning Lab; Bioinformatics Research Group; Graphics and Visual Computing Lab; Security and Cryptography Lab
Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Orange County tech companies
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Gaming companies, Research universities
Notable Faculty: Alex Nicolau (Computer architecture and compilers); Gene Tsudik (Computer security and cryptography); Sameer Singh (Natural language processing)
Admissions: GPA: Competitive admission
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the #8 in computer science degree program. Location: Cambridge, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $59,750/year | Score: 91.7
What makes Massachusetts Institute of Technology stand out: MIT EECS houses the world-renowned Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), with pioneering research across AI, systems, and electrical engineering.
Hakia Insight: Massachusetts Institute of Technology's industry network — including Google and Microsoft Research — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Program Overview: MIT EECS is the largest department in the School of Engineering with about 700 doctoral students. There is no terminal master's - all PhD students earn an MS en route. Research is conducted in interdepartmental labs including CSAIL, LIDS, MTL, and RLE. Students complete Technical Qualifying Evaluation (4 courses across 3 groups), Research Qualifying Exam, and minor requirement.
Degree Programs: bachelors program (4 years); MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (1-2 years)
Research Labs: Carbon flux tracking across ocean interfaces - Carbon flux tracking across ocean interfaces; Marine microbiomes and bacterial ecology - Marine microbiomes and bacterial ecology; Ocean acidification and marine organism responses - Ocean acidification and marine organism responses; Coral reef ecology and climate adaptation - Coral reef ecology and climate adaptation; Marine mammal behavior and acoustics - Marine mammal behavior and acoustics; Phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics - Phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics; Deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems - Deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems; Larval fish ecology and population dynamics - Larval fish ecology and population dynamics; Marine pollution and microplastics research - Marine pollution and microplastics research
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft Research, Amazon, Meta AI, Defense contractors
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google Research, Microsoft Research, Meta AI, OpenAI, Top research universities
Notable Faculty: ~700 doctoral students in EECS; World leaders in AI, systems, and theory
Admissions: GPA: Highly competitive
#9. Cornell University Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #9 in computer science degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 91.1
What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell CS has a long tradition of pioneering research with world-class faculty covering all of computer science, plus unique dual-campus presence in Ithaca and New York City (Cornell Tech).
Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Google and Microsoft, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: Cornell's CS PhD is consistently ranked among the top six programs nationally, with faculty and students at both Ithaca and Cornell Tech (NYC) campuses. Students must take five 5000/6000-level courses covering three CS areas and all three research styles (theoretical, systems, applied). Two minors required - one external to CS.
Degree Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Master of Engineering in Computer Science (two-semester); Master of Science in Computer Science; Ph.D. in Computer Science; Special Master's in Computer Science
Research Labs: Cornell AI Lab; Systems and Networking Research; Programming Languages Lab; Machine Learning Research Group
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NYC tech companies, Finance industry
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NYC tech companies, Research universities
Notable Faculty: World-class faculty across all CS areas; Strong interdisciplinary connections
Admissions: GPA: Competitive admission
#10. Columbia University in the City of New York Computer Science Program
Hakia ranks Columbia University in the City of New York as the #10 in computer science degree program. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $64,526/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 91.0
What makes Columbia University in the City of New York stand out: Columbia CS offers research opportunities through the Data Science Institute and Center of AI Technology, with distinguished strengths in vision, graphics, security, networks, machine learning, architecture, and NLP.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Google NYC and Meta NYC, Columbia University in the City of New York bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Program Overview: Columbia's CS PhD emphasizes learning by doing - students begin as apprentices and become junior colleagues on scholarly research. Students spend at least half their time on research from day one under faculty direction. Candidacy exam certifies scholarship depth, completed by sixth semester. Strong research in NLP, security, graphics, computational biology, vision, robotics, and ML.
Degree Programs: BS; BA; BA in Computer Science and Mathematics; BA in Computational Biology; BA in Data Science; BA in Information Science
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 computing; Natural Language Processing Lab - NLP; Networking Lab - networking; Robotics Lab - robotics; User Interfaces Lab - user interfaces
Industry Partners: Google NYC, Meta NYC, Amazon NYC, Finance companies, NYC startups
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Meta, Amazon, Finance companies, Research universities
Notable Faculty: Research across all areas of computer science; Multidisciplinary connections across Columbia
Admissions: GPA: Very competitive
Full Computer Science Doctoral Rankings 2026
| Rank | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | 96% | 100 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | 92% | 97.1 |
| 3 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | 92% | 97 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | 97% | 94.4 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | 81% | 93.4 |
| 6 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private | — | 92.9 |
| 7 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | 96% | 92.3 |
| 8 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | — | 91.7 |
| 9 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private | 95% | 91.1 |
| 10 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | 100% | 91 |
| 11 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | 90% | 91 |
| 12 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Private | 96% | 89.8 |
| 13 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | 76% | 87.5 |
| 14 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | 96% | 87.2 |
| 15 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | 98% | 86.5 |
| 16 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | — | 85.2 |
| 17 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private | 100% | 85.1 |
| 18 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | 84% | 84.7 |
| 19 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | Public | 89% | 84.5 |
| 20 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | Private | — | 83.6 |
| 21 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Private | 93% | 83.6 |
| 22 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Public | 93% | 83.5 |
| 23 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | Public | 89% | 83.4 |
| 24 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | — | 83.4 |
| 25 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | Private | — | 83.4 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Research Areas & Specializations
PhD programs in computer science offer multiple specialization tracks. Your research area determines your advisor options, publication venues, and career trajectories.
Key Computer Science Research Areas
- Algorithms
- Systems
- AI/ML
- Theory
- Security
- Graphics
Emerging Research Topics (2024-2025)
- Algorithm Design
- Distributed Systems
- Machine Learning Theory
- Cryptography
- Computer Graphics
Choosing Your Specialization: Your research area should align with your interests, available advisors, and career goals. Review faculty research pages and recent publications. Attend seminars and read papers from top venues in computer science to understand current research directions.
Publication Venues: Check CSRankings.org to see which conferences and journals are most prestigious for your chosen specialization. Top-tier venues vary significantly by subfield.
Finding the Right Advisor
Your advisor is the single most important factor in PhD success. A good advisor shapes your research trajectory, opens networking opportunities, and directly impacts your career outcomes. According to data from NSF's Survey of Earned Doctorates, advisor-student fit is strongly correlated with time to degree and completion rates.
What to Look For in an Advisor:
- Research alignment: Their work should genuinely excite you—you'll spend 5+ years on related problems
- Advising style: Some are hands-on, others hands-off. Know what you need and ask current students
- Funding stability: Do they have ongoing grants? Have they consistently funded students?
- Student outcomes: Where did their graduates end up? Academia? Industry? How long did they take?
- Lab culture: Talk to current students privately about work-life balance and lab dynamics
Red Flags to Avoid:
- High student turnover or many students leaving without degrees
- Faculty who are rarely available or traveling constantly
- Labs where students seem stressed, isolated, or unhappy
- Advisors with a history of conflicts or complaints
Pro tip: Email 2-3 current students and ask: "What do you wish you knew before joining this lab?" Their candid responses will tell you more than any faculty website.
PhD Funding & Stipends
You should not pay for a PhD.
Top programs offer full funding packages covering tuition plus a competitive stipend. According to CSStipendRankings.org and PhDStipends.com, computer science stipends range from $18,000 at lower-paying programs to $50,000+ at top institutions.
2024-25 Stipend Examples:
- Brown University: $49,000/year ($4,084/month) - Graduate School
- Duke University: Full funding for 5 years including tuition, fees, insurance, and stipend - CS Department
- Emory University: $37,467/year for CS/Informatics PhDs - Graduate School
- Mid-tier programs: Typically $25,000-35,000/year with full tuition waiver
Funding Sources:
- Research Assistantships (RA): Work on faculty research; most common funding source
- Teaching Assistantships (TA): Lead discussion sections, grade assignments
- Fellowships: Competitive awards (NSF GRFP, NDSEG, university fellowships) with higher stipends and research freedom
- Grants: Faculty research grants often fund PhD students
Cost of Living Warning: Use PhDStipends.com to compare living wage ratios, which normalize stipends to local cost of living. A $35K stipend in a low-cost city may provide better quality of life than $50K in San Francisco.
PhD Milestones & Timeline
The NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates tracks time to degree across all fields. Computer science PhDs typically take 5-6 years to complete, though this varies by research area and institution.
Typical PhD Timeline:
- Years 1-2: Coursework, rotations (if applicable), identify research area, pass qualifying exams
- Years 2-3: Thesis proposal, begin independent research, first publications
- Years 3-5: Core research, conference publications, build professional network
- Years 5-6: Complete dissertation, defend, job market
Key Milestones:
- Qualifying Exam: Usually year 1-2; tests breadth of knowledge and/or research potential
- Thesis Proposal: Year 2-3; defines your dissertation scope and convinces committee it's viable
- Candidacy: After proposal passes; you're now "ABD" (All But Dissertation)
- Dissertation Defense: Final oral exam presenting your complete research
What affects time to degree: Research area complexity, advisor expectations, publication requirements, whether you switch topics, and how quickly you identify a viable research direction.
Application Process
PhD admissions are highly competitive. According to ProFellow, top programs accept 5-15% of applicants. The process differs significantly from undergraduate or master's admissions.
Typical Application Components:
- Statement of Purpose: Your research interests, why this program, and potential advisors (2-3 pages)
- Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters, ideally from research supervisors who know your work deeply
- CV/Resume: Emphasize research experience, publications, and technical projects
- GRE Scores: Many programs have made GRE optional since 2020; check requirements
- Transcripts: Strong grades help, but research experience often matters more
- Research samples: Some programs request writing samples or research proposals
Timeline:
- September-November: Research programs, contact potential advisors, prepare materials
- December 1-15: Most application deadlines
- January-March: Interview invitations (virtual or in-person visit days)
- March-April 15: Admission decisions; April 15 is the standard decision deadline
Critical tip: Reach out to potential advisors before applying. A brief, professional email expressing genuine interest in their research can significantly improve your chances—especially if they respond positively and mention your application to the admissions committee.
Industry Research vs Academic Faculty Careers
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Generally better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Choosing Your Career Path
Industry research is right for you if:
- Compensation is a priority
- You want to see research deployed at scale
- You prefer shorter feedback loops
- You're comfortable with more directed research agendas
- Geographic flexibility is important (industry hubs)
Academia is right for you if:
- Research freedom is paramount
- You want to mentor the next generation
- Job security matters more than peak compensation
- You enjoy teaching
- You want to pursue long-term, speculative research
Increasingly blurred lines: Many researchers move between academia and industry. Some professors consult extensively; some industry researchers teach courses. The choice isn't permanent.
Postdoc Pathways
A postdoc is a temporary research position after completing your PhD. According to Academic Positions, postdoc salaries average $61,000-$72,000 in 2024, with most positions lasting 2-3 years.
When is a Postdoc Necessary?
- Academic careers: Often expected, especially at research universities. Strengthens your publication record and expands your network.
- Industry careers: Rarely necessary—most industry research labs hire directly from PhD programs
- Switching fields: A postdoc can help you pivot to a new research area
- Building independence: Develops skills in grant writing, lab management, and independent research
Postdoc Considerations:
- Duration: 1-3 years typical; longer postdocs can signal difficulty finding permanent positions
- Salary gap: Postdocs earn significantly less than industry PhDs—factor this into your decision
- Location flexibility: Postdocs often require relocation; be prepared to move
- Exit strategy: Have a clear plan for what comes after the postdoc
Important: In computer science, a postdoc is increasingly optional. Strong PhD graduates with good publication records can go directly to tenure-track positions or industry research roles.
Publication Expectations
Publications are the currency of academic research. In computer science, conference papers (not journals) are the primary publication venue, unlike most other fields.
Typical Publication Expectations:
- Minimum for graduation: 2-4 peer-reviewed publications (varies by program and advisor)
- Competitive job market: 5+ publications with at least 1-2 at top-tier venues
- Top-tier venues: NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ACL, SIGCOMM, SOSP, PLDI (varies by subfield)
- First-author papers: Critical for demonstrating independent research ability
Publication Timeline:
- Year 1-2: Workshop papers, co-authored papers with senior students
- Year 3-4: First-author publications at good venues
- Year 5+: Aim for top venues, build a coherent research narrative for job market
Quality vs Quantity: One strong paper at a top venue (NeurIPS, ICML, etc.) often matters more than several papers at lower-tier venues. Focus on impactful work that others will cite and build upon.
Resources: Check CSRankings.org to understand which venues matter most in your subfield and how faculty are evaluated by publication record.
Top States for Computer Science Doctoral Programs
| State | Total Programs | Median Tuition | Top Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in California | 25 | $9,500 | University of California |
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in Texas | 20 | $8,500 | University of Texas |
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in New York | 18 | $12,000 | SUNY |
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in Florida | 15 | $6,500 | University of Florida |
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in Virginia | 12 | $11,000 | Virginia Tech |
| Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania | 14 | $14,000 | Penn State |
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Computer Science PhD Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
Related Computer Science Resources
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.