Best Online Computer Science Degree Programs 2026

Best Computer Science Programs - Top 10 Online — Complete Program Data

1. #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: UC Berkeley's Computer Science program uniquely combines Silicon Valley proximity with top-tier research excellence, producing more tech unicorn founders and influential computer science research than virtually any other program globally.

   Hakia Insight: With a 11% acceptance rate, University of California-Berkeley's computer science program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC Berkeley's Computer Science program, housed within the College of Engineering and College of Letters & Science, is consistently ranked among the top 3 computer science programs globally. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, with a strong culture of innovation that has produced numerous tech industry leaders and groundbreaking research. Berkeley's approach combines rigorous academic training with extensive opportunities for undergraduate research, industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship through programs like the Skydeck accelerator. The curriculum balances core computer science fundamentals with flexibility for specialization in areas like artificial intelligence, systems, theory, and human-computer interaction. Students benefit from small class sizes in upper-division courses despite the program's prestige, with access to world-renowned faculty who are actively shaping the future of computing through their research and industry connections.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (L&S CS) (4 years); Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) (4 years); Bachelor of Arts in Data Science (4 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: Placement Rate: 95%+ within 6 months | Top Employers: Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Startups | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, Research Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Stuart Russell (Artificial Intelligence); Dawn Song (Computer Security); Michael Jordan (Machine Learning); Pieter Abbeel (Robotics and AI)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0+ minimum for transfer students | Acceptance Rate: 11-17%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

2. #2. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #2 in computer science degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 89.8

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: One of the top computer science programs in the nation, the Allen School offers two distinct bachelor's pathways (CS and Computer Engineering) with ABET accreditation for CE. The school emphasizes undergraduate research as central to the student experience and benefits from Seattle's position as a major tech hub.

   Hakia Insight: With a 24% acceptance rate, University of Washington-Seattle Campus's computer science program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington serves over 2,300 undergraduates with a rigorous and engaging curriculum that prepares students for careers while enabling them to make an impact wherever their degree takes them. The program benefits from partnerships across campus and with the Pacific Northwest's vibrant technology sector, including major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta. Students have access to world-class research opportunities, with an annual Research Symposium showcasing undergraduate research participants.

   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: Social RL Lab - Training AI models to interact safely with users; OMAI Initiative - Open AI infrastructure for scientific discovery ($152M project); Artificial Intelligence Research - Developing AI while studying its impact on industries and communities; Computing + Biology - Computational methods for biology/medicine and bio-inspired computing; Human-Centered Computing - Enhancing technology engagement to maximize benefits; Interaction with Physical World - Low-power sensing and communication technologies

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, Hearvana

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

   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: Competitive (no minimum specified) | Acceptance Rate: 24% (WA residents), 37% (non-residents)

   Accreditations: ABET (Computer Engineering degree)

3. #3. University of Maryland-College Park Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Maryland-College Park as the #3 in computer science degree program. Location: College Park, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,889/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Score: 89.0

   What makes University of Maryland-College Park stand out: UMD's CS program offers five distinct specializations including Cybersecurity, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Quantum Information, allowing students to tailor their computing studies to emerging fields. The department's close collaboration with Microsoft provides unique experiential learning opportunities, and the Maryland Max Planck Ph.D. program offers international research partnerships.

   Hakia Insight: University of Maryland-College Park's direct partnerships with Google and Microsoft give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: The University of Maryland Computer Science program is one of the nation's premier programs, housed in the state-of-the-art Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering. The department emphasizes experiential learning opportunities and maintains strong research support through UMIACS (Institute for Advanced Computer Studies). The program uses a cumulative knowledge approach with exemption exams for students with prior CS coursework to ensure appropriate course placement.

   Degree Programs: General Track; Cybersecurity Specialization; Data Science Specialization; Machine Learning Specialization; Quantum Information Specialization

   Research Labs: Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) - Human-computer interaction and social computing; Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (IFACS) - Advanced computing research; Maryland Cybersecurity Center - Cybersecurity research and education; Autonomous Agents Lab - Intelligent agents and autonomous systems

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, NSA

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Microsoft, Federal agencies, Technology startups | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Ben Bederson (Human-computer interaction); Aravind Srinivasan (Algorithms and computational complexity); Christos Papadimitriou (Theory of computation); Soheil Feizi (Machine learning and adversarial robustness)

   Admissions: GPA: 2.0 minimum overall GPA

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

4. #4. University of California-Irvine Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #4 in computer science degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 86.0

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UCI's Computer Science program stands out as one of the few in California that combines a top-tier research environment with direct access to both Silicon Valley tech giants and Orange County's aerospace and biotech industries.

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

   Program Overview: UC Irvine's Computer Science program is housed within the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, one of the nation's premier computing schools. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, medicine, business, and the arts. UCI's approach combines rigorous academic training with extensive research opportunities, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction. The program benefits from its location in Orange County's tech corridor and maintains strong ties to both Silicon Valley and LA's growing tech scene. Students gain hands-on experience through project-based learning, undergraduate research programs, and extensive industry partnerships that provide internship and career opportunities.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (4 years); BS in Computer Science & Engineering (4 years); BS in Data Science (4 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems - Machine learning algorithms and applications; Security and Privacy Research Group - Cybersecurity, privacy, and cryptography; Graphics Lab - Computer graphics, visualization, and virtual reality; Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics - Computational biology and bioinformatics

   Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Boeing, Blizzard Entertainment, Broadcom

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% within 6 months | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Raytheon | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Research Scientist, Product Manager, Systems Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Prof. Pierre Baldi (Machine learning and bioinformatics); Prof. Gene Tsudik (Computer security and cryptography); Prof. Sharad Mehrotra (Database systems and privacy)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.4 minimum recommended for competitive admission | Acceptance Rate: 26%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)

5. #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: 86.0

   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: University of California-San Diego's San Diego Supercomputer Center and Calit2 Qualcomm Institute position students at the forefront of computer science research.

   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: MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Thesis Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Standard Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering) (Minimum 3 quarters)

   Research Labs: San Diego Supercomputer Center - High-performance computing; Calit2 Qualcomm Institute - Telecommunications and information technology

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for good academic standing

   Accreditations: University of California accreditation

6. #6. University of California-Santa Cruz Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Cruz as the #6 in computer science degree program. Location: Santa Cruz, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 86.0

   What makes University of California-Santa Cruz stand out: UC Santa Cruz's Computer Science program uniquely combines cutting-edge research in AI and machine learning with a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that leverages its proximity to Silicon Valley tech companies.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn $120,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on computer science curriculum.

   Program Overview: UC Santa Cruz's Computer Science program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its location in the heart of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem. The program combines rigorous theoretical foundations with hands-on experience, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages students to explore emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-computer interaction. The Baskin School of Engineering, which houses the CS program, is known for its innovative approach to education and research, with faculty who are leaders in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, and computational biology. The program emphasizes both technical excellence and creative problem-solving, preparing students to become leaders in technology innovation. Students benefit from small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and extensive opportunities for undergraduate research participation.

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years); MS (1-2 years); PhD (5 years); Natural Language Processing MS

   Research Labs: Computer Hardware Research - architecture, VLSI, FPGAs, design automation; AI/ML Research Group - machine learning and artificial intelligence; Natural Language Processing - natural language processing; Bioinformatics Research Group - computational biology, biomolecular engineering, human genome mapping; Visual Computing - computer vision, visualization, graphics; Systems Research - distributed systems, database systems, storage systems

   Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Netflix, IBM, NASA Ames

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 90% within 6 months | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Amazon, Netflix, Salesforce | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Research Engineer, Product Manager, Game Developer

   Notable Faculty: Manfred Warmuth (Machine learning theory); David Haussler (Computational biology and machine learning); Luca de Alfaro (Software engineering and verification)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for transfers, competitive admission | Acceptance Rate: 47%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

7. #7. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of Michigan-Ann Arbor as the #7 in computer science degree program. Location: Ann Arbor, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $17,977/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 83.9

   What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stand out: UMich CSE has produced 5 Turing Award winners, offers a 5-year BS/MS SUGS program, and ranks #5 globally at csrankings.org with 100+ award-winning faculty members.

   Hakia Insight: With a 18% acceptance rate, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's computer science program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: University of Michigan's CS-Eng program, ranked #5 at csrankings.org and #10 by US News, prepares students for extraordinary opportunities through world-class faculty and a customizable curriculum. Five U-M alumni have received the Turing Award, computing's highest honor. The program offers 100+ award-winning faculty backed by professional course support staff, making even a large program feel personal. The curriculum builds strong foundations in mathematics, algorithms, and systems through core courses including EECS 280 (Programming & Data Structures), EECS 281 (Data Structures & Algorithms), EECS 370 (Computer Architecture), and EECS 376 (Theory of Computation). Students can pursue the SUGS (Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Study) program to complete both BS and MS degrees in five years, saving time and cost while deepening expertise.

   Degree Programs: BS in Computer Science (Engineering) (4 years); BA in Computer Science (LSA) (4 years); SUGS BS/MS Program (5 years)

   Research Labs: Computer Science and Engineering Division - AI, systems, theory, HCI, robotics; Michigan Robotics - Autonomous systems and robotics; Software Systems Laboratory - Software engineering and systems research

   Industry Partners: Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Satinder Singh (Reinforcement learning and machine learning); David Pacorrectly

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 18%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

8. #8. University of California-Los Angeles Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #8 in computer science degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 83.5

   What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA's Computer Science program uniquely combines world-class research opportunities with direct access to both Silicon Valley tech giants and Hollywood's entertainment technology sector.

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

   Program Overview: UCLA's Computer Science program, housed within the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum combined with cutting-edge research opportunities. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, with students gaining exposure to areas ranging from artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity and computer graphics. UCLA CS is particularly distinguished by its strong research culture, where undergraduates frequently participate in faculty-led research projects and publish papers alongside graduate students and professors. The program maintains close ties with Silicon Valley and the growing Los Angeles tech scene, providing students with exceptional internship and career opportunities. UCLA's approach balances computer science theory with hands-on experience through project-based learning, hackathons, and industry collaborations.

   Degree Programs: BS; MS; PhD

   Research Labs: UCLA Vision Lab - Computer vision and machine learning; UCLA Center for Domain-Specific Computing - Specialized computing architectures; UCLA Network Research Lab - Internet architecture and networking protocols; UCLA NESL - Networked and embedded sensing systems

   Industry Partners: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Disney

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95% within 6 months | Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook/Meta, Disney, SpaceX | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Research Scientist, Product Manager, Systems Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Judea Pearl (Artificial intelligence and causal reasoning); Leonard Kleinrock (Computer networking); Miodrag Potkonjak (Computer-aided design and security)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.4+ competitive | Acceptance Rate: 12%

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

9. #9. University of California-Davis Computer Science Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Davis as the #9 in computer science degree program. Location: Davis, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 83.0

   What makes University of California-Davis stand out: UC Davis online MS CS leverages the university's research strengths in agricultural technology, bioinformatics, and data science. Asynchronous format designed for working professionals with same faculty and rigor as on-campus program.

   Hakia Insight: Students at University of California-Davis benefit from active collaborations with Intel and Apple, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

   Program Overview: UC Davis offers a highly-regarded online Master of Science in Computer Science through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. The program provides flexible, asynchronous coursework allowing working professionals to advance their careers. Strong focus on practical applications in data science, AI, and software engineering with access to UC Davis research excellence.

   Degree Programs: MS Computer Science (Online) (2-3 years)

   Research Labs: Accelerated, Secure, and Energy-Efficient Computing Laboratory (ASEEC) - Computer systems security and efficiency; Graphics Hardware for General-Purpose Computation (GPGPU) - GPU computing applications; LEPS: Laboratory for Embedded and Programmable Systems - Embedded systems and programmable hardware; Next Generation Networking Systems Laboratory - Advanced networking systems; Quantum Nanophotonics Lab - Quantum devices and photonics

   Industry Partners: Intel, Apple

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: Competitive

10. #10. Cornell University Computer Science Program

    Hakia ranks Cornell University as the #10 in computer science degree program. Location: Ithaca, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $65,204/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 82.8

    What makes Cornell University stand out: Cornell CS offers unique flexibility through two degree options: B.S. through the College of Engineering and B.A. through the College of Arts & Sciences. The interdisciplinary approach allows students to design unique programs connecting computing to broader scientific interests. Faculty have earned Turing Awards, Von Neumann Medals, MacArthur Fellowships, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences honors.

    Hakia Insight: Students at Cornell University benefit from active collaborations with Facebook/Meta and McKinsey, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.

    Program Overview: Cornell's Computer Science program is a top-5 program nationwide, affiliated with the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. Established in 1965 as one of the first CS programs of its kind, it has grown to include over 1,500 undergraduate students and world-class faculty. The program is described as 'a global force in computing' that 'drives innovation from the foundations of theory, systems, and programming languages to the frontiers of AI, computer vision, and computational sustainability.'

    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: XR Collaboratory (XRC) - Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality research; IC3 (Initiative for CryptoCurrencies and Contracts) - Blockchain science, cryptography, distributed systems; People-Aware Computing Lab - Mobile sensing systems for context, activities, and social networks

    Industry Partners: Facebook/Meta, McKinsey, IBM

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Meta, McKinsey, IBM, World Bank, Startups | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Research Scientist, Product Manager

    Notable Faculty: Kavita Bala (Computer vision and graphics); Lorenzo Alvisi (Distributed computing); Ken Birman (Reliable distributed systems); Rachit Agarwal (Systems and networking)

    Admissions: GPA: C- minimum in required math courses