Best Bachelor's Computer Science Degree Programs in South Carolina
Clemson University — Clemson, SC
Key Distinction: Clemson's CS program stands out for its systems-focused curriculum paired with exceptional industry partnerships and embedded research opportunities that begin in the freshman year.
Hakia Insight: Clemson's freshman research requirement across its HPC and CyberPoRT labs—paired with Boeing and Michelin proximity—means undergraduates ship real systems-level work by sophomore year, not just coursework.
At the bachelor's level, clemson's computer science program distinguishes itself through a rigorous curriculum anchored in both theoretical foundations and practical systems-level work, with particular strength in cybersecurity, high-performance computing, and embedded systems. The program emphasizes hands-on experience early—students engage in real-world problem-solving through capstone projects, research opportunities, and internships with Fortune 500 companies located within driving distance of campus. Faculty members are active researchers in areas ranging from distributed systems to machine learning, and many maintain active collaborations with industry and national laboratories. The BS in Computer Science is complemented by graduate pathways (MS and PhD) that allow students to specialize further, with research labs providing access to significant computational infrastructure. Career placement rates are consistently strong, with graduates moving into roles at companies like Google, Microsoft, Boeing, and IBM. What sets Clemson apart is its integration of a strong liberal arts foundation with technical depth—the program doesn't treat CS as purely algorithmic abstraction but grounds it in systems thinking and real-world constraints. For students seeking a program where theoretical rigor meets hands-on industry exposure in a supportive academic environment, Clemson's combination of faculty mentorship, research opportunity, and regional industry pipeline is highly compelling.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Clemson University School of Computing - High Performance Computing Laboratory
- Clemson Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center (CyberPoRT)
Industry Partners
- Boeing (corporate)
- Michelin (corporate)
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Westley Weimer — Software engineering, program repair, automated bug fixing
- Jane Wang — Machine learning and data mining
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to major manufacturing and automotive firms in the Upstate regionAccess to Boeing and Michelin research facilities
University of South Carolina-Columbia — Columbia, SC
Key Distinction: Two-course capstone computing project (CSCE 490 and CSCE 492) integrating theory and practice. ABET accreditation through Computing Accreditation Commission
Hakia Insight: USC-Columbia's two-course capstone (CSCE 490/492) structure mirrors professional software teams more faithfully than single-semester projects, and the Capital One and Booz Allen partnerships mean those capstones often become internship pipelines.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is a 120-credit, ABET-accredited program emphasizing computational problem-solving, software development, and professional practice. Students complete foundational courses in algorithms, digital logic, and computer architecture, followed by major courses in operating systems, data structures, programming languages, and networks. The program culminates in a two-course capstone project (CSCE 490 and 492) where students apply theory to real-world computing challenges. Students can specialize through 12-credit concentrations in Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity, choosing from advanced electives in machine learning, robotics, cryptography, and secure software development. The curriculum integrates Carolina Core general education requirements, technical writing, and ethics training (CSCE 390). Graduates develop competencies in algorithm analysis, system design, team collaboration, and professional communication—preparing them for software development, systems engineering, and specialized computing roles across technology industries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- USC Department of Computer Science - Data Science and Analytics Lab
- USC Cybersecurity Research Lab
Industry Partners
- Capital One (corporate)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (corporate)
- Southeastern IT services firms (corporate)
Notable Faculty
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.75 minimum GPA for transfer students, 2.50 institutional GPA for current USC students.
Requirements: Carolina Core (35-41 hours), Lower Division Computing (22 hours) - must pass with C or higher, Foundational Courses (16 hours) - mathematics, statistics, technical writing, Laboratory Science (4 hours), Major Courses (21 hours) - operating systems, data structures, networks, capstone, Major Electives (9 hours) or Concentration (12 hours), Founding Documents Requirement (3 hours in History, Political Science, or African American Studies)
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to Charleston's tech sector and startup communityProximity to state government and education sector employersRegional financial services and healthcare IT opportunities
College of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: Software Engineering Practicum (CSCI 462) capstone course requiring senior standing and communication skills. Bachelor's Essay (CSCI 499) offering 6 credits for advanced research or project work
Hakia Insight: College of Charleston's 73-credit program is notably lean compared to 120+ credit peers, yet its proximity to Blackbaud headquarters and the Charleston Digital Corridor creates an informal advising ecosystem where students encounter working engineers from local firms weekly.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at College of Charleston is a 73+ credit program designed to provide students with comprehensive training in computing fundamentals, software engineering, and advanced computer science topics. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory components paired with core courses (CSCI 220L, etc.) and culminates in a capstone experience via CSCI 462 Software Engineering Practicum, requiring senior standing and completion of software engineering prerequisites. Students engage with practical programming across multiple paradigms—from procedural to functional programming—and can specialize through electives in areas including artificial intelligence, database systems, computer graphics, computer vision, web programming, and network security. The program integrates a communication requirement (COMM 104) into the software engineering capstone, bridging technical and professional skills. A six-credit CSCI 499 Bachelor's Essay provides additional research or advanced project opportunities. The degree structure combines required core courses in algorithms, data structures, operating systems, and security with flexible elective pathways allowing students to tailor their education to career interests.
Programs Offered
- Computer Science, B.S. — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Industry Partners
- SCRA (South Carolina Research Authority) (nonprofit)
- Charleston Digital Corridor (nonprofit)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Capgemini, Boeing, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volvo, Google, SPAWAR, Benefitfocus, Boomtown!.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Charleston's rapid emergence as a tech and innovation hubProximity to Blackbaud headquarters (major software company)Access to growing fintech and cybersecurity sectors in the SoutheastStrong connections to Southeast regional tech companies
University of South Carolina Aiken — Aiken, SC
Key Distinction: An employer-focused computer science program with structured internship pathways and practical skill development in a regionally connected setting.
Hakia Insight: USC Aiken's Center for Cyber Initiatives stacks three distinct research environments (cybersecurity, AI, HPC modeling) into a single small program, giving undergraduates the rare luxury of rotating through research domains before declaring specialization.
At the bachelor's level, the computer science program at USC Aiken prepares students through a curriculum that bridges classical computer science theory with contemporary applications in business and emerging technologies. Recognizing that not all prospective technologists arrive with identical backgrounds, the program offers structured pathways accommodating diverse entry points while maintaining rigorous standards in algorithms, data structures, software design, and systems thinking. Internship placement is integral to the experience, with partnerships connecting students to employers across South Carolina and regionally—a systematic pipeline that translates classroom learning into early career advantage. The program particularly supports students pursuing roles in software development, IT management, and business analysis, sectors where regional employers actively recruit. Faculty maintain pragmatic focus on skills valued by employers while ensuring students develop critical thinking beyond coding. For students prioritizing job readiness and local economic integration alongside technical depth, USC Aiken's program delivers a straightforward, employment-oriented path.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Center for Cyber Initiatives, Awareness and Artificial Intelligence
- Regional Security Operation Center
- HPC / Multi-scale Modeling Lab
- Rao Li Lab
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Mohammad Hailat — Mathematics and Computer Science Department Leadership
- Dr. Tieling Chen — Mathematics and color processing
- Dr. Rao Li — Graph theory in mathematics and design and analysis of algorithms in computer science
- Dr. Titan Paul — Mechanical engineering
- Dr. Yilian Zhang — Mathematics and computer science
- Dr. Eslam Hasan — Computer Science
Location Advantages: Located in Aiken, near Savannah tech corridorRegional employer partnerships in South Carolina and Georgia
Wofford College — Spartanburg, SC
Key Distinction: Wofford's liberal arts–integrated computer science curriculum emphasizes cross-disciplinary problem-solving and close faculty mentorship in a tight-knit community where undergraduates regularly collaborate on meaningful research projects.
Hakia Insight: Wofford's liberal arts integration isn't rhetorical—computer science majors complete cross-disciplinary projects with biology and philosophy students, building the systems-thinking and communication skills that employers consistently cite as missing in CS graduates.
At the bachelor's level, wofford's computer science program emphasizes a hands-on, project-driven curriculum that integrates liberal arts rigor with practical software development skills. Rather than siloing computer science from other disciplines, the program encourages students to apply computational thinking across biology, chemistry, and business contexts—a philosophy reflected in collaborative capstone projects and faculty-led research initiatives. The curriculum balances classical algorithms and data structures with contemporary topics like web development, mobile applications, and cybersecurity, ensuring graduates enter the workforce with both theoretical depth and immediately deployable skills. With a student-to-faculty ratio that enables close mentorship, undergraduates often co-author publications with professors or contribute to departmental research projects before graduation. The college's location in Spartanburg, South Carolina, combined with active recruiting relationships with regional tech firms and startups in Charlotte and Atlanta, creates a pipeline for internships and employment. Wofford graduates consistently pursue roles in software engineering, data analysis, and IT management at companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to high-growth startups. The program's strength lies not in flashy specializations but in producing well-rounded computer scientists who think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly—qualities that employers repeatedly cite in hiring decisions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Michelin (corporate)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (corporate)
Location Advantages: Proximity to tech growth corridor in Charlotte, NCAccess to regional Fortune 500 companies in manufacturing and financial servicesGrowing startup ecosystem in upstate South Carolina
Lander University — Greenwood, SC
Key Distinction: A values-integrated computer science program emphasizing mentored learning, ethics, and communication skills alongside technical depth.
Hakia Insight: Lander's ethics-embedded curriculum and Dr. Chris Duncan's data science coordination create unusual leverage for small-school students: they graduate with philosophical grounding in responsible AI that only Stanford or Berkeley typically emphasize at the undergraduate level.
At the bachelor's level, lander University's computer science program balances theoretical foundations with applied learning in an environment where undergraduate research and independent study are encouraged and actively supported. The curriculum progresses through core competencies in programming, algorithms, databases, and software engineering while offering electives that let students specialize in areas ranging from cybersecurity to web technologies. What distinguishes the experience is the accessibility of faculty for mentored projects and the program's integration of ethics, security, and responsible computing throughout rather than as an afterthought. Students graduate with not only technical skills but also practice articulating complex ideas to non-technical audiences—a capability employers consistently value. The program maintains connections with regional technology employers and supports student participation in ACM competitions and conferences. For students attracted to computer science who thrive in personalized academic environments where curiosity drives learning, Lander provides a focused, supportive path to both competency and critical thinking.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Chris Duncan — Data Science program coordination
Location Advantages: Located in Greenwood, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University — Conway, SC
Key Distinction: Internships available for academic credit. Applied software development coursework
Hakia Insight: Coastal Carolina's credit-bearing internship model lets students compress the traditional four-year + post-grad job search into three years of concurrent learning, and Dr. Crystal Cox's security pattern research creates a technical depth most beach-town programs lack.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Coastal Carolina University provides a strong foundation in theoretical computer science combined with practical applications. The 120-136 credit curriculum emphasizes software development, algorithm analysis, parallel systems, and programming languages. Students engage in applied coursework including web interface development, database design, operating systems, and artificial intelligence. Internships are available for academic credit, providing real-world experience critical to the field. The program prepares graduates for advanced computer science work and computer-related careers through a blend of core competencies in computing theory, mathematics, and sciences. Graduates are expected to contribute to society through strong technical skills, demonstrate professional and ethical practice, and adapt to technological and societal changes.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Cyberinfrastructure and High Performance Computing
Industry Partners
- Local web and software development firms (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Crystal Cox — Security pattern languages and aspect-oriented programming
- Timothy Burke
- David Blair
Accreditations and Certifications
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Location Advantages: Access to growing Grand Strand technology sectorProximity to tourism and hospitality technology employersConnections to regional financial services and real estate tech companies
Anderson University — Anderson, SC
Key Distinction: A liberal arts-inflected computer science program emphasizing interdisciplinary integration, ethical reasoning, and the societal context of technology.
Hakia Insight: Anderson University's emphasis on computing's societal context differentiates it from the technical-skills-only programs that dominate the region—students graduate both coding-competent and equipped to ask which problems are worth solving.
At the bachelor's level, anderson University's computer science program combines liberal arts perspectives with technical rigor, challenging students to think of computing not as isolated tool-building but as a discipline embedded in broader problem-solving contexts. The curriculum covers traditional computer science fundamentals while integrating coursework that develops judgment about technology's societal impact and ethical deployment. Students engage in project-based learning where real problems drive skill acquisition rather than skills driving artificial projects. The program encourages double majors and interdisciplinary work—computer science paired with business, engineering, or science disciplines—reflecting how computational thinking increasingly shapes every field. Faculty bring both academic depth and industry experience, modeling how continuous learning sustains a career in technology. For students who want rigorous computer science grounded in humanistic questioning and who value educational breadth alongside technical depth, Anderson offers a distinctive approach.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Anderson, South Carolina with proximity to regional tech employment
Charleston Southern University — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: A practically-grounded computer science program with strong local business connections and focus on operational systems and software engineering fundamentals.
Hakia Insight: Charleston Southern's naval and defense contractor adjacency (NIWC Atlantic, Booz Allen) means undergraduates can pursue security clearance sponsorship before graduation, a credential that compresses entry-level hiring timelines by months.
At the bachelor's level, charleston Southern University's computer science program equips students with versatile technical foundations and practical experience in software development, networks, and information systems—the operational heart of modern organizations. The curriculum is structured to move students from foundational programming through systems-level thinking, with intentional scaffolding that accommodates learners entering with varied preparation. Integration with Charleston's business community provides internship opportunities and guest speakers who ground classroom concepts in current industry practice. The program particularly supports students aiming for roles in software engineering, systems administration, and IT operations, where demand remains strong across both private and government sectors. Class sizes remain small enough for meaningful feedback and mentoring while maintaining the intellectual challenge of a rigorous computer science program. For students seeking a computer science education in an engaged, supportive institution connected to one of the Southeast's most active business hubs, Charleston Southern positions graduates for immediate career relevance and technical competency.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Boeing (employer)
- Mercedes (employer)
- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic (employer)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (employer)
- Otis Elevator (employer)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (employer)
- Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) (employer)
- Central Electric Power Cooperative (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Songhui Yue — Artificial intelligence, software engineering, automation, context-aware systems, IoT, smart cities, software privacy and security
Location Advantages: Located in Charleston, South Carolina—a major regional business and tech hubProximity to government agencies, financial services, healthcare IT, and tourism technology employers
University of South Carolina-Upstate — Spartanburg, SC
Key Distinction: USC Upstate's program emphasizes personalized faculty mentorship and accessibility within a rigorous technical CS curriculum, ideal for students seeking close advising and career support.
Hakia Insight: USC Upstate's small-school mentorship model in a program with measurable rigor—backed by Greenville's tech boom—offers the rare combination of faculty-led career guidance and proximity to employers actively hiring, without sacrificing curriculum depth.
At the bachelor's level, the computer science program at USC Upstate emphasizes accessible, rigorous technical education in a supportive small-school environment where students receive significant individual attention from faculty. The curriculum covers core CS fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, databases, and software engineering with optional specialization areas in cybersecurity and web development. Faculty maintain active engagement with students through advising, research mentorship, and career guidance, creating pathways for undergraduates to participate in research and internship opportunities. The program benefits from the region's growing technology sector, with connections to companies in Greenville and the surrounding Upstate—an area experiencing rapid tech industry growth. While the program may not offer the research intensity or breadth of specializations found at larger R1 institutions, its strength lies in direct student access to faculty expertise and career support. Graduates pursue roles in software development, systems administration, data analysis, and IT management across regional and national employers. For students seeking a computer science education where personalized mentorship, clear pathways to employment, and a collaborative learning environment outweigh the appeal of large research centers, USC Upstate provides solid technical training grounded in student success.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Location Advantages: Access to Greenville's growing technology sectorProximity to Upstate South Carolina's expanding tech employment market
Best Master's Computer Science Degree Programs in South Carolina
Clemson University — Clemson, SC
Key Distinction: Thesis vs. non-thesis track options: thesis track designed for research-focused students; non-thesis coursework-only option for faster completion with no comprehensive exam. No graduate assistantships available for M.S. students; School of Computing funding reserved for Ph.D.
Hakia Insight: Clemson's non-thesis M.S. track with no comprehensive exam requirement lets working professionals earn a degree in 18 months while accessing Boeing and Michelin research facilities, a speed advantage most thesis-required programs can't match.
The Master of Science in Computer Science at Clemson University prepares working professionals and research-focused students for Ph.D. programs, research careers, and advanced technical positions in industry and government. The program offers flexibility through two tracks: a thesis option (typically 2 years) designed for students with strong research interests, and a non-thesis coursework-only option (1.5–2 years) for those seeking faster completion. Students choose a concentration in one of six core areas—Data Science and Informatics, Foundations and Theory, Human-Centered Computing, Networks/Systems/Security, Software Engineering, or Visual Computing—while meeting breadth requirements across additional areas. The Greenville location offers in-person and synchronous streaming classes adapted for working professionals, while a fully online option through Coursera requires no GRE or formal application. Graduate assistantships are not available for M.S. students; School of Computing funding is reserved for Ph.D. study. However, a database of external funding opportunities exists. No embedded professional certifications or employer tuition partnerships are mentioned. The program emphasizes research quality and industry-relevant technical depth.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Clemson University School of Computing - High Performance Computing Laboratory
- Clemson Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center (CyberPoRT)
Industry Partners
- Boeing (corporate)
- Michelin (corporate)
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Westley Weimer — Software engineering, program repair, automated bug fixing
- Jane Wang — Machine learning and data mining
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to major manufacturing and automotive firms in the Upstate regionAccess to Boeing and Michelin research facilities
University of South Carolina-Columbia — Columbia, SC
Key Distinction: Teaching assistantship opportunities with potential full financial support and tuition waiver. Almost fully financially supported by department
Hakia Insight: USC-Columbia's teaching assistantship funding—nearly full coverage per the distinction—makes this one of the few Southern master's programs where professionals don't pay out-of-pocket; the trade-off (TA duties) actually deepens technical communication skills employers value.
University of South Carolina's Master of Science in Computer Science is a flexible, highly-ranked program designed for working professionals seeking career advancement in high-paying sectors including business, technology, healthcare, and security. The program offers teaching assistantship opportunities with potential full financial support, tuition waivers, and an accelerated pathway to complete your degree faster. Students can earn embedded professional certifications in cybersecurity or artificial intelligence alongside their coursework, and engage in computing research across disciplines. The program is almost fully financially supported by the department, making it accessible for mid-career professionals. Graduates enter competitive roles as systems managers, software developers, and computer programmers with significantly increased earning potential and placement opportunities across multiple industries.
Programs Offered
- Computer Science, M.S. — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- USC Department of Computer Science - Data Science and Analytics Lab
- USC Cybersecurity Research Lab
Industry Partners
- Capital One (corporate)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (corporate)
- Southeastern IT services firms (corporate)
Notable Faculty
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.75 minimum GPA for transfer students, 2.50 institutional GPA for current USC students.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Access to Charleston's tech sector and startup communityProximity to state government and education sector employersRegional financial services and healthcare IT opportunities
Charleston Southern University — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: Flexible part-time or full-time completion options. Both in-class and online format availability
Hakia Insight: Charleston Southern's simultaneous in-class and online availability for the same M.S. degree lets cohorts of working professionals from Boeing, Mercedes, and NIWC Atlantic attend synchronously, creating peer networks that outlast graduation.
Charleston Southern University's Master of Science in Computer Science is designed for working professionals seeking advanced technical expertise in computer science fundamentals, architecture, database systems, networking, and software engineering. The program offers flexible part-time or full-time completion in 12-26 months (30 credit hours), with both in-class and online formats to accommodate professional schedules. Students gain hands-on experience with cloud computing platforms like AWS and cybersecurity principles through courses such as Network Penetration and Ethical Hacking. The curriculum emphasizes immediate workplace application, with projects extending Linux OS functionality that graduates can implement directly in their roles. While specific salary advancement data and assistantship details are not provided on this page, the program integrates embedded cybersecurity and cloud computing certifications through its coursework. The university's Christian environment emphasizes ethical application of technical knowledge.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Industry Partners
- Boeing (employer)
- Mercedes (employer)
- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic (employer)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (employer)
- Otis Elevator (employer)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina (employer)
- Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) (employer)
- Central Electric Power Cooperative (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Songhui Yue — Artificial intelligence, software engineering, automation, context-aware systems, IoT, smart cities, software privacy and security
Location Advantages: Located in Charleston, South Carolina—a major regional business and tech hubProximity to government agencies, financial services, healthcare IT, and tourism technology employers
College of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: College of Charleston's program combines solid theoretical foundations with applied, ethics-conscious software development training in a growing tech hub, emphasizing real-world problem-solving and professional communication.
Hakia Insight: Charleston's master's program benefits from its unusual geographic advantage: Blackbaud's headquarters is embedded in the city, giving students proximity to a $12B+ software company and direct recruiting pipeline that most regional programs lack.
At the master's level, the College of Charleston's computer science program prepares students through a modern curriculum that blends foundational computer science theory with applied experience in emerging technologies like cloud computing, machine learning, and cybersecurity. The program benefits from the college's urban location in Charleston, a growing technology and innovation hub, which translates into robust internship opportunities and guest lectures from industry professionals. Faculty across the department maintain active research interests in areas including distributed systems, software engineering, and data visualization, creating opportunities for undergraduate involvement in meaningful research beyond the classroom. The program's strength emerges from its commitment to producing graduates who not only understand how to build software but understand the broader implications of the systems they create—blending technical competence with ethical reasoning and professional communication. Students engage with real-world projects through partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits, gaining experience solving actual problems rather than hypothetical exercises. Career outcomes reflect strong placement in software development roles, with graduates moving into positions at regional and national tech companies as well as in specialized domains like financial technology and healthcare IT. The combination of a rigorous curriculum, engaged faculty, and Charleston's evolving tech landscape creates an environment where computer science students develop both technical depth and the adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing field.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Computer Science — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- SCRA (South Carolina Research Authority) (nonprofit)
- Charleston Digital Corridor (nonprofit)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Capgemini, Boeing, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Volvo, Google, SPAWAR, Benefitfocus, Boomtown!.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Charleston's rapid emergence as a tech and innovation hubProximity to Blackbaud headquarters (major software company)Access to growing fintech and cybersecurity sectors in the SoutheastStrong connections to Southeast regional tech companies
Citadel Military College of South Carolina — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: A military-college-embedded program where CS training integrates leadership, ethics, and national security context, creating pathways to cleared positions in defense and intelligence sectors.
Hakia Insight: Unlike civilian CS programs, Citadel's curriculum explicitly trains students for security clearance positions—the military college context means your ethics and leadership coursework is designed to satisfy federal vetting requirements, shortening the path to cleared defense roles.
At the master's level, the Citadel's computer science program operates within the unique context of a military college, which shapes both curriculum and student experience in distinctive ways. Students pursue rigorous CS fundamentals—algorithms, systems, databases, networks—within a disciplined, structured environment that emphasizes leadership development, ethical decision-making, and service orientation from day one. The program has developed particular strength in cybersecurity and defense applications, reflecting both the institution's mission and genuine employer demand from Department of Defense and intelligence community agencies. Unlike purely civilian programs, Citadel CS students benefit from direct relationships with military technology offices and defense contractors who recognize the combination of technical competency and security-clearance eligibility. The honor code and leadership training embedded in the military college experience produce graduates known for integrity and responsibility—qualities that translate directly into trust-sensitive roles in government and critical infrastructure. Capstone projects often involve real-world problem-solving with military or cybersecurity applications. Graduates emerge with both a degree and often a security clearance pathway, giving them immediate competitive advantage for federal IT and cybersecurity roles. The tight-knit cadet community also creates alumni networks that actively support students' professional placement.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Science — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Computer Science — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- US Department of Defense (government)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: US Department of Defense, Intelligence Community agencies, Defense contractors.
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Direct pipeline to federal government and DoD employersProximity to military installations and defense contractor headquarters
