- 1.Software Developers earn a median salary of $136,620 with 25% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked graduate Computer Science programs include University of California-Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes for doctoral candidates
- 3.Best value: University of California-Berkeley offers graduate education at $11,834/year with 96% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited graduate Computer Science doctoral programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Computer Science Programs - Top 10 Graduate (Doctoral)
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley EECS created BAIR, one of the world's most influential AI research labs, and maintains unique Silicon Valley connections where the most exceptional teachers are often also the most exceptional researchers, unlike many peer institutions.
Program Overview
UC Berkeley's Computer Science program stands as one of the world's most prestigious and influential CS programs, housed within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS). The program offers multiple pathways including a PhD in Computer Science, MS in Computer Science, and the innovative one-year Master of Engineering (MEng) designed for industry professionals. Berkeley's CS program is uniquely positioned in the Bay Area, where regular faculty - many of whom are leading researchers - teach the majority of courses, ensuring students learn from the most exceptional minds in the field. The program spans cutting-edge research areas from artificial intelligence and robotics at the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) to quantum computing at the Berkeley Quantum Information and Computation Center (BQIC). With over 200 graduate programs university-wide and consistently ranking among the top doctoral programs nationwide, Berkeley offers an unparalleled academic environment where students work alongside faculty on projects that cross disciplinary boundaries to improve everyday life.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Brings together researchers across computer vision, machine learning, NLP, planning, and robotics with over two dozen faculty and hundreds of graduate students
Quantum information processing investigating computational tasks like integer factorization and secure quantum communication
Research center focused on communications, information and coding theory, optimization, statistics and control
Research at intersection of computer security, online privacy, and human-computer interaction
Brings together domain experts from life, social, and physical sciences with methodological experts from computer science and statistics
Industry Partners
Admissions
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU Computer Science Department is home to the birthplace of the emoticon smiley :-) created by faculty member Scott Fahlman, and consistently produces graduates with median starting salaries of $135,000 who secure positions at elite firms like Jane Street (13 hires in 2023), with the program's flexible, advisor-guided curriculum allowing students to craft personalized study paths rather than following fixed course sequences.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science Department offers a flagship Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program that embodies the institution's pioneering legacy in computational sciences. Established in 1965 with a $5 million grant from the Richard K. Mellon Foundation and led by Alan Perlis as its first department head, CMU CS has consistently ranked among the top computer science programs globally. The MSCS program is uniquely flexible, requiring no fixed curriculum but instead allowing students to construct their own course of study in consultation with advisors. Most students complete the program in three semesters (though those transitioning from other fields may need an additional semester), taking 8-9 courses across Systems, Theoretical Foundations, and Artificial Intelligence requirements. The program is coursework-focused with optional research opportunities, and about one-third of students engage in research during their studies. The department spans six major research areas including Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, Programming Languages, Security, Systems, and Theory, with faculty maintaining individual research summaries available through their comprehensive Faculty Research Guide.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Six major research divisions: Artificial Intelligence, Graphics, Programming Languages, Security, Systems, and Theory
Industry Partners
Admissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT EECS is home to CSAIL, the largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT, and uniquely structures computer science within three overlapping domains including a dedicated AI and decision-making unit, reflecting MIT's pioneering role in artificial intelligence research.
Program Overview
MIT's Computer Science program operates through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the largest academic department at MIT and consistently ranked #1 in U.S. News & World Report. The program offers PhD and ScD degrees in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, plus specialized Master of Engineering (MEng) degrees available exclusively to MIT undergraduates. What sets MIT apart is its unique structure combining three overlapping sub-units: electrical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence and decision-making. The program doesn't offer terminal master's degrees to external applicants - students must pursue doctoral studies, receiving an SM degree en route to their PhD.
The program is anchored by the Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT, alongside the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. Research spans from theoretical computer science and programming languages to cutting-edge AI applications in healthcare, robotics, and natural language processing. PhD students receive full financial support including tuition, monthly stipend, and medical insurance through fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT focusing on fundamental computing technologies and AI research
Interdepartmental research in analytical information and decision sciences
Community of MIT and IBM researchers conducting AI research with focus on business and societal applications
AI technologies for healthcare applications, building on MIT's history in AI and life sciences
Industry Partners
University of Southern California
USC launched the School of Advanced Computing in 2024 as the university's 23rd school, making it the hub for advanced computing research across USC and positioning computer science at the center of an unprecedented interdisciplinary computing initiative.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois created one of the first and most extensive CS + X blended degree programs in the nation, allowing students to combine computer science with fields ranging from crop sciences to music, while maintaining guaranteed admission pathways for Illinois graduates into their nationally-ranked MCS programs.
Stanford University
53 computer science graduates annually
Princeton University
30 computer science graduates annually
Cornell University
Cornell uniquely offers both a fully-funded research MS in Ithaca with mandatory teaching experience and a one-year industry-focused MEng at Cornell Tech in NYC, where students build actual products for real companies through the first-of-its-kind Studio curriculum.
University of California-San Diego
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.
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue CS faculty have had research collaborations with every other college at Purdue in the past five years, demonstrating the program's unique interdisciplinary reach and practical application across all fields of study.
Best Computer Science Programs - Compare Top 5 Graduate
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 95.5/100 |
| #2 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 88.7/100 |
| #3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private | $59,750 | N/A | 88.4/100 |
| #4 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 85.7/100 |
| #5 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | 83.8/100 |
Top 50 Computer Science PhD Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | — | — | — | — | 95.5 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | — | — | — | — | 88.7 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | — | — | — | — | 88.4 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | — | — | — | — | 85.7 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | — | — | — | — | 83.8 |
| 6 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | — | — | — | — | 82.8 |
| 7 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | — | — | — | — | 82.6 |
| 8 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | — | — | — | — | 81.8 |
| 9 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | — | — | — | — | 79.2 |
| 10 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | — | — | — | — | 78.6 |
| 11 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | — | — | — | — | 75.6 |
| 12 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | — | — | — | — | 75.2 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | — | — | — | — | 75.1 |
| 14 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | — | — | — | — | 74.9 |
| 15 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | — | — | — | — | 73.4 |
| 16 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | — | — | — | — | 71.9 |
| 17 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | — | — | — | — | 69.3 |
| 18 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | — | — | — | — | 69.1 |
| 19 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | — | — | — | — | 68.8 |
| 20 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | — | — | — | — | 68.7 |
| 21 | Brown University | Providence, RI | — | — | — | — | 68.7 |
| 22 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | — | — | — | — | 67.9 |
| 23 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | — | — | — | — | 67.7 |
| 24 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | — | — | — | — | 67.3 |
| 25 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | — | — | — | — | 67.3 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
PhD in Computer Science Program Overview: What You'll Learn
Computer Science PhD programs prepare students for careers in academic research, industry R&D, and technical leadership roles. The typical program requires 4-7 years of study, combining advanced coursework, comprehensive exams, and original research culminating in a dissertation.
Our analysis of 287 programs using NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates 2024 data reveals significant variation in outcomes. Top-tier programs like MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon achieve median completion times of 5.2-5.6 years, while the national average is 5.8 years. These elite programs also show higher academic placement rates (45-55% vs. 35% nationally) and stronger industry research positions.
Core research areas span artificial intelligence and machine learning, systems and architecture, theory and algorithms, human-computer interaction, and cybersecurity. Students typically specialize after completing foundational coursework and passing qualifying exams. The Computer Science Degree Hub provides additional context on undergraduate preparation for PhD study.
Career Paths
Computer and Information Research Scientists
SOC 15-1221Design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology, conducting research that leads to advances in computer science
University Professor (Assistant/Associate/Full)
Conduct original research, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and mentor students in computer science programs
Principal Research Scientist (Industry)
Lead advanced research projects at technology companies, developing next-generation products and technologies
Machine Learning Engineer/AI Researcher
SOC 15-2051Design and implement machine learning systems, develop AI algorithms for commercial and research applications
Chief Technology Officer/VP of Engineering
Lead technology strategy and development at companies, managing large engineering teams and technical direction
Quantitative Researcher/Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Apply statistical and computational methods to analyze complex datasets in finance, tech, and research institutions
Top PhD Programs by State
California
Massachusetts
New York
Texas
Pennsylvania
Program Spotlights: Deep Dive Into Top PhD Programs
The following detailed profiles examine the top 5 computer science PhD programs, highlighting their research strengths, faculty achievements, and unique characteristics that set them apart in the field.
Major Research Areas in Computer Science PhD Programs
Computer science PhD programs typically organize research around core areas, each with distinct methodologies and career paths. Understanding these specializations helps prospective students identify programs that align with their research interests.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Focus on neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. Top programs include Stanford, MIT, CMU, and UC Berkeley.
- Systems and Architecture: Research in operating systems, distributed systems, computer architecture, and networking. Leading programs include MIT, Stanford, Washington, and Princeton.
- Theory and Algorithms: Mathematical foundations of computing including complexity theory, algorithms, and cryptography. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and Berkeley excel in theoretical research.
- Human-Computer Interaction: Interdisciplinary research combining psychology, design, and technology. CMU, Stanford, and Washington lead in HCI research.
- Cybersecurity and Privacy: Growing field covering cryptography, security systems, and privacy-preserving technologies. Strong programs include CMU, MIT, UC Berkeley, and Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Science PhD Programs
Based on 287 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.