2026 Best Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Computer Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1091 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found California Institute Of Technology to be the best Computer Science school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pasadena, CA. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile
The strong Computer Science programs at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Stanford University Computer Science students take on a median of $10,399 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
You'll be in good company at Brown University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Brown University Computer Science students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. More on Brown University
A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
The strong Computer Science programs at Cornell University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $14,698. Read more about Cornell University
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $21,442 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Duke University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical Computer Science student debt is $13,500. Read more about Duke University
Harvard University placed #8 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More on Harvard University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Computer Science student debt is $13,900. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Dartmouth College placed #10 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $18,490 in student loans. Read more about Dartmouth College
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their Computer Science program here. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Computer Science students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Northwestern University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical Computer Science student debt is $14,600. More on Northwestern University
Southern Methodist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Southern Methodist University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Computer Science student debt is $20,000. More on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Chicago came in at #16 in this year's ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical Computer Science student debt is $15,854. More on University Of Chicago
Georgetown University placed #17 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,007. See the full Georgetown University profile
Tufts University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,500. Read more about Tufts University
Washington University In St Louis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Lehigh University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,854 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full Lehigh University profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #21 position. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,550. Read more about University Of California San Diego
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $20,397 in student loans. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Purdue University Main Campus placed #24 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical Computer Science student debt is $11,000. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Rest of the Top 50 Best Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Rochester placed #26 among Computer Science schools in the United States. University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $19,000. Read the full report on University Of Rochester
University Of Southern California placed #27 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median Computer Science program debt is $20,178. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #28 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $14,131 in student loans. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Emory University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full Emory University profile
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical Computer Science student debt is $20,187. More on Texas A And M University College Station
George Washington University placed #31 among Computer Science schools in the United States. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. The median Computer Science program debt is $19,500. Get the full George Washington University report
Marquette University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,122. Read the full report on Marquette University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,073 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #36 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Case Western Reserve University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,391 in student loans. More on Case Western Reserve University
Boston University placed #38 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Boston University Computer Science students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Read more about Boston University
Iowa State University placed #39 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,663 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Georgia placed #40 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Michigan Technological University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,763. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
University Of California Irvine placed #42 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Irvine
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science students take on a median of $20,417 in debt. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Provo posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical Computer Science student debt is $12,000. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,977 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Brandeis University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,142 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full Brandeis University profile
Depaul University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical Computer Science student debt is $25,310. Read more about Depaul University
Stony Brook University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Stony Brook University Computer Science students take on a median of $20,537 in debt. See the full Stony Brook University profile
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete their Computer Science program here. More on New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Related Computer Science Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Computer Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Computer Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Computer Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Computer Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Computer Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1091 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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