2026 Best Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Computer Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1091 colleges 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.
So you can compare your options, Computer Science Degree evaluated schools to build 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
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than California Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Pasadena, CA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Get the full California Institute Of Technology report
Request InformationOut of the 1091 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical Computer Science student debt is $10,399. Read the full report on Stanford University
Request InformationBrown University came in at #3 on this year's Computer Science ranking in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Get the full Brown University report
Request InformationYou'll be in good company at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Computer Science students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Request InformationOut of the 1091 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cornell University landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,698 in student loans. See the full Cornell University profile
Request InformationCarnegie Mellon University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical Computer Science student debt is $21,442. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Request InformationDuke University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median Computer Science program debt is $13,500. See the full Duke University profile
Request InformationHarvard University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
Request InformationUniversity Of California Berkeley placed #9 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Computer Science program debt is $13,900. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Request InformationDartmouth College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $18,490. Read more about Dartmouth College
Request InformationVanderbilt University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
Request InformationUniversity Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Request InformationNorthwestern University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. The median Computer Science program debt is $14,600. See the full Northwestern University profile
Request InformationSouthern Methodist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Southern Methodist University Computer Science students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
Request InformationUniversity Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Computer Science student debt is $20,000. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Request InformationUniversity 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Computer Science program here. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Request InformationGeorgetown University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Typical Computer Science student debt is $16,007. Get the full Georgetown University report
Request InformationTufts University did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Typical Computer Science student debt is $15,500. Read the full report on Tufts University
Request InformationWashington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #19 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Request InformationLehigh University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Lehigh University Computer Science students take on a median of $23,854 in debt. See the full Lehigh University profile
Request InformationGeorgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Request InformationUniversity Of California San Diego landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,550 in student loans. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
Request InformationColumbia University In The City Of New York came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. The median Computer Science program debt is $20,397. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Request InformationPurdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set 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 run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Computer Science student debt is $19,375. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Request InformationUniversity Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Rochester ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full University Of Rochester report
Request InformationUniversity Of Southern California landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical Computer Science student debt is $20,178. More on University Of Southern California
Request InformationUniversity 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. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $14,131 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Request InformationEmory University placed #29 among Computer Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Computer Science students take on a median of $15,250 in debt. Read the full report on Emory University
Request InformationTexas A And M University College Station ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,187 in student loans. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Request InformationGeorge Washington University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $19,500. Get the full George Washington University report
Request InformationMarquette University placed #32 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on Marquette University
Request InformationNorth 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. About 85% of students finish within six years. 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. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Request InformationColorado School Of Mines came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Request InformationUniversity Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Computer Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Request InformationRensselaer Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Request InformationCase Western Reserve University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $25,391 in student loans. More on Case Western Reserve University
Request InformationBoston University placed #38 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. The median Computer Science program debt is $23,250. Read the full report on Boston University
Request InformationIowa State University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Computer Science students take on a median of $24,663 in debt. Get the full Iowa State University report
Request InformationUniversity Of Georgia landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Request InformationMichigan Technological University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Michigan Technological University Computer Science students take on a median of $24,763 in debt. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
Request InformationUniversity Of California Irvine placed #42 among Computer Science schools in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,500. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Request InformationIndiana University Bloomington placed #43 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,417 in student loans. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Request InformationBrigham Young University Provo came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Provo
Request InformationUniversity Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. The median Computer Science program debt is $26,977. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Request InformationWorcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #46 position. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. The median Computer Science program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Request InformationBrandeis University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,142 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read the full report on Brandeis University
Request InformationDepaul University placed #48 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. The median Computer Science program debt is $25,310. Read more about Depaul University
Request InformationStony 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. About 76% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical Computer Science student debt is $20,537. Get the full Stony Brook University report
Request InformationNew Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #50 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. The median Computer Science program debt is $18,747. Read more about New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Request InformationRelated Computer Science Rankings
See rankings for 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
The ranking above is published by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).