2026 Best Computer Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Computer Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 7944 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 arm you with the information you need, Computer Science Degree reviewed 4630 schools to compile 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:
Leading the list is California Institute Of Technology, our #1 Computer Science school in the United States. Set in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Get the full California Institute Of Technology report
Request InformationA rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Stanford University
Request InformationOut of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #3 spot. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical Computer Science student debt is $11,904. Get the full Rice University report
Request InformationA rank of #4 makes Brown University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Brown University Computer Science students take on a median of $13,025 in debt. See the full Brown University profile
Request InformationYou'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Computer Science program debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Request InformationMassachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #6 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
Request InformationYale University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Yale University Computer Science students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. More on Yale University
Request InformationCarnegie Mellon University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Request InformationJohns Hopkins University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. The median Computer Science program debt is $13,426. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Request InformationCornell University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about Cornell University
Request InformationDuke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. The median Computer Science program debt is $13,296. More on Duke University
Request InformationGeorgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. 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 InformationHarvard University placed #13 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Computer Science program here. More on Harvard University
Request InformationThe University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Request InformationUniversity Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Computer Science students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Request InformationUniversity Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Computer Science student debt is $18,627. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Request InformationDartmouth College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Request InformationVirginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #18 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Request InformationUniversity Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Computer Science program here. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Request InformationVanderbilt University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Request InformationUniversity Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Request InformationUniversity Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Request InformationNorthwestern University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median Computer Science program debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
Request InformationMichigan State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Michigan State University Computer Science students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. Read more about Michigan State University
Request InformationSouthern Methodist University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Southern Methodist University Computer Science students take on a median of $20,712 in debt. More on Southern Methodist University
Request InformationRest 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 Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Computer Science program here. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Request InformationUniversity Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #27 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Computer Science program debt is $19,137. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Request InformationUniversity Of Florida came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Computer Science program debt is $17,669. More on University Of Florida
Request InformationUniversity Of Chicago came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical Computer Science student debt is $15,854. Read more about University Of Chicago
Request InformationUniversity Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Request InformationGeorgetown University placed #30 among Computer Science schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set 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 $16,483. Get the full Georgetown University report
Request InformationUniversity Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #32 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Computer Science program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Request InformationTufts University placed #33 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Typical Computer Science student debt is $17,074. Get the full Tufts University report
Request InformationWashington University In St Louis came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Computer Science students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Request InformationNew York University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. New York University Computer Science students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Read the full report on New York University
Request InformationLehigh University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Read more about Lehigh University
Request InformationUniversity Of California San Diego ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Computer Science schools. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $17,101. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
Request InformationNortheastern University did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Northeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical Computer Science student debt is $25,611. Read more about Northeastern University
Request InformationColumbia University In The City Of New York landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Request InformationPurdue University Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $19,844. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Request InformationUniversity Of California Santa Barbara placed #41 among Computer Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. University Of California Santa Barbara Computer Science students take on a median of $15,501 in debt. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
Request InformationUniversity Of Rochester landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. University Of Rochester Computer Science students take on a median of $21,517 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Rochester
Request InformationUniversity Of Southern California landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median Computer Science program debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report
Request InformationUniversity Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Computer Science students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Request InformationCollege Of William And Mary landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical Computer Science student debt is $18,935. More on College Of William And Mary
Request InformationMissouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Request InformationSyracuse University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. See the full Syracuse University profile
Request InformationClemson University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,783. Read the full report on Clemson University
Request InformationDakota State University placed #49 among Computer Science schools in the United States. Located in Madison, SD, Dakota State University is a public institution. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Dakota State University Computer Science students take on a median of $28,724 in debt. Read the full report on Dakota State University
Request InformationEmory University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical Computer Science student debt is $19,431. Read more about Emory University
Request InformationRelated 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 Computer Science Degree (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 · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 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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