Top 15 Universities in USA for MS in Computer Science

Want to get admission to the best Computer science colleges in the United States but don’t know which university is best? If this is the problem then we have made the Top 15 universities in USA for MS in computer science in which you can get admission.

Why study computer science in the USA?

Computer Science has transformed and affected almost every field imaginable. Studying computer science in the US allows you to gain valuable educational experiences. It also allows you to study in one of the most powerful economies in the world. To solve your dilemma of applying to the right university, we have successfully sorted out the best computer science universities in the USA based on their course and university rankings.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS): A Powerhouse!

MIT’s EECS, the biggest at MIT, is a tech giant! With top-notch professors, MIT gears up students for the high-tech world. Courses cover Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Computer Science & Molecular Biology, and Computer Science Economics & Data Science.

Cost Details:

• Average Tuition: $55,450
• Financial Support: $23,442
• Average Boarding: $17,320

EECS members dive into exciting labs like the AI Lab and Microsystems Tech Lab, creating robots and energy-harvesting medical devices. MIT’s work touches lives worldwide, making it a tech hub with heart!

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2. Stanford University

Computer Science at Stanford’s School of Engineering

Stanford’s School of Engineering rocks with a Computer Science degree for both undergrads and grads! You can dive into cool stuff like AI, biocomputation, software theory, and more.

Stanford leads in AI, robotics, and computer science research. The tuition is $64,450, but hold on – financial help is available at $50,134. Boarding costs around $17,255.

100 Ranked Universities in the world

Stanford loves mixing things up! Computer Science students can explore chemistry, genetics, medicine, and more. Graduates are all set for a rocking career in research and tech.

3. Carnegie Mellon University

CMU’s School of Computer Science offers diverse undergraduate degrees in Computer Science, specializing in human-computer interaction, robotics, machine learning, arts, biology, and even a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence.

Costs:

• Average Tuition: $57,560
• Financial Support: $38,163
• Average Boarding: $3,170

Graduate degrees include specializations in data science, product management, information technology, privacy engineering, and computer vision.

CMU collaborates with nonprofits and industries to create tech solutions that extend beyond traditional computer science boundaries.

4. University of California, Berkeley

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), boasts top-ranked programs that attract exceptional students globally.

The Computer Science degree provides flexibility for exploring various fields like economics and music. On the other hand, the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program caters to those with a keen interest in engineering.

UCB’s college is actively engaged in research across 15 diverse fields, including AI, computer architecture, robotics, energy, and graphics.

Here are some key figures:

• Average Tuition: $43,938
• Financial Support: $18,319
• Average Boarding: $14,274

UCB is widely recognized as a distinguished institution for higher education. It houses a renowned faculty, maintains a strong commitment to educational excellence, and features a beautiful campus.

5. Harvard University

At the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), students not only learn the basics of computation but also how computation interacts with the world. While working towards their degrees, students have the opportunity to engage in research and specialize in various disciplines such as artificial intelligence, architecture, neuroscience, economics, graphics, vision, information and society, and programming languages.

Here are some key details:

• Average Tuition: $49,653
• Financial Support: $49,870
• Average Boarding: $18,389

SEAS follows an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to education. Through partnerships with colleges in academia, industry, public organizations, and the government, Harvard fosters groundbreaking discoveries. This collaborative effort leads to the development of technologies, products, and ideas that have a positive impact on lives worldwide.

6. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Caltech’s Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences is located in Pasadena and is known for hosting the most popular course on campus.

The department offers courses in applied and computational mathematics, computer science, mathematical sciences, and dynamical systems. Additionally, it focuses on research areas such as complexity theory, computational neuroscience, molecular programming, and quantum computation.

For those considering the financial aspects:

• Average Tuition: $54,570
• Financial Support: $41,408
• Average Boarding: $17,337

The college maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of one to three, promoting collaborative efforts across campus and research centers. Noteworthy collaborations include the Center for Advanced Computing Research, the Molecular Programming Project, Keck Institute for Space Studies, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This collaborative environment enhances the overall learning experience for students.

7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

As students develop their foundational knowledge in computer science, the University of Illinois guides them in exploring areas such as virtual reality, social computing, and data science. Additionally, undergraduate students have the unique opportunity to initiate and manage their own projects.

Key Statistics:

• Average Tuition: $33,497
• Financial Support: $13,595
• Average Boarding: $12,252

The university is actively involved in research across various computer science fields, including computer architecture, parallel computing, artificial intelligence (AI), bioinformatics, and interactive computing.

8. University of Washington

The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington provides Computer Science and Computer Engineering programs to over two thousand students each term.

The faculty at the Allen School is well-respected and supports students in conducting research across various fields, including augmented reality, AI, game science, fabrication, privacy, networking, and more.

Key Figures:

• Average Tuition: $38,091
• Financial Support: $12,946
• Average Boarding: $15,942

The University of Washington is recognized as one of the top colleges guiding students towards high-tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.

The university fosters an open and inclusive culture, creating a conducive environment for multidisciplinary collaboration with other colleges to enrich students’ education.

9. University of Texas at Austin

At UTA, undergraduates can choose from over 50 computer education courses. Meanwhile, graduate students focus on advancing their knowledge in computer science and delve into research areas like AI, bioinformatics, data mining, model-driven engineering, natural computation, security, graphics & visualization.

Here are some key figures:

• Average Tuition: $39,399
• Financial Support: $10,644
• Average Boarding: $11,812

The Computer Science College at UTA is nationally recognized, ranking among the top 15 departments. It boasts over ten research facilities, including robotics and system research consortiums. These consortia bring together industry and academic researchers to collaborate on developing cutting-edge technology.

10. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology is known for its impactful undergraduate and graduate programs. The programs stand out for their real-world applicability, social and scientific impact, and world-class leadership.

Within the College of Computing, students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in computer science and computational media. For those seeking advanced degrees, master’s programs are offered in cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, bioengineering, analytics, and computational science.

Key Details:

• Average Tuition: $31,370
• Financial Support: Information not provided
• Average Boarding: $14,830

The College of Computing at Georgia Tech distinguishes itself through research initiatives in high-performance computing, geometry and graphics, and cognitive science.

The university actively fosters a supportive computing community, encourages entrepreneurship through start-ups, and provides mentoring programs. These initiatives aim to help students reach their academic and career goals, making Georgia Tech a hub for aspiring computer science professionals.

11. Cornell University

Cornell University’s computer science department is composed of three colleges: Computer Science, Information Sciences, and Statistics & Data Science.

Graduates from these programs have a wide array of opportunities, including roles in software engineering, computational finance, modeling, game design, robotics, AI, animation, security, and biotechnology. Additionally, students can pursue master’s or doctoral studies in computing-related fields.

Key Financial Information:

• Average Tuition: $58,586
• Financial Support: $36,164
• Average Boarding: $15,796

Active Research Environment: Students engage in active research across these diverse fields, benefiting from the guidance of a world-class, award-winning faculty.

Collaboration and Networking: While Cornell’s campus spans Ithaca and New York, students enjoy opportunities to collaborate with alumni in various industries such as finance, health, and technology. This collaborative environment enhances students’ exposure and potential for success in their chosen fields.

12. Princeton University

Princeton has consistently been a leader in computer science.

At Princeton’s Department of Computer Science, undergraduates can craft their own programs and select from various subjects like algorithms, theoretical computer science, computer system design, and applications.

For graduate students, there are specialized tracks in AI, machine learning, neural networks, computer architecture, and algorithm design.

Here are some key figures:

• Average Tuition: $53,890
• Financial Support: $48,088
• Average Boarding: $17,820

The department engages in research across computational biology, economics, language processing, policy, and security.

This broad focus provides graduates with diverse opportunities. Some enter companies in computing and information technology, while others choose startups or even establish their own companies.

13. University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan is a great place for learning about computer science, computer engineering, and data science. They offer degrees for both graduate and undergraduate students. The university works closely with big tech companies, startups, and labs, contributing a lot to research and education in computer science.

College Goals: The College of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan has big goals. They want to make important contributions to the world of data science through education, research, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

Important Numbers: If you’re thinking about studying at the University of Michigan, here are some numbers to consider:

• Average Tuition: $51,200
• Financial Support: $18,751
• Average Boarding: $11,996

Research Areas: The University of Michigan is involved in exciting research areas, including AI (Artificial Intelligence), chip design & architecture, data mining, automated reasoning, human-computer interaction, networking systems, robotics, security, and parallel computing. These projects are not only forward-looking and interdisciplinary but also have strong connections to industry and government.

14. Columbia University

At Columbia University, the Computer Science Department offers bachelor’s degrees in computer science and computer engineering. Students can specialize in Mathematics, Data Science, and Information Science.

Master’s Options: For those pursuing a master’s degree, there are exciting specializations available. Options include computational biology, computer security, machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), graphics, and robotics. Students focus on their MS thesis while delving into these interesting fields.

Costs and Support: The average tuition for programs is $61,850, and financial support of $49,185 is available. Additionally, students can budget around $13,644 for boarding expenses.

Research and Location: Columbia’s Computer Science Department is known for groundbreaking research in graphics, UI, NLP, security, networking, vision, and AI. Situated in vibrant New York City, students have the unique opportunity to live in one of the most diverse cities globally, offering abundant career options to explore.

15. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a public research university located in sunny San Diego, California.

History:

UCSD was established in 1960 and has since grown to become a prominent institution for higher education.

Established:

Founded in 1960.

Average Tuition:

The average tuition for the MS in Computer Science program at UCSD is around $16,000 per year for in-state students and approximately $29,000 per year for out-of-state students.

Financial Support:

UCSD offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs, to support students in their academic journey.

Average Boarding:

The average cost of boarding, including housing and meals, is estimated to be around $15,000 per year.

Facts:

UCSD is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, consistently ranking among the top universities globally.

Courses:

UCSD offers a comprehensive MS in Computer Science program with courses covering a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering.

Notable Alumni:

UCSD boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have made significant contributions to the field of computer science and technology.

Campus Life:

The campus is known for its beautiful coastal location, providing students with a vibrant and inclusive environment to pursue their studies and engage in extracurricular activities.

FAQs on MS in Computer Science

Are there financial aid options available?

Most universities offer various scholarships, assistantships, and grants to support students.

How do I apply for admission?

Check each university’s admission website for specific application requirements and deadlines.

Are GRE scores mandatory?

GRE requirements vary; check university websites for specific details.

What is the average duration of the MS in CS program?

Typically, it’s a two-year program.

Do these universities provide internship opportunities?

Yes, they often have partnerships with leading tech companies for internships.

Is work experience required for admission?

Some universities prefer applicants with work experience, but it’s not always mandatory.

Are there research opportunities for students?

Yes, these universities emphasize research, providing ample opportunities for students.

What’s the average class size?

Class sizes vary, but smaller classes often facilitate better student-teacher interaction.

Can international students apply?

Yes, international students are encouraged to apply, and many programs have a diverse student body.

What is the campus culture like?

It varies, but these universities usually have vibrant and inclusive campus cultures.

Are there English language proficiency requirements?

Yes, most universities require TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers.

Can I switch my specialization during the program?

Check with the specific university; some allow specialization changes.

How is the alumni network?

These universities often have strong and influential alumni networks.

What makes these universities stand out for MS in CS?

They combine academic excellence, research opportunities, and industry connections for a comprehensive learning experience.