Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs in 2025

Computer science continues to reign as one of the most popular and sought-after undergraduate majors nationwide. As technology storms the world, the demand for skilled computer science professionals grows, attracting a competitive pool of applicants. Prospective students in computer science are increasingly focused on finding colleges that offer exceptional resources, cutting-edge research opportunities, and specialized computer science programs to help them succeed in the field.

However, the popularity of computer science means that admission to these programs is more competitive than ever. Acceptance rates for computer science programs at the best colleges are often significantly lower than the overall university acceptance rates. This trend highlights the importance of understanding which schools offer the best fit and opportunities for aspiring computer scientists.

Why Study Computer Science at the Best Colleges?

The benefits of earning an undergraduate degree in computer science schools are immense. These computer science programs offer:

• Access to World-Class Research: Gain hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and other cutting-edge fields.
• Exceptional Curriculum: Tailored courses that prepare students for high-demand roles in tech.
• Industry Connections: Build a professional network with leading professors and alumni who are pioneers in computer science programs.

These advantages position graduates for successful careers in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. A computer science degree will only unlock career opportunities.

The 10 Best Undergraduate Computer Science Schools in 2025

Here are the top-ranked computer science schools for undergraduate computer science programs based on the latest 2025 data from U.S. News & World Report:

Stanford University

Few colleges can rival Stanford University‘s prestigious undergraduate computer science programs. Stanford offers outstanding, high-level research opportunities to its undergraduate students, and its research projects are renowned for being cutting-edge.

Stanford undergrads can get involved with this research through their participation in CURIS (a summer research program), for-credit academic year research, and completing their senior year Honors Thesis. Stanford graduates enjoy a remarkable advantage, earning some of the highest starting salaries compared to their computer science peers from other institutions. This substantial increase in earning potential further underscores the immense value of a computer science education at Stanford University and why it is so hard to gain admission to its prestigious ranks.

Carnegie Mellon University

The School of Computer Science (SCS) offers bachelor’s degrees in artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer science, and human-computer interaction. It also offers interdisciplinary majors that integrate computer science, the arts, music, and technology.

While Carnegie Mellon may rank high for undergraduate computer science majors, this success does not mean that the computer science schools following it are any less prestigious or renowned for their computer science programs. Please note that to be guaranteed the opportunity to study computer science at Carnegie Mellon, students must apply directly to the computer science program when they graduate from high school.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is a top-ranked college among all computer science programs. Its ranking is no surprise, given that a computer science degree at MIT attracts one of the highest percentages of undergraduates. MIT offers a robust selection of different computer science majors, including Electrical Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making, Computer Science and Molecular Biology, and Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science.

MIT also has outstanding research divisions in computer science, including AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Communication Systems, Computational Fabrication and Manufacturing, Computer Architecture, Educational Technology, Graphics and Vision, Human-Computer Interaction, Security and Cryptography, and more. The expansive breadth and depth of MIT’s resources and opportunities make it a compelling choice for any undergraduate looking to pursue computer science at the highest level.

Given the high demand for computer science talent, MIT computer science graduates are renowned for securing competitive positions across diverse industries. Widely known for its excellence in computer science education, MIT consistently claims the top spot in most publications’ rankings of computer science schools in the US. With one of the finest undergraduate computer science programs nationally, if not globally, the institution’s reputation speaks for itself.

University of California – Berkeley

UC Berkeley stands among the elite undergraduate institutions for a computer science degree. It provides aspiring computer science majors with the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree within the field.

For those seeking a highly competitive BS computer science degree, students must apply through the College of Engineering. Alternatively, students aiming for a BA degree in computer science can apply through the College of Letters and Science. The Bachelor of Arts Major provides students with the broader opportunity to study computer science within the context of other fields, while the Bachelor of Science Major is specifically focused on the relationship and integration between computer science and electrical engineering. These two distinct academic pathways allow Berkeley undergraduate students to tailor their education according to their specific interests and career goals within the realm of computer science.

UC Berkeley has many computer science programs, including Artificial Intelligence, Biosystems and Computational Biology, Cyber-Physical Systems and Design Automation, Integrated Circuits, Micro/Nano Electromechanical Systems, Physical Electronics, Scientific Chemical Processing, and more.

Princeton University

Princeton University offers undergraduate students the choice of pursuing a computer science major through either the A.B. or B.S.E. degree programs. This customizable programming ensures comprehensive exposure to algorithms, theoretical computer science, computer system design, and more.

Independent work and hands-on collaboration are key features of Princeton’s undergraduate computer science curriculum. Each participating student undertakes at least one design or research project guided by a seasoned faculty member. This applied approach enables students to engage in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial product design.

Princeton’s research areas include Computational Biology, Computer Architecture, Human-Computer Interaction, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Public Law and policy, Robotics, Security and Privacy, Theory, Vision and Graphics, and more. Graduates of the computer science program at Princeton are highly secure in their ability to pursue the highest-ranked computer science graduate school programs in the country.

University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

The Computer Science department at the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign offers 14 different variations of computer science undergraduate degrees. Each program encompasses a core foundation of CS courses but also allows students to personalize their degree to align with their own specific interests. This uniquely blended programming reflects the interdisciplinary nature of computer science and the opportunities for innovation across a wide variety of subjects.

The specific major pathways include CS + Anthropology, CS + Astronomy, CS + Philosophy, CS + Economics, CS + Chemistry CS + Animal Sciences, CS + Music, CS + Education, CS + Advertising, and more. This flexibility is a major allure to the 2,300 or so undergraduates who pursue a CS major from the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign.

It is also worth noting that undergraduate students in computer science majors are treated as critical contributors to the world-renowned research conducted each year at the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign. Research areas include Artificial Intelligence, Computers and Education, Data and Information Systems, Interactive Computing, Scientific Computing, Systems and Networking, Theory and Algorithms, and more. The university has good reason to boast about its innovative and competitive approach to the world of tech, seeing as some of its graduates have gone on to create Microsoft, PayPal, YouTube, and more.

Cornell University

Among the top computer science schools, Cornell’s Computer Science department has long been a pioneer in education, research, and innovation in computer science. Cornell students are given the opportunity to engage in research alongside visionary faculty, participate in national and international competitions, and contribute to projects that have real-world effects. With a focus on cutting-edge areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, scientific computing, virtual reality, computer vision, and more, Cornell provides many paths of pursuit within the scope of undergraduate computer science studies.

Cornell also has a unique research offering known as the Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE). BURE is an application-only program that offers Cornell computer science undergraduates a hands-on summer experience, allowing them to acquire new skills and delve into the world of research at a Ph.D. level. This 10-week summer program pairs undergraduates with esteemed faculty mentors and provides individual funding of $6,000 per admitted student. Space to participate in BURE is limited, as this is a competitive and highly sought-after program.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Compared to other renowned computer science schools, the Georgia Tech College of Computing’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) program equips over 3,000 undergraduate students with the essential skills and knowledge to emerge as trailblazers and influential figures in the world of computing. Georgia Institute of Technology, or more specifically, the College of Computing, utilizes a revolutionary curriculum known as Threads. With eight different “threads,” undergraduate computer science students get to customize their path of study and application. The eight available pathways for students to select from are Devices, Info Internetworks, Intelligence, Media, Modeling & Simulation, People, Systems & Architecture, and Theory.

Beyond the pursuit of a specific thread or major, students also have a plethora of research areas to become involved in, including Computer Architecture, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Robotics and Computational Perception, Social Computing & Computational Journalism, Geometry, Graphics & Animation, Hardware Security, and so many more. It is also worth noting that students in computer science programs at the Georgia Institute of Technology are set up for success long after graduation.

University of Washington

When sifting through competitive computer science schools, The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington offers an exceptional environment for college students who want to study computer science. Due to the high demand and the limited nature of its prestigious resources, the Allen School operates on a capacity-constrained basis and can only admit nearly 550 new students every year. These constraints make entry into the University of Washington’s computer science program extremely competitive, necessitating a thoughtful admissions process to ensure the best possible learning experience for all admitted students. Most students utilize the “Direct to Major” admission pathway as high school applicants when pursuing admission to the Allen School.

Students at the University of Washington can choose between pursuing a Computer Science bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (CE). The CS degree is granted by the College of Arts and Sciences and provides a wider range of liberal arts and general education courses. This degree provides students with greater flexibility to customize their educational path. Alternatively, the CE degree is conferred by the College of Engineering and holds accreditation from ABET. Its focus is more strongly directed towards math, science, and computing hardware, reflecting its engineering-oriented focus. Regardless of the major a student chooses to pursue, there are plenty of opportunities for computer science students to personalize their academic pathways based on their own interests and career aspirations.

The University of Washington offers extensive research in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Architecture, Animation and Game Science, Cryptography, Machine Learning, Molecular Programming and Synthetic Biology, Natural Language Processing, Robotics, Theory of Computation, Wireless and Sensor Systems, and more.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Caltech has gained esteemed prestige for its academic focus and expertise in various fields of technology. Undergraduate students in computer science programs are able to pursue a computer science degree through assorted academic pathways, including Networking, Distributed Systems, Robotics, Machine Learning, Graphics, Databases, and more.

Furthermore, Caltech is renowned for its emphasis on research opportunities for its undergraduate students. Through initiatives like the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) program and the mandatory independent capstone project, undergraduate students are exposed to a variety of research avenues, enabling them to engage in hands-on exploration and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in computer science.

What to Consider When Applying to Top Computer Science Schools

• Selectivity: Many schools on this list have acceptance rates under 10%, especially for their computer science programs. Make sure to diversify your college list with reach, target, and safety schools.
• Specialized Majors: Evaluate program offerings such as AI, robotics, or human-computer interaction to align with your career goals.
• Research Opportunities: Look for hands-on experiences like summer research programs, internships, or capstone projects.

How to Stand Out When Applying to Competitive Computer Science Programs

Admission to the best undergraduate computer science schools requires strategic preparation. Focus on building a resume demonstrating computer technology skills, critical thinking expansion, web development proclivity, and expertise in relevant computer systems and operating systems. Maintain excellent grades in STEM subjects, especially math and programming.

In addition, showcase projects, internships, or participation in coding competitions. Students should also express their connection to the school when writing a personal statement while also highlighting their passion for computer science and their problem-solving skills.

The Spark Advantage for Aspiring Computer Scientists

Navigating the college admissions process for computer science programs can be overwhelming. That’s where our experienced college admissions consultants come in. At Spark Admissions, we help you build a personalized college list tailored to your goals, develop an application strategy that showcases your strengths, and stand out in the competitive landscape of computer science admissions.

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