Students looking into computer science should look for strong academic programs. Getting an education is an investment. As such, students should considerthe return on investment (ROI) when making decisions.
Currently, computer science is one of the highest-paying industries in the world. The average pay for software developers is over $90,000 per year. The average pay for computer and information research scientists is over $100,000 per year. These numbers come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those hoping to maximize their investment should attend one of these high-ROI universities.
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The 25 Best Computer Science Programs Ranking Methodology
Selection Criteria
For this ranking, we focused on public and private (non-profit) colleges and universities. But not just any computer science programs would do. Specifically, we looked for top degree programs that also offer a strong ROI.
Ranking Factors
First, we sought out the strongest computer science degrees by collecting data in three categories. In each of these categories, we then created a minimum threshold requirement. Only schools that performed at or above the threshold in all three areas made it onto our final ranking.
Program Demand: How much demand is there for the program relative to other majors at the school? To find out, we calculated the percentage of all 2015-16 graduates who earned their degree in computer science. (Threshold: 3%)
Computational Aptitude: Does the school attract students with strong math/analytical skills? We assessed this metric using the 25th percentile SAT math score of all accepted applicants. (Threshold: 560 points)
Research and Development: How much does the school invest in research and development? Here, we considered two data points. First, the dollar amount that the university dedicated to math and computer science programs last year. Second, what percentage that amount represents of all annual research spending. (Thresholds: $200k and 3%)
Finally, we ranked the 30 qualifying colleges according to their projected ROI. Scroll down to see which 30 schools made our computer science degrees ranking. Scroll down to see which 30 schools made our computer science degrees ranking for the best return on investment!
Thanks for reading our ranking of the 30 top computer science schools for ROI in the United States!
Sources:
IPEDS Data Center
College Navigator
National Science Foundation
PayScale.com
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