Which Are the Top Universities for Computer Science in the US

In this modern world, the importance of studying computer science is immense. There are uncountable reasons for studying computer science. Along with the high demand for computer science skills and high salary scales, computer science may open a variety of career options to you.
This sector is equally, challenging and rewarding at the same time. If anyone chooses to study computer science from one of the renowned and advanced countries then he or she does not have to look back for success. The US is one of the most advanced and well-known countries for technology. In this article, we will be discussing the top computer science universities in the US.

Based on different countries and programs, the entry requirements for computer science varies. The US has some entry requirements for international students to start their education in the US. Additionally, different US universities have different entry requirements based on different programs. Likely, computer science programs in the US have some entry requirements which differ from one to another. However, there are some common ones which we are mentioning below:

• Prior educational certificate i.e. high school certificate (O-levels, A-levels or equivalent)
• For postgraduate degree, a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or higher in related stream
• Proof of English proficiency for non-English speakers
• Transcripts from previous educational degree
• SAT or ACT scores for selective subjects
• GRE or GMAT for selective subjects
• Work Experience letter (if available)
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume or CV

The length of computer science programs in the US varies depending on the university you attend and the level of degrees. Below we are detailing all of the available degrees in Computer Science-

Certificate
The certificate programs are the prior degree before entering into a Bachelor’s program. A Certificate program in Computer Science usually takes one to three years to earn.

Bachelor
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science usually takes four years to earn. However, several institutions offer three-year programs.

Master
Master of Computer Science typically takes one or two years to finish. However, some universities provide longer-duration part-time and online programs on computer science.

PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science normally takes four to six years to complete a PhD in computer science. However, some universities provide longer-duration programs and sometimes PhD depends on the students.

Besides those four main degrees, there are some universities that offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees together. In this case, the entire Bachelor’s and Master’s in Computer Science takes at least five years to complete.

The Tuition fees for computer science programs in the US varies depending on the university you attend and the level of degree. Below we are detailing all of the available degrees in Computer Science-

Certificate

The certificate programs are the prior degree before entering into a Bachelor’s program. A Certificate program in Computer Science in the US usually costs $7,000 to $18,000.

Bachelor

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science usually costs $15,000 to $60,000. Depending on the university, the tuition fee goes up and down.

Masters
Master of Computer Science typically costs between $20,000 to $60,000.

PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science normally gives you money for research work. However, there are a very little number of tuition fees that a PhD student has to pay which is somewhere around $5,000 to $15,000.

When choosing a university you have to check several times and there are a few points that you have to keep in your mind to choose the best Computer Science university. They are-

Location
The first and foremost thing to choose the best university for computer science in the US is determining the location. You have to choose the best location and locality to study for a couple of years in an unknown country. You have to determine whether the university’s location is preferable or not.

Ranking
You should research the ranking and popularity of the university. You can check the QS Ranking or Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking.

Curriculum
After selecting a preferred university, you have to go through the university website and programs and after choosing your preferred program, you should check the course curriculum and resources.

Cost
You have to determine the tuition fees. Some US universities have the list on their website, and some others may request you to give them a mail for the overall cost.

Faculty

On the university website, you will get the details of the faculty members, the guest lectures, and their quotes for new students. You should read those carefully.

Research/Internship Opportunities
In the course overview, you have to look at whether the university includes any research or internship opportunities or not.

Scholarship
You have to search for the scholarship options that your desired US university has offered for the year. There are some selective scholarship opportunities that every university in the US gives to international students. With this opportunity, you will get a good amount of cost-saving options.

You can avail some of the top-notch scholarships if you study computer science in the US. Students from all over the world can apply for a variety of scholarships available in US universities. Below we are naming a few main ones-

• The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
• The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest Scholarship
It is to be noted that to get those special scholarships, you must maintain good merit and meet the eligibility requirements of the scholarship which include a strong academic history, a commendable SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation and so on.

There are numerous fields of computer science. Below we are listing a few of them-

• Computer architecture
• Computer graphics
• Data structures and algorithms
• Computer programming
• Information security
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Computer engineering
• Operating systems
• Software engineering

Is computer science the right choice to study?
Answer: We are living in a technologically advanced world. Day by day this sector is becoming stronger and taking over the world. In this modern world, studying Computer Science can be one of the most fruitful decisions that any student can take.

Can I study computer science in the US?
Answer: The US is one of the most advanced and modern countries. The US has some of the top Computer Science programs and you can definitely study computer science in the US. There are many great universities in the US that offer computer science programs.

How is the US education system?
Answer: The US is worldwide famous. Besides offering many opportunities for students to succeed, the US education system is very diverse and known for its innovation.

Can I get a scholarship studying computer science in the US?
Answer: Most of the US universities offer lucrative scholarship opportunities to foreign students. To avail of those you have to meet the eligibility of each scholarship available for the students willing to study computer science in the US.