Computer Science major
Computer Science: courses, careers, and where to study
Computer Science combines the mathematical foundations of computation with practical software engineering, preparing graduates for careers in software, AI/ML, security, data, and research.
A Computer Science (CS) major covers algorithms, data structures, operating systems, computer architecture, programming languages, databases, and the mathematics behind them, discrete math, linear algebra, and probability. Most CS programs require 3–4 semesters of math and physics in addition to the major.
By the time graduates leave, they can write production code in multiple languages, reason about algorithmic complexity, design and reason about distributed systems, and have at least one specialization (AI/ML, security, systems, theory, or applications). Many CS programs offer concentrations or BS-vs-BA tracks; the BS typically requires more math and engineering coursework.
Academic classification (CIP)
In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Computer Science maps to CIP 11.0701, Computer Science, within the COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES family. The official definition:
A program that focuses on computer theory, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.
Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov
What credential Computer Science is awarded as
Of the 79,450 Computer Science credentials U.S. colleges reported conferring in 2023-24:
- Certificate<1%407
- Associate7%5,528
- Bachelor's58%45,898
- Graduate35%27,617
This mix is fairly consistent nationally: across the 49 states reporting it, the certificate share moves by about 1 percentage points between the 10th and 90th percentile state, so the credential is more a property of the field than of where you study it. See the full study.
Credentials conferred in 2023-24, U.S. Department of Education IPEDS completions. A certificate is a different credential from a degree, not a lesser one, and this counts what was awarded rather than what a college currently offers.
What you'll study
- Programming foundations in languages like Python, Java, C/C++, and JavaScript
- Algorithm design and analysis (Big-O, dynamic programming, graph algorithms)
- Data structures (arrays, trees, hash tables, heaps, graphs)
- Operating systems, networks, and computer architecture
- Databases and distributed systems
- Discrete mathematics, linear algebra, probability, and statistics
- Software engineering practices: version control, testing, code review, agile workflows
- A specialization track such as AI/ML, security, theory, systems, or HCI
Typical careers
- Software Engineer
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Security Engineer
- Research Scientist (CS PhD)
Typical salary range: $78,000–$135,000 early-career (BLS, 2024 software developers median $133,080)Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.
Related occupations
Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Computer Science, with what each one pays and how many openings it is projected to average each year. Ordered by projected annual openings, largest first. Linked titles open the full CampusPin career page.
| Occupation | Median pay | Openings / yr | Projected change | Most entrants hold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $133,080 | 115,200 | +15.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $171,200 | 55,600 | +15.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $108,970 | 31,300 | +8.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Data Scientists | $112,590 | 23,400 | +33.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Information Security Analysts | $124,910 | 16,000 | +28.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $102,610 | 14,000 | +10% | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | $73,340 | 9,600 | +1.8% | Associate's degree |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $98,090 | 9,100 | +7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer Programmers | $98,670 | 5,500 | -6% | Bachelor's degree |
| Web Developers | $90,930 | 5,400 | +7.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Database Architects | $135,980 | 4,000 | +8.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,690 | 3,500 | +5.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $140,910 | 3,200 | +19.7% | Master's degree |
Crosswalk: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. Pay, openings and projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 wages, Employment Projections). 13 of these 13 occupations report a median wage.
“Most entrants hold” is what BLS observes about people already working in the occupation. It is not a legal requirement, not an admission rule, and not a guarantee of entry. Studying Computer Science does not guarantee any specific occupation, and many of these roles are entered from several different fields. Projected openings are a projection, not jobs promised.
Before you commit to a Computer Science major
CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Computer Science program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.
Ask the Computer Science department
- Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
- What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
- What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
- Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?
Ask current students & check the curriculum
- How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
- What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
- Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
- How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Find a Computer Science program
CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.
Colleges that awarded the most Computer Science credentials
Largest by credentials conferred in 2023-24. This measures the size of the graduating class, not quality, and it is not a ranking.
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · 1,561
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · 1,555
- University of Southern CaliforniaCA · 1,533
- University of Central MissouriMO · 1,222
- Oregon State UniversityOR · 1,130
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · 1,099
- Western Governors UniversityUT · 1,096
- University of Maryland-College ParkMD · 1,082
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · 1,082
- Stevens Institute of TechnologyNJ · 1,065
- University of California-BerkeleyCA · 940
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · 919
Based on credentials this institution reported conferring in the federal IPEDS completions collection for 2023-24. It confirms the field was awarded that year, not that the program currently accepts students, and it covers only the fields CampusPin tracks. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Where Computer Science credentials were awarded
39 states have a distinct enough set of Computer Science colleges to be worth its own page.
- California134
- New York75
- Pennsylvania54
- Massachusetts45
- Texas45
- Illinois40
- Ohio37
- Minnesota32
- Washington31
- Indiana28
- Virginia25
- North Carolina24
- Tennessee23
- Michigan22
- Florida21
- Missouri20
- Iowa19
- New Jersey17
- Louisiana16
- Maryland15
- Georgia15
- Wisconsin15
- Oregon13
- South Carolina13
- Arkansas12
- Oklahoma10
- Maine9
- Mississippi9
- Connecticut8
- Nebraska8
- Vermont8
- New Hampshire7
- Rhode Island7
- Kentucky6
- District of Columbia6
- Idaho6
- Montana6
- West Virginia6
- Hawaii5
Search Computer Science schools by state
Related majors
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity prepares graduates to defend networks, systems, and data, combining computing fundamentals with offensive and defensive security techniques and the policy frameworks that govern them.
Data Science
Data Science combines statistics, programming, and domain expertise to turn raw data into decisions, drawing on machine learning, visualization, and data engineering.
Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) focuses on applying computing systems to organizational needs, administering networks, supporting users, building business systems, and managing IT operations.
Mathematics
Mathematics develops formal proof, abstraction, and quantitative analysis, feeding into research, finance, computing, actuarial science, and graduate programs across STEM.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering applies physics and math to circuits, power, and electronics, suiting students who want to design the hardware and systems behind modern technology.
Still deciding between Computer Science and something else?
These guides put Computer Scienceside by side with the major it is most often confused with, using the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk to show where the two actually lead.
Computer Science vs Information Technology
Coursework, shared and distinct occupations, and BLS pay for both.
Computer Science vs Software Engineering
Coursework, shared and distinct occupations, and BLS pay for both.
Computer Science vs Computer Engineering
Coursework, shared and distinct occupations, and BLS pay for both.
Computer Science vs Data Science
Coursework, shared and distinct occupations, and BLS pay for both.
Put this major in context
The salary above is an occupation-wide median from federal data, not a starting wage or a guarantee. These CampusPin guides and reports help you read it well, see where a Computer Science degree can lead, and weigh it against cost and program quality.
Explore Computing & Math careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
Explore Management careers
Median pay, job outlook, and the occupations this field covers.
How one major leads to many careers
Why a single Computer Science degree can open more than one path, and how to read the occupations above.
Why a median wage is not a starting salary
How to read a BLS median, and why early-career pay usually sits below it.
When accreditation and licensure matter
How program accreditation and state licensure can shape a Computer Science path before you enroll.
Does a pricier college pay off?
How college cost lines up with graduation and earnings, an association, not a ranking.
Does picking a major narrow your college list?
Across the federal completions data, most fields barely change which colleges are on the table. Which ones genuinely do.
Certificate or degree?
What credential a field is usually awarded as is mostly set by the field itself, not by the state, with a short list of exceptions.
How this guide is sourced
This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.