College List: 5 Colleges with Robust Computer Science Programs

Computer science programs are becoming increasingly popular and increasingly selective. Strong computer science programs not only increase students’ computing know-how, but offer hands-on coursework and professional experiences, such as research and internships. In a constantly evolving field, CS departments are working hard to stay ahead of the curve in areas from artificial intelligence to robotics and network security. Students interested in computer science should research if colleges of interest offer up-to-date coursework, specializations that interest them, and career development resources.

Read more about five robust computer science programs below!

University of Wisconsin-Madison: UW-Madison’s School of Computer, Data, and Information Sciences offers its students a strong foundation in computing and access to professors whose research areas include machine learning, human-computer interaction, and robotics. An upcoming CDIS facility, Morgridge Hall, represents an investment in the CS program and will offer increased capacity for faculty, students, and modern facilities. UW-Madison boasts industry partners including Google, Apple, and Epic, and students have access to research and career opportunities like the WISCERS research mentorship program.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering is home to the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and considers computer science the “Third Pillar of Engineering.” Siebel offers 20+ undergraduate degree options, including 14 CS + X degrees, which allow students to combine computer science with fields from music to bioengineering to advertising. Graduates who meet GPA requirements even receive guaranteed admission into UIUC’s Master in Computer Science programs.

Georgia Institute of Technology: Georgia Tech’s College of Computing offers highly ranked undergraduate programs in cybersecurity, software engineering, game development, and AI. With degrees in computer science, computer engineering, and computational media combined with the customizable Threads curriculum, students can adapt their degree to fit their interests and goals. Access to Atlanta’s tech scene and Georgia Tech’s entrepreneurship opportunities offer learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

The Pennsylvania State University: Penn State’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers degrees in computer science, data science, and computer engineering.

Student organizations like HackPSU and the Association for Computing Machinery connect students with peers and competitions. With research hubs like the Center for Machine Learning and Applications and the Institute of Networking and Security Research and $32 million in yearly research expenditures, students will be surrounded by groundbreaking scholarly activities across fields.

University of Colorado Boulder: CU Boulder’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences helps its students take action. Nearly 60% of its students participate in internships or co-ops, and those pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete a yearlong capstone experience like a software design project or senior thesis. With nine informal specializations from AI and bioinformatics to theory of computing, CU Boulder pairs student passions with real-world experience.

Need help building a balanced list of computer science schools for your student? Galin’s college counselors can help!

Berkeley, MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Rice, UIUC, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Harvey Mudd, Purdue, U of Washington, USC, U of Maryland, UW Madison, Northeastern

“Hidden gems:”

Illinois Washington Carnegie

CU Boulder

Berkeley

Georgia Tech

Penn State

- UW-Madison:
  - School of Computer, Data, & Information Sciences
  - Comp sci major, comp sci cert, data sci major, data sci cert, info sci and stats too
  - 2700 majors as of fall 2024
  - 5 CS specific advisors
  - Comp Sci Learning Center drop in tutoring
    - https://www.cs.wisc.edu/undergraduate-computer-sciences-academic-resources/
  - Plus One Master’s program
    - https://www.cs.wisc.edu/grad/programs/pmp/pop/
  - 20 related student orgs
    - https://www.cs.wisc.edu/the-student-experience/student-orgs/
  - Research specialities including machine learning and robotics
    - https://www.cs.wisc.edu/research/research-groups/
  - Center for High Throughput Computing https://chtc.cs.wisc.edu/
  - N+1 computing https://nplus1.wisc.edu/
  - CDIS specific career fair https://cdis.wisc.edu/career/

WISCERS research mentorship

- - - https://wiscers.cs.wisc.edu/

New Morgridge Hall

- - - https://cdis.wisc.edu/building/
    - Expanded capacity/investment in the program

Industry partners including Google, App, Epic, and Playstation

- - - https://cdis.wisc.edu/industry-2/
- UIUC
  - The Grainger College of Engineering contains the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science

Calls comp sci “third pillar of engineering”

- - Stats
    - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/
    - 20+ degree options
    - 130 faculty
    - #5 ranked program
    - 5600 students
    - 35.5m research expenditures

CS + X double majors

- - - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate/degree-program-options/cs-x-degree-programs
    - Everything from music to bioengineering to advertising
    - 14 options

CS majors within gpa requirements are “guaranteed admission to our Online MCS or MCS in Data Science (MCS-DS) programs.”

- - Research areas include bioinformatics, AI, and security
    - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/research
  - Research centers: https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/research/centers
  - Summer research program for undergraduates
    - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/research/undergraduate-research/SRP
  - Other research programs
    - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/research/undergraduate-research
  - Student orgs
    - https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/student-life/student-organizations
- Georgia Tech
  - College of Computing, School of Computer Science
    - https://www.cc.gatech.edu/facts-and-rankings
    - 4,514 undergraduate students CoC
    - 50+ college-affiliated research centers, labs & groups
    - Highly ranked undergrad programs:
      - Cybersecurity, software engineering, game dev, AI top 5
  - Klaus Advanced Computing Building
    - https://scs.gatech.edu/building-facilities

Threads curriculum

- - - https://www.cc.gatech.edu/prospective-undergraduate-students
    - Choose Comp sci, comp engineering, or computational media
  - Student orgs https://www.cc.gatech.edu/student-organizations
  - College of Computing Career fair
    - https://www.cc.gatech.edu/content/career-fairs-0
  - Entrepreneurship highlights: startup challenge, Create-X, series on entrepreneurship, Venture Lab, etc
    - https://www.cc.gatech.edu/entrepreneurship-gt-computing
  - Institutes and Centers
    - https://scs.gatech.edu/institutes-centers
    - Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines
    - Algorithms and Randomness Center
  - UROC/UROP research program
    - https://www.cc.gatech.edu/undergraduate-research
  - “Techlanta” https://scs.gatech.edu/about-atlanta
- Penn State
  - School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within College of Engineering
    - Comp Sci, Comp Eng, and Data Sci
  - Undergrad research: https://www.eecs.psu.edu/students/undergraduate/Research-Opportunities.aspx
  - Career office
    - https://career.engr.psu.edu/?_gl=1*kzhvcp*_gcl_au*MTc2NDAyNDk0NC4xNzM5OTA2ODQ2*_ga*MTk1NzQ0NDM5NC4xNzM5OTA2ODM3*_ga_P4WQEC6B2H*MTczOTkwNjg0Ni4xLjEuMTczOTkwNzM3NC4yOS4wLjA.
    - Affiliates: Lockheed Martin
  - Students orgs: 50 within engineering
    - https://www.eecs.psu.edu/students/undergraduate/Organizations.aspx

The Learning Factory makerspace

- - - https://lf.psu.edu/students/
    - New in 2023
    - Facilities for intro engineering through capstone projects
    - Capstone design projects, sponsored by real-world client
  - Centers and labs: https://www.eecs.psu.edu/research/facilities/index.aspx
  - Stats
    - 1550 undergrads (upperclassmen only)
    - Comp sci undergrad ranking 24
    - 32mil research expenditures
- CU Boulder
  - College of Engineering and Applied Science
  - Specializations include:
    - Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning; Computational Biology & Bioinformatics; Human-Centered Computing; Numerical & Scientific Computing; Programming Languages; Robotics; Software Engineering; Systems, Networks and Security; Theory of Computing
    - Computational bio minor https://www.colorado.edu/biofrontiers/cbiominor
  - Stats
    - https://www.colorado.edu/cs/academics/undergraduate-programs