Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Top Universities, Requirements, Fees & Salary

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Top Universities, Requirements, Fees & Salary

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Highlights:

  • Bachelor in Computer Science in the USA is a 4-year course covering topics like robotics, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
  • The average first-year cost of pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Science in USA is estimated at Rs. 35.06 lakhs.
  • Some top-ranking US universities for Computer Science include MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley.
  • You can apply for the F1 student visa for your Bachelor of Computer Science in US, which allows for post-graduation work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
  • You can earn an annual salary between USD 106,000 and 109,000 as a computer science graduate in the US.

A Bachelor of Computer Science in USA, also offered as BSc or BTech in CS in US, is the most sought-after engineering program provided by more than 500 colleges. To get admission to BTech in Computer Science in USA, you need a high school diploma or equivalent with a strong GPA (around 3.4/4 or 89%) in math and science subjects. The graduates of bachelors of Computer Science may expect an annual salary between USD 50,000 to 72,165 (INR 41 lakhs to 60 lakhs). Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are among the major recruiters of computer science graduates in the USA. The employment rate for CS graduates is expected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030 as per the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics


Top Universities for Bachelor of Computer Science in USA

US universities are at the forefront of computer science education, consistently ranking among the best in the world. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University hold the top three spots in the QS World University Rankings for Computer Science & Information Systems.

QS World University (Computer Science & Information Systems) Rankings University Program Deadlines Annual Tuition Fees (USD)
#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology BSc Computer Science December 15, 2024 57,590
#8 Harvard University BA Computer Science December 15, 2024 54,269
#5 Stanford University BS Computer Science November 1, 2024 61,731
#3 University of California Berkeley B.S Electrical Engineering and Computer Science December 15, 2024 26,358
#17 Cornell University B.S. Computer Science December 15, 2024 65,204
#33 University of Michigan B.S Computer Engineering October 1, 2024 55,100
#2 Carnegie Mellon University BSc Computer Science November 1, 2024 55,800
#62 University of California San Diego BS Computer Science December 20, 2024 24,320
#14 University of Washington Seattle B.Sc Computer Science April 1, 2024 41,997
#64 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign BSc Computer Science November 1, 2024 44,664
#97 Georgia Institute of Technology B.S. Computer Science November 15, 2024 48,261
#169 University of Maryland College Park B.S. Computer Engineering December 15, 2024 36,683
#13 Princeton University B.S. Computer Science November 1, 2024 66,356

There are several advantages to choosing the USA as a study abroad destination for bachelors in computer science, such as easy access to numerous colleges, a wide range of programme alternatives, great employment prospects, and competitive incomes.

Check Out: US University Application Deadlines 2024-25

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA Specializations

The bachelor's degree in computer science in USA normally lasts four years and includes foundational classes including software development, programming, and algorithms. Students can specialize in courses like Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Artificial Intelligence + Decision-Making through their elective.

  • Foundational courses in computer science, such as Python programming, algorithms, and software development, must be completed by students.
  • Mathematics for computer science, computer systems engineering, and low-level programming are covered in the additional curriculum.
  • Statistics and probability are essential subjects covered in the curriculum.
  • With options for many courses and specializations like artificial intelligence, data science, or electrical engineering, elective subjects allow students to customize their education.

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA Admission Requirements

Admission to Bachelor of Computer Science in USA happens in different intakes like fall, winter and summer. Some universities even offer rolling admissions throughout the year for computer science programs.

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelors of Computer Science in US

Some of the common criteria for a bachelor's degree in computer science in USA is given below:

  • 10+2 from an accredited board with a background in maths and science.
  • A GPA of 3.4 out of 4.0 (89%) is recommended
  • English Proficiency Test Score:
    • TOEFL iBT - 85-90
    • IELTS - 6.5
  • Statement of Purpose/Essay
  • 2-3 letters of Recommendation

Check Out: Documents Required to Study in USA

Specific Admission Requirements for Bachelor of Computer Science in USA

The specific admission requirements of the top universities for Bachelor of Computer Science in US are as follows –  

University TOEFL iBT IELTS
Stanford University 90 7.0
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 100 7.5
Carnegie Mellon University 90 6.5
University of California Berkeley 100 6.5
University of Washington Seattle 92 7.0
Harvard University 90 7.0
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 89 6.5
Georgia Institute of Technology 89 6.5
Cornell University 100 7.5
University of Maryland College Park 95 7.0
University of Michigan 90 – 100 7.0
University of California, San Diego 83 7.0

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA Cost of Study

The average cost of studying Bachelor of Computer Science in US for an international student is around 67,206 USD (55.8 lakhs INR).

Tuition Fees

The annual tuition fees in the popular universities for Bachelor of Computer Science in US are as follows – 

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Fees  (INR)
Stanford University 61,731 51.5 Lakhs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 57,590 48.1 Lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University 55,800 46.5 Lakhs
University of California Berkeley 26,358 22.1 Lakhs
University of Washington Seattle 41,997 35.1 Lakhs
Harvard University 54,269 45.3 Lakhs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 44,664 37.2 Lakhs
Georgia Institute of Technology 48,261 40.3 Lakhs
Cornell University 65,204 54.4 Lakhs
University of Maryland College Park 36,683 30.6 Lakhs
University of Michigan 55,100 46.1 Lakhs
University of California San Diego 24,320 20.3 Lakhs

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA

Cost of living in the USA

A tentative cost of living in USA for international students is provided below:

Expense Type Average Annual Expense(USD) Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation 12,380 10.2 lakhs
Meals 7,010 5.82 lakhs
Transportation 1,500 1.24 lakhs
Health Insurance 3,012 2.5 lakhs
Personal Expenses 2,304 1.91 lakhs
Total 26,206 21.7 lakhs

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Scholarships

You can explore options to reduce the financial burden while pursuing a bachelor's of computer science in USA. Some of the popular scholarships in USA for international students are given below:

Scholarship Awarded by

(private/government

t/university)

Eligibility Award Value
Kummer Vanguard Scholarship Private GPA of 3.4 out of 4 (89%) | Pursuing a STEM major 1,000–3,000 USD a year for up to four years
Regents Scholarship Missouri S&T University Students with academic excellence Upto 20,000 USD
Chancellor's Scholarship Missouri S&T University High School GPA of 3.75 (92%), 13,000 USD per year
YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship Non-government Submit an essay and an introductory video minimum of 50% tuition
AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship American University, Washington, DC Students exhibiting academic excellence Includes lodging, board, tuition, and fees
Clark Merit Scholarships Clark University Academic Excellence Scholarships worth at least 10,000 to 2,500 USD

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA Jobs and Placement opportunities

In the USA, those who earn a bachelor's degree in computer science have access to a wide variety of profitable, high paying jobs in USA. The following table lists the most common job profiles in the field and their corresponding average salaries:

Profession Average Annual Salary (USD) Average Annual Salary (INR)
Data Scientist 1,23,628 1.02 crores
Network Administrator 78,080 64.9 lakhs
Web Developer 81,287 67.5 lakhs
Database Administrator 77,106 64.09 lakhs
Information Security Analyst 112,000 93.10 lakhs
Computer and Information Research Scientist 136,620 1.13 crores
IT Project Manager 99,630 82.8 lakhs
Artificial Intelligence Engineer 108,043 89.8 lakhs

Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Jobs and Placement opportunities


Bachelor of Computer Science in USA: Return on Investment

Students invest in international courses expecting to have good job opportunities post-course completion. Bachelor of Computer Science in US is the most sought after course as it provided a profitable return on investment as – 

University Total Tuition Fee (INR) Average Graduate Salary Per Year (USD)
Stanford University 61,731 2.03 lakhs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 59,750 1.18 lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University 62,260 1.61 lakhs
University of California Berkeley 12,522 1.44 lakhs
University of Washington Seattle 27,150 1.06 lakhs
Harvard University 54,269 2.56 lakhs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 43,894 1.26 lakhs
Georgia Institute of Technology 32,940 1.94 lakhs
Cornell University 65,204 1.15 lakhs
University of Maryland College Park 19,345 93,500
University of Michigan 54,720 1.16 lakhs
University of California San Diego 72,165 1.03 lakhs

The cost of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in the United States is high—average annual tuition ranges from 19,345 to 72,165 USD. Graduates can anticipate competitive average yearly incomes ranging from 78,080 to 136,620 USD in attractive occupations like Data Science, Information Security Analysis, and Artificial Intelligence Engineering. Therefore, the potential return on investment is encouraging, making bachelor of computer science in the United States an appealing course to pursue in engineering sector.


FAQs

Ques. How much does a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science typically cost in the United States?

Ans: Top institutions have different average tuition costs; the University of Maryland College Park charges 19,345 USD while the University of California San Diego charges 72,165 USD.

Ques. Are there any scholarships offered in the United States to foreign students interested in studying computer science?

Ans. A lot of awards, like the Regent's Scholarship, the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, and the Kummer Vanguard Scholarship, are designed to help foreign students with their financial needs.

Ques. What are the normal prerequisites for enrolment in an American computer science programme?

Ans: The prerequisites for admission include a 10+2 degree, a GPA between 3.4 and 4.0 (89%), passing the ACT or SAT entrance exam, and proof of English proficiency (TOEFL 85–90 or IELTS 6.5).

Ques. Which universities have the most prestigious computer science departments globally?

Ans: Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are among the top universities in the world for computer science education.

Ques. What is the average yearly compensation in the United States for computer science bachelor's degree holders?

Ans. A respectable average yearly salary, ranging from 136,620 USD for Computer and Information Research Scientists to 78,080 USD for Network Administrators, is anticipated for graduates.

Ques. How do the living expenses and tuition costs for overseas students in the United States of America compare?

Ans. A thorough overview of all the costs is given by the estimated 26,206 USD annual cost of living, which includes housing, food, travel, health insurance, and personal spending.

Ques. How long is the bachelor of computer science degree in the US?

Ans. A Bachelor of Computer Science (B.Sc. or B.Tech.) degree in the US typically takes four years to complete for full-time students. 

  • Four semesters (usually fall and spring) are completed each year, leading to graduation in four years if taking a standard course.
  • Some universities offer part-time programs that allow students to extend their studies over a longer period, typically five to six years. 

Ques. Which field in computer science is highest paid in USA?

Ans. Some of the fields within computer science that tend to command high salaries in the USA are:

  • Machine Learning Engineers: USD 150,000
  • Software Architects: USD 140,000
  • Cybersecurity Engineers: USD 120,000
  • Data Scientists: USD 130,000 

Other high-paying fields include Robotics Engineers, Blockchain Developers, and Full-Stack Developers.

Ques. What is the starting salary for BSc in computer science?

Ans. The starting salary for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science (CS) in the US range from USD 69,000 to USD 123,000 per yer.

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