Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. Winston Ewert and Dr. James Barham

Published: Nov 5, 2021
Updated: Nov 24, 2023

The best computer science liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best computer science degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding computer science faculty.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Computer Science Programs

Swarthmore College
Harvey Mudd College
Amherst College
Pomona College
Wesleyan University
United States Military Academy
United States Air Force Academy
Reed College
Wellesley College
Williams College

Wesleyan University
Amherst College
United States Military Academy
Oberlin College
Williams College
Swarthmore College
Wellesley College
Vassar College
Barnard College
United States Naval Academy

San Francisco State University 94%
University of Portland 93%
Manhattan College 82%
DigiPen Institute of Technology 66%
Oberlin College 35%
Reed College 31%
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 30%
Vassar College 19%
Davidson College 17%
Colorado College 16%

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 20 to 1
San Francisco State University 19 to 1
Manhattan College 11 to 1
Colorado College 10 to 1
DigiPen Institute of Technology 10 to 1
Barnard College 10 to 1
Bowdoin College 9 to 1
Reed College 9 to 1
University of Portland 9 to 1
Colgate University 9 to 1

Colorado College $65,028
Vassar College $64,800
Reed College $64,760
Wesleyan University $64,322
Colgate University $64,290
Amherst College $64,100
Haverford College $63,628
Harvey Mudd College $62,817
Barnard College $62,525
Middlebury College $62,460

Colgate University $63,904
Vassar College $63,840
Wesleyan University $63,722
Williams College $61,775
DigiPen Institute of Technology $29,740
Oberlin College $29,692
Colorado College $27,600
University of Portland $24,804
Manhattan College $21,420
Middlebury College $14,550

Manhattan College
DigiPen Institute of Technology
University of Portland
Barnard College
Haverford College
Colgate University
Vassar College
Oberlin College
Colorado College
Middlebury College

DigiPen Institute of Technology
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Manhattan College
University of Portland
Davidson College
Harvey Mudd College
Colorado College
United States Air Force Academy
Middlebury College
Colgate University

Pomona College 7%
Swarthmore College 7%
Amherst College 7%
Williams College 8%
Bowdoin College 9%
Barnard College 9%
United States Naval Academy 11%
United States Military Academy 12%
Colgate University 12%
Middlebury College 13%

Williams College 6 to 1
Amherst College 7 to 1
United States Air Force Academy 7 to 1
Pomona College 7 to 1
Wesleyan University 7 to 1
Vassar College 7 to 1
Wellesley College 7 to 1
United States Military Academy 7 to 1
Swarthmore College 8 to 1
Harvey Mudd College 8 to 1

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $5,742
San Francisco State University $5,742
DigiPen Institute of Technology $36,100
Manhattan College $48,658
University of Portland $51,812
Davidson College $57,340
Pomona College $59,238
Swarthmore College $59,328
Bowdoin College $61,528
Williams College $61,770

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
San Francisco State University $7,176
Middlebury College $14,550
Manhattan College $21,420
University of Portland $24,804
Colorado College $27,600
Oberlin College $29,692
DigiPen Institute of Technology $29,740
Williams College $61,775
Wesleyan University $63,722

Key Takeaways

Since almost every industry relies on technology to do business, skilled people who can create software are in-demand, making computer science one of the most popular undergraduate degrees.
Few people are aware that there are now several liberal arts colleges that offer computer science majors and degrees. Computer science degrees in liberal arts colleges are often overlooked due to the popularity of colleges for computer science and public universities.
Liberal arts colleges, because of their small student-to-faculty ratio and supportive environment, give students more personalized attention and offer a more comprehensive and diverse computer science degree.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Computer Science Liberal Arts College: Choosing The Best Option

Students in the best liberal arts colleges for computer science degrees enjoy the benefits of a more customized curriculum that aligns with their interests and today’s job market demands.

A computer science education aims to prepare students for a career in software, and a quality liberal arts education in computer science exposes students to diverse areas of study that can break down organizational silos.

Luckily, liberal arts colleges help students develop skills beyond their majors.

A liberal arts college prepares CS students for more than simply a successful career in the top tech companies. Computer science students will obtain academic excellence by getting a liberal arts education that prepares them to contribute to society as technology experts who understand technology’s role in addition to computer science courses.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science is an excellent starting point for a career in programming, video game design, cybersecurity, and a host of other rapidly growing fields. As a computer science major, you’ll study algorithms, data structure, operating systems, networking, and much more.

With a bachelor’s in computer science, you’ll qualify for well-paying roles such as network architect, information security analyst, or computer systems administrator.

The best schools for computer science are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of computer science concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: Computer science bachelor’s degrees are the 14th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It is much more popular among men, ranking 6th across men of all demographics. For women, it doesn’t rank among the top 25 degrees. It is the 3rd most popular degree for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders men, and 11th for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders women, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Careers

Computer science is growing in popularity among students looking to get a well-paying career after graduation because people who know how to design and modify software are extremely valuable in today’s economy. Students with undergraduate degrees in computer science can have a successful career as:

Software or Web Developer: A web developer is an expert in creating web-based programs, including websites, e-commerce platforms, and mobile applications. On the other hand, a software developer will focus on developing software for the underlying platform, network, or operating system.

Database Administrator: Database administrators ensure databases function correctly. Database administrators and architects create or organize systems for storing and protecting different types of data, like financial data and customer shipping records. Additionally, they guarantee that only authorized individuals have access to the data.

Systems analyst: An IT specialist known as a systems analyst works at a senior level inside a company to ensure that computer systems, infrastructures, and other systems are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The Best Liberal Arts and Computer Science Major Combination

Liberal arts colleges offer broader courses compared to computer science schools. Students interested in computer science should take the following liberal arts courses:

English: Students majoring in computer science know that English is the dominant language on the Internet. They will need to become fluent in reading and writing in English to utilize these resources and interact with others properly.

History: Computer science majors can better grasp how the world has evolved and how technology has influenced it by taking a history course.

Philosophy: Logical reasoning is the cornerstone of both computer science and philosophy. Philosophy employs language to logically investigate ideas and concepts, whereas computer scientists and programmers use mathematical and symbolic logic to create hardware and software products.

Psychology: Numerous areas of computer science are increasingly reliant on psychology, as the ultimate purpose of computing is to develop systems that support, improve, or compensate for human limitations. Psychology courses can help computer science students understand how the human mind works.

Sociology:As a future tech engineer, you can better grasp a society’s social, moral, and human values by knowing about sociology. This will enable you to effectively manage and interact with coworkers, clients, and the general public.

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in computer sciecne.

How do we determine the best computer sciecne research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Computer Science Degree

Career Outlook for Students with Computer Science Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Computer Science

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Starting Salary*: $65,718
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $89,679
* denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	15.41%	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	22.74%	$126,122
Database Architects	10.00%	$120,910
Software Developers	25.74%	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	31.56%	$102,130
Data Scientists	35.11%	$91,799
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	20.32%	$88,489
Computer Programmers	-11.26%	$88,133
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	5.48%	$85,390
Computer Occupations, All Other	9.72%	$79,886

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$58,606	$96,828	$146,134

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Washington	7% higher than average	$130,691
#3 Virginia	5% higher than average	$114,361
#4 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$102,822
#5 Texas	10% higher than average	$104,055
#6 Georgia	13% higher than average	$98,844
#7 Ohio	14% higher than average	$96,113
#8 New York	5% higher than average	$116,061
#9 Illinois	7% higher than average	$101,237
#10 Delaware	2% higher than average	$110,937
#11 Michigan	15% higher than average	$91,326
#12 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$102,317
#13 Alabama	13% higher than average	$91,166
#14 California	26% higher than average	$131,719
#15 Colorado	3% higher than average	$107,901
#16 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$96,478
#17 Florida	6% higher than average	$96,327
#18 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$87,783
#19 Missouri	16% higher than average	$85,687
#20 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$93,337
#21 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$95,760
#22 Utah	4% higher than average	$96,262
#23 Iowa	9% higher than average	$90,634
#24 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$112,436
#25 Maryland	18% higher than average	$116,998
#26 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$92,235
#27 Arizona	5% higher than average	$94,208
#28 Idaho	7% higher than average	$90,249
#29 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$83,217
#30 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$82,215
#31 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$78,095
#32 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$84,373
#33 Oregon	11% higher than average	$104,543
#34 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$115,589
#35 Indiana	11% higher than average	$82,998
#36 Kansas	9% higher than average	$84,936
#37 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$85,952
#38 Nevada	5% higher than average	$94,365
#39 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$87,693
#40 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$105,170
#41 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$106,437
#42 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$99,690
#43 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$81,749
#44 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$72,824
#45 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$76,358
#46 Alaska	23% higher than average	$99,389
#47 North Dakota	average	$80,516
#48 Maine	9% higher than average	$86,599
#49 Montana	3% higher than average	$75,835
#50 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$116,762
#51 Vermont	13% higher than average	$87,908
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$100,658

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$134,192
Computer and Information Research Scientists	$126,122
Database Architects	$120,910
Software Developers	$106,816
Information Security Analysts	$102,130
Data Scientists	$91,799
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$88,489
Computer Programmers	$88,133
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,390
Computer Occupations, All Other	$79,886

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Computer Science programs

The Best Computer Science Schools in Your State

Learn More About Computer Science

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Learn how to major in computer science
Interviews with World-Class Influential Computer Scientists
Find out who are the most influential computer scientists today
Learn about computer science from our expert interviews with world-class influential computer scientists

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2024

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Computer Science Programs

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Computer Science Liberal Arts College: Choosing The Best Option

Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree Careers

The Best Liberal Arts and Computer Science Major Combination

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Computer Science Degree

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Swarthmore College

Most Influential Alumni

Swarthmore College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Harvey Mudd College

Most Influential Alumni

Harvey Mudd College Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Amherst College

Most Influential Alumni

Amherst College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Pomona College

Most Influential Alumni

Pomona College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Wesleyan University

Most Influential Alumni

Wesleyan University Computer Science Majors:

Most Influential Alumni

West Point Computer Science Major Threads:

Most Influential Alumni

USAFA Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Reed College

Most Influential Alumni

Reed College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Wellesley College

Most Influential Alumni

Wellesley College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Williams College

Most Influential Alumni

Williams College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Davidson College

Most Influential Alumni

Davidson College Computer Science Major:

Most Influential Alumni

USNA Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Most Influential Alumni

Cal Poly Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Bowdoin College

Most Influential Alumni

Bowdoin College Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at San Francisco State University

Most Influential Alumni

SFSU Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Middlebury College

Most Influential Alumni

Middlebury College Computer Science Major Tracks:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Colorado College

Most Influential Alumni

Colorado College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Oberlin College

Most Influential Alumni

Oberlin College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Vassar College

Most Influential Alumni

Vassar College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Colgate University

Most Influential Alumni

Colgate College Computer Science Major:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Haverford College

Most Influential Alumni

Haverford College Computer Science Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Barnard College

Most Influential Alumni

Barnard College Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at University of Portland

Most Influential Alumni

University of Portland Computer Science Major Specializations:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at DigiPen Institute of Technology

DigiPen Institute of Technology Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Computer Science degree at Manhattan College

Most Influential Alumni

Manhattan College Computer Science Majors:

Career Outlook for Students with Computer Science Degree