Best In-Person Master’s in Computer Science for 2024
As society becomes more and more reliant on technology, the need for computer science experts is only growing. Obtaining a master’s degree is a tried and true way to gain the necessary hard and soft skills in the space—encompassing the foundations as well as specialized knowledge in areas like AI, security, and data. Fortune is ranking the best in-person master’s in computer science.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, ILNorthwestern University's in-person master's degree program in computer science costs around $64,650 annually in out-of-state tuition. For non-English speakers, the school requires a minimum 80 TOEFL score. The school also requires applicants to submit two letters of recommendation. The median base salary four months after graduation is around $100,000 annually.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 21% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.77 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 99% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 1883 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 99% |
2. University of Idaho
Moscow, IDThe University of Ohio's in-person master's degree program in computer science costs around $14,600 annually in out-of-state tuition. Standardized test scores are optional but are considered in the application process. The deadline to apply is July 30.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 43% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.70 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 100% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 14 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 100% |
3. Marshall University
Huntington, WVMarshall University does not require applicants to submit a GRE score to qualify for admission to its in-person master’s degree program in computer science, but scores are accepted. For international students, Marshall requires a minimum score of either an 80 on TOEFL, a 6.5 on IELTS, or a 105 on Duolingo. The median base salary, four months post-graduation, is around $99,700. The deadline to apply is August 1.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 42% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.70 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 95% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 35 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 95% |
4. Colorado State University
Fort Collins, COThe in-person computer science graduate program at Colorado State University requires a minimum 580 TOEFL score for international applicants. GRE scores are optional for domestic applicants, but no minimum score is needed to apply. The school also asks for three letters of recommendation. The deadline to apply is January 1.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 34% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.60 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 83% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 421 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 92% |
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNFor Vanderbilt University's in-person computer science master's degree program, there are no standardized testing requirements for applicants. For international students, TOEFL scores are required unless the applicant has earned their B.S. from the school or lives in a country where English is the official language. Out-of-state tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $34,215.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 33% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.33 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 88% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 437 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 94% |
6. University of Washington–Bothell
Bothell, WAUniversity of Washington at Bothell's in-person master’s degree in computer science program does not require GRE or GMAT scores; if submitted, they will be reviewed. The median base salary four months after graduation is around $113,000 annually. The school prefers to see two or three letters of recommendation. The deadline to apply is May 1.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 56% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.60 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 66% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 328 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 91% |
7. Lewis University
Romeoville, ILLewis University's in-person computer science master's degree program requires no standardized test scores, but TOEFL scores are needed for international students. The school requires two letters of recommendation. The annual out-of-state tuition costs $27,885 ($845 per credit hour). Admissions are rolling.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 52% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | DNP |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 51% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 4166 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 83% |
8. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MAProspective students who are non-native English speakers applying to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute's in-person master's degree in computer science program are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores. Applicants will need to submit three letters of recommendation. It's worth noting that GRE or GMAT scores are not mandatory, but you can still submit them. The median annual salary four months post-graduation is around $97,750. Applicants should target July 1 to be processed in time for fall.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 69% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.27 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 94% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 436 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 96% |
9. Baylor University
Waco, TXBaylor University requires applicants to submit a GRE score to qualify for admission to its in-person master’s degree program in computer science. However, the school does not ask for Computer Science Subject Test scores. The annual out-of-state tuition is around $50,270. The deadline to apply for the fall 2024 matriculation is February 15.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | DNP |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | DNP |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 100% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 53 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 67% |
10. DePaul University
Chicago, ILAt DePaul University, letters of recommendation are optional for its in-person computer science master's degree. The GRE is not required, but a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT is needed for non-English speaking students. The program's annual out-of-state tuition is approximately $22,000. The deadline to apply is August 1.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 58% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.00 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 68% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 1947 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 72% |
11. Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FLNova Southeastern University does not require applicants to submit GRE scores for the in-person master's degree program in computer science. Also, applicants do not need letters of recommendation. Annual tuition for out-of-state applicants is $29,070, and admissions are rolling.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 53% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.04 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 75% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 30 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 50% |
12. University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, TXThe University of Texas at San Antonio’s in-person master’s degree program in computer science does not require the submission of GRE or GMAT scores for admission consideration. International applicants must prove English proficiency by taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test (DET). The out-of-state tuition per year is around $26,000.
Acceptance rate, 2023-24 | 94% |
Average undergraduate GPA, 2023-24 enrollees | 3.46 |
Graduation rate, 2022-23 | 89% |
Number of applicants in 2023-24 | 95 |
One-year retention rate, 2022-23 | 89% |