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

  Dreaming of a tech career in Silicon Valley? A Bachelor of Computer Science (BSc CS) in the USA is your golden ticket. With world-class universities, cutting-edge research, and unmatched job opportunities, the USA remains the top destination for aspiring computer scientists.

But with hundreds of universities to choose from, how do you pick the right one? What are the admission requirements, costs, and career prospects?

This ultimate guide covers:
✔ Top 10 universities for Computer Science in the USA (2024 rankings)
✔ Admission requirements for international students
✔ Tuition fees & scholarships
✔ Job outlook & average salaries after graduation

Let’s dive in!

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Why Study Computer Science in the USA?

Here’s why the USA is the best place for a CS degree:

• Home to tech giants (Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta)

• Highest-paying CS jobs ($100K+ starting salaries)

• 3-year OPT work visa for STEM graduates

• Cutting-edge research (AI, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity)

• Strong industry connections (Internships at FAANG companies)

Did You Know?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22% growth in CS jobs by 2030—much faster than most careers!

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Top 10 Universities for Computer Science in the USA (2024)

University	QS World Ranking (CS)	Annual Tuition (2024)	Notable Alumni
MIT	#1	$58,000	Tim Berners-Lee (Inventor of WWW)
Stanford University	#2	$57,000	Larry Page (Google Co-founder)
Carnegie Mellon University	#3	$61,000	Andy Bechtolsheim (Sun Microsystems)
UC Berkeley	#4	$44,000(in-state)\mathrm{/}$68,000 (out-of-state)	Eric Schmidt (Ex-Google CEO)
Harvard University	#5	$54,000	Bill Gates (Microsoft Founder)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	#6	$36,000(in-state)\mathrm{/}$50,000 (out-of-state)	Marc Andreessen (Netscape)
Georgia Tech	#7	$32,000(in-state)\mathrm{/}$53,000 (out-of-state)	Chris Klaus (Founder of ISS)
University of Washington	#8	$39,000(in-state)\mathrm{/}$58,000 (out-of-state)	Melinda Gates (Philanthropist)
Caltech	#9	$60,000	Linus Torvalds (Linux Creator)
University of Texas at Austin	#10	$38,000(in-state)\mathrm{/}$55,000 (out-of-state)	Michael Dell (Dell Technologies)

Note: Public universities offer lower tuition for in-state students.

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Bachelor of Computer Science: Admission Requirements

To get into a top US CS program, you typically need:

✅ High school diploma (Strong grades in Math & Science)
✅ SAT (1400+) or ACT (30+) (Test-optional at some schools)
✅ TOEFL (90+) / IELTS (6.5+) for international students
✅ Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
✅ Personal Statement / Essay (Show passion for tech!)
✅ Extracurriculars (Coding competitions, hackathons, internships)

Pro Tip: Some universities (like MIT & Stanford) prefer students with Olympiad medals or GitHub projects.

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Cost of Studying Computer Science in the USA

1. Tuition Fees (2024 Estimates)

• Ivy League (MIT, Harvard): $50K\text{–}$60K per year

• Public Universities (UC Berkeley, UIUC): $30K\text{–}$55K per year

• Community Colleges: $10K\text{–}$20K per year (transfer option to top schools)

2. Living Expenses

• High-cost cities (SF, NYC): $20K\text{–}$30K/year

• Affordable cities (Austin, Atlanta): $12K\text{–}$18K/year

3. Total 4-Year Cost Estimate

University Type	Estimated Cost (2024)
Top Private (MIT, Stanford)	$240K\text{–}$280K
Public (UC Berkeley, UIUC)	$120K\text{–}$200K
Community College + Transfer	$80K\text{–}$150K

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Scholarships for International Students

Don’t let costs stop you! Here are funding options:

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

• MIT Scholarships (Need-based aid, covers up to 100%)

• Stanford Financial Aid (50% students receive aid)

• UIUC Engineering Scholarships ($10K\text{–}$20K per year)

2. External Scholarships

• Fulbright Undergraduate Program

• Microsoft Tuition Scholarship

3. Part-Time Jobs

• On-campus jobs ($15\text{–}$25/hour)

• Internships (FAANG pays $7K\text{–}$10K/month!)

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Job Prospects & Salary After BSc CS in USA

Top Job Roles & Salaries (2024)

Job Title	Average Salary (0-2 yrs experience)	Top Employers
Software Engineer	$110,000	Google, Microsoft, Amazon
Data Scientist	$120,000	Meta, Netflix, Uber
Cybersecurity Analyst	$95,000	Palo Alto Networks, Cisco
AI/ML Engineer	$130,000	OpenAI, NVIDIA, Tesla

Post-Study Work Visa (OPT)

• 3 years work permit for STEM graduates.

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How to Apply for BSc CS in USA (2025 Intake)

1. Shortlist 8–10 universities (Dream, Target, Safe).

2. Take SAT/ACT by Dec 2024 for Fall 2025 intake.

3. Write a stellar personal statement (Show coding projects).

4. Apply via Common App (Deadlines: Nov–Jan).

5. Secure F-1 visa after admission.

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Conclusion: Is a US CS Degree Worth It?

Absolutely! A BSc in Computer Science from the USA offers:
✔ Top-tier education & research opportunities
✔ Lucrative tech careers ($100K+ starting salaries)
✔ Pathway to US work visa (3-year OPT)

Ready to apply?
🔹 Get a free profile evaluation from study abroad experts!

Read also: https://sites.google.com/view/bachelor-of-computer-science-i/