Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 50
- Schools
- $64,283
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,578
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,782
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $37,439 to $114,862, a 3.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
Bucks County Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $47,324 in median earnings against $6,389 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
Westmoreland County Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,167 a year in net price.
-
University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, versus a 59% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
University of Pennsylvania carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.14× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Westmoreland County Community College costs $5,167 a year and Villanova University costs $43,756. Yet their graduates earn $37,439 and $100,423, nowhere near the $38,589 price gap.
- On value, Bucks County Community College beats Carnegie Mellon University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Pennsylvania finishes 97% of students while Community College of Beaver County finishes 17%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Bucks County Community College and University of Pennsylvania. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $62K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carnegie Mellon University #1 overall | $114,862 ▲ +79% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 87 |
| 2 University of Pennsylvania #2 overall | $111,371 ▲ +73% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 85 |
| 3 Swarthmore College #3 overall | $80,257 ▲ +25% vs avg | $23,149 | 93% | 83 |
| $79,966 ▲ +24% vs avg | $25,314 | 90% | 82 | |
| $105,584 ▲ +64% vs avg | $36,931 | 89% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,283 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $22,578.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bucks County Community College — Net Price: $6,389 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carnegie Mellon University — Median alumni earnings: $114,862
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$62,152
Median earnings (10yr)
67%
Median graduation rate
$23,045
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $62,152 ten years after enrollment, or about $14,152 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 67%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $23,045 a year with about $25,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 29% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $62,152 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Pennsylvania lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 73% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Swarthmore College lands at #3 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Haverford College lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Lehigh University lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 64% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Lafayette College lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Bryn Mawr College lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Franklin and Marshall College lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $76,124 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,425 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Villanova University lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 56% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Bucknell University lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Muhlenberg College lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $69,107 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,905 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Gettysburg College lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $71,517 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,490 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Dickinson College lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $70,204 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,607 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Immaculata University lands at #14 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $75,701 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,258 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Washington & Jefferson College lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,918 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,002 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Holy Family University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $62,235 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,143 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Reading Area Community College lands at #17 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,082 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Bucks County Community College lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,324 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,389 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,775 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,331 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Allegheny College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $62,069 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,940 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Johnson College lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,194 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,954 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
La Roche University lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,341 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,794 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Ursinus College lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,721 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,536 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
East Stroudsburg, PA · 92% accepted · $18,134 net
Why it ranks #24
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $56,148 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Community College of Philadelphia lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,852 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,911 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Juniata College lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $56,918 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,988 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Temple University lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $63,727 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,198 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Moravian University lands at #28 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,860 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,670 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
La Salle University lands at #29 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $67,416 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,409 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College lands at #30 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,752 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Seton Hill University lands at #31 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $51,748 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,204 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Susquehanna University lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $61,723 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,819 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Center Valley, PA · 97% accepted · $18,220 net
Why it ranks #33
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley lands at #33 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,220 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Manor College lands at #34 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $46,825 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,078 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Dallas, PA · 97% accepted · $16,448 net
Why it ranks #35
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre lands at #35 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,448 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Westmoreland County Community College lands at #36 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,439 a decade after enrolling, 42% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,167 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Widener University lands at #37 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $70,920 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,759 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Montgomery County Community College lands at #38 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,108 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,124 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Lehigh Carbon Community College lands at #39 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,436 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Delaware County Community College lands at #40 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,576 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Gannon University lands at #41 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,845 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,553 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Abington, PA · 97% accepted · $18,071 net
Why it ranks #42
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington lands at #42 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,071 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Messiah University lands at #43 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,064 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,502 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
McKeesport, PA · 96% accepted · $15,521 net
Why it ranks #44
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny lands at #44 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,521 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
DeSales University lands at #45 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $61,295 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,643 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Arcadia University lands at #46 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,466 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Lincoln University lands at #47 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Albright College lands at #48 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $58,700 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,024 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Middletown, PA · 98% accepted · $23,330 net
Why it ranks #49
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg lands at #49 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,330 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Community College of Beaver County lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,090 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,937 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →When considering computer science programs in Pennsylvania, students are faced with a range of options, each offering unique benefits. The schools on this list have demonstrated strong outcomes in areas such as graduation rates and post-graduation earnings, making them worthy of attention. For instance, graduates from these programs can expect to earn an average salary of around $65,062.
What sets the best schools apart in this field are their outcomes: graduation rates, average earnings, student debt, and the ability to foster upward mobility. This means that while some institutions may have higher tuition, they also lead to higher salaries and lower debt levels for graduates. As you examine the list below, keep these important metrics in mind to find the right fit for your academic and financial goals.
Take the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, for example. Both schools boast impressive graduation rates, with UPenn at 97% and CMU at 93%. However, CMU graduates see higher average earnings at $114,862 compared to UPenn's $111,371. This contrast highlights the trade-offs between cost, potential earnings, and the overall value of the programs offered.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 45 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Temple University leads the group at 3.3%, with Community College of Philadelphia (2.8%) and La Roche University (2.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Community College of Philadelphia leads at 24.1%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 30.4% across this list. Lafayette College posts the highest success rate at 58.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.62 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Pennsylvania reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
In comparing schools, one notable pattern emerges: Carnegie Mellon University outperforms others like Haverford College in key metrics despite a higher net price of $31,944. CMU graduates earn an average of $114,862, while Haverford graduates earn $79,966, which illustrates the correlation between program strength and financial outcomes.
As you sift through these options, consider what matters most to you. Reflect on your priorities such as location, specific program strengths, campus culture, and how each factor relates to your financial situation. This will guide you in making an informed decision rather than relying solely on rankings.
Ultimately, the choice of college shapes not just your education, but your future career and financial stability. With the right program, one family may see their child graduate with a manageable debt load, leading to a confident and stable professional life. Each decision here can significantly impact your journey ahead.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $114,862 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Carnegie Mellon University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $114,862 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,283 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Bucks County Community College leads: graduates earn a median $47,324 against net price of about $6,389 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 59% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $22,578 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Westmoreland County Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,167. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
