Computer Science Majors - Where are they going?

Hey, prospective CS major here - what are the popular colleges for most computer science undergrad students? Are Ivy Leagues the go-to or are there other universities with robust programs?

The popularity of a specific college among computer science (CS) students can depend on various factors, including the strength of the program, resources, research opportunities, and job placement rates. While Ivy League universities certainly have robust CS programs, there are several other universities respected globally for their computer science programs.

Top-tier Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Cornell have exceptional computer science programs, with strengths in a wide variety of sub-disciplines. However, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which are not Ivy League schools, are often considered leading institutions for studying CS owing to their rigorous curriculum, faculty expertise, and deep ties with the technology industry.

Beyond these, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are renowned for their CS programs, boasting great faculty and rigorous coursework. Additionally, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Carnegie Mellon University offer comprehensive CS programs.

In the public university system, the University of Washington and the University of Texas at Austin are often recognized for having quality programs. University of Michigan (UMich) is another excellent choice, given its strong ties with the auto industry and burgeoning tech sector in the Detroit area.

All of these universities have industry connections and offer opportunities for research, internships, and cooperative education experiences. It's also worth mentioning that these universities have different strengths within CS: for example, the University of Washington has a strong reputation in natural language processing and machine learning, while the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is well-regarded for its work in parallel computing.

Overall, there are many strong computer science programs outside the Ivy League. Consider your specific interests within CS, your career goals, location preferences, and financial situation when compiling your college list.