What are the best colleges for programming?

I'm interested in studying programming and want to attend a college known for its strong computer science department. Could someone recommend the top schools in this field? I'm looking for options in the U.S. that have a good reputation.

Sure, I can certainly help with that. Here are some U.S. universities known for their robust computer science programs, particularly in programming:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT consistently ranks as one of the top computer science programs in the world. With its cutting-edge research opportunities and esteemed faculty, MIT certainly offers an in-depth, high quality programming education.

2. Stanford University: Stanford's Computer Science program is one of the oldest in the country. It has a long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and systems programming.

3. University of California--Berkeley (UC Berkeley): UC Berkeley's program is considered one of the best. They have incredibly strong faculty and a long history of groundbreaking research.

4. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): CMU is very highly regarded, particularly for its focus on practical, applied learning. Here, programming isn't confined to textbooks but is brought to life through practical projects.

5. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign (UIUC): This school offers a strong computer science program known for its research and innovative curriculum that provides students with a solid foundation in programming.

These are only a few of the top schools for studying programming in the U.S., there are many others with excellent computer science departments and strong programming curriculum. Also, whilst it's great to aim for these top institutions, remember to also consider other factors such as financials, location, size, and culture of these institutions to ensure they're a great fit for you.