The United States of America has dominated the global education standards being the leading study abroad destination for international students. Students from various parts of the globe decide to take up a career in the United States of America after completion of their high school degree. Bachelor’s in computer science in the USA is one of the most promising and popular programs for high school graduates. The diversity and the recognition of the American education system are top-notch that attract international students to the country.
The United States of America is home to some of the top-ranked universities for bachelors in computer science. The country hosts more than a million students every year. In fact, even during the recent pandemic, more than 55,000 Indian students have been offered student visas, as per the media report.
Let us look at what accounts for the excellence in getting a degree in bachelor’s in computer science in the USA.
Why study bachelor’s in computer science in the USA
USA is home to the top seven universities out of globally ranked top ten universities according to the QS world ranking 2021. The reputed universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Stanford University, and the University of Illinois offer a valuable degree that is accepted by global employers.
The United States of America does not require any prior work experience. The admission requirement is focused on the entrance examination, English language proficiency test scores, past academic records, and funding evidence.
United States of America is home to global tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, SAP, Apple, Facebook, and Adobe. Computer science graduates can explore the growing job market and build a lucrative career with the top brands globally. These global brands hire fresh computer science graduate every year from the top leading American universities.
The education system in the US holds the first rank globally. It is very flexible, as computer science students can choose their specialization after studying all the required, optional subjects during the course. This way, the computer science students can find their area of interest so that they do not regret later choosing the wrong specialization.
There are remarkable partial and full funding scholarship programs available for international students. The scholarship programs are given to students based on merit and need. Full funding scholarships offer a 100% fee waiver opportunity along with living costs and stipend as well.
The size of the US market in terms of revenue from computer science and technology is an astounding $52.9bn in 2021.
The USA universities pay complete attention to the safety of international students. Despite what you have heard or not, the US is a safe country with negligible chances of crime.
The United States of America holds a prestigious position in terms of scope for research and development. The education curriculum for computer science graduates is designed with research and methodology kept in priority. The students can join live projects, research seminars, assist research assistants and take part in internships.
Computer science has one of the demanding job prospects in the US job market.
The US is a melting pot of different cultures, races, and ethnicities. Nowadays, international students with multicultural backgrounds are always preferred by global employers.
In the USA, a student with an F1 visa is allowed to get a visa extension for another financial year after the completion of the bachelor’s in computer science. Students during their Optional Practical Training are eligible for a one-year stay-back and work permit in the US.
More than approximately 1.1 million international students have taken admission in the academic year 2020-2021 in computer science according to the QS rankings 2021.
Top universities for bachelor’s in computer science in the USA
According to the QS World University Rankings, the USA is home to 7 universities out of the top 10 globally ranked universities. For a bachelor’s in computer science, the leading universities are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, Stanford University, and the University of Illinois.
University Name
Course Offered (3-4 years)
Course Fee ( Total bachelor’s degree fee structure)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 166,350 (INR 1,23,74,194)
Columbia University
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 247,400 (INR 1,84,03,220)
New York University
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 222,044 (INR 1,65,17,076)
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 145, 672 (INR 1,08,36,030)
Harvard University
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 190,920 (INR 1,42,01,870)
University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 214,890 (INR 1,59,84,915)
University of Illinois
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 190,391 (INR1,41,62,520)
Stanford University
Bachelor’s in Computer Science
USD 281,904 (2,09,69,852)
Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
Eligibility for bachelor’s in computer science
A recognized 10+2 degree from a reputed board of study. Students need to have 12 years of education without any study gaps to pursue a Bachelor of Computer Science in the USA. It is compulsory to have computer science and mathematics as compulsory subjects of study in class 12th.
English language test proficiency is compulsory to get admission to the leading universities in the USA. English fluency is mandatory. To prove the candidate’s English language proficiency and skills, the universities accept IELTS and TOEFL test scores. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.5, and for TOEFL, it is 85-90.
Students need to take entrance examinations like the ACT and SAT to get admission in bachelor’s in computer science in the USA. These are common aptitude tests that measure the readiness among students to attend university for undergraduate courses.
Documentation is an important admission eligibility prerequisite for international students. The documentation includes academic transcripts, medical reports, financial evidence, application fee receipt, application form, certificate, work experience record, letter of recommendation, statement of purpose, test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, ACT, SAT, valid passport, and visa.
Statement of purpose is important for meeting the admission criteria. It is a unique formal document where the students need to state their reasons and purpose behind choosing the USA, particular universities, program, and their career goals and achievements. They also need to state their intention to return back to their home country for family property and job opportunities.
Minimum two letters of recommendation are important to get admission. It should be back from the faculties of past educational institutions that have seen the students’ progress and academic closely.
Work experience, if any. Work experience is generally not needed for undergraduate subjects, but there are universities that pay attention to some relevant work experience or internships.
Funding support is important. To be eligible for admission, students need to show enough funding evidence to prove their financial stability to manage living costs and study costs during the 3-4 years of the program.
Documentation for admission in bachelor’s in computer science in the USA
Copy of valid passport
English language proficiency test scorecards of IELTS and TOEFL examination
ACT/SAT/LSAT test scorecards for undergraduate students taking admission in bachelor’s in computer science.
A complete list of all the academic transcripts for the previous years of study. It can include all the courses done by the student full-time, part-time, distance, and online mode.
Minimum two to three letters of recommendation from the faculty members of education institutions like colleges and universities of study
An updated copy of resume
Financial proof. Bank statement and financial liquidity proof and statement need to be submitted.
Application acknowledgment slip and receipt
Statement of purpose
Passport size photographs
Essay only if required by the university in the United States of America
Certificates of extracurricular activities
Intent of return
Fees for a bachelor’s degree in computer science in the USA
The average tuition cost for a bachelor’s in computer science in the USA is between 9 lakhs to 53.9 lakh. There are private and public universities in the USA for studying computer science. Public universities are very affordable. The fee waiving scholarship programs offer 100% funding, making it an affordable choice for international students.
How to apply?
The timeline for intakes in American universities is unique. Various intakes happen during the fall, winter, and summer seasons. Get familiarized with the application and financial aid deadlines by visiting the official website of the preferred universities.
Research about the all top leading universities in the United States of America that offer bachelors in the computer science program. Depending upon the career opportunity and rank, choose a couple of universities as the competition will be really high.
Apply online by visiting the official website of the preferred educational institution. Fill up the application form, submit the documents and pay the application fee.
The application fee needs to be paid through the registered and accepted mode of payment.
Keep the application fee receipt and acknowledgment slip
A bachelor’s in computer science from American universities is recognized internationally. With a bachelor’s in computer science from American universities, candidates can get an average salary of around 88,000 USD (INR 65,46,012) annually. Various career opportunities like software engineer, computer system analyst, application manager, programmers, network architects, database administrator, security systems, full-stack developer, and data analyst are always open in the US job market. Getting a degree from the US in computer science is prestigious and given value by global employers.
Scholarship available in the USA for computer science students
OGE Administered Scholarship
Microsoft Scholarship Program
Hubert Humphrey Program
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Generation Google Scholarship
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Global Study Awards
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarships
Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships
Illinois State University scholarship
Bachelor’s in computer sciences salary in the USA
Job position
Salary (annually)
Software Developer
$80,500 (INR 59,88,113)
Information Technology Specialist
$64,200 (INR 47,75,613)
Application Support Analyst
$69,000 (INR 51,32,668)
Web Developer
$58,000 (INR 43,14,417)
Software Architect
$116,000 (INR 86,28,834)
Programmer Analyst
$74,800 (INR 55,64,110)
Network Engineer, IT
$83,900 (INR 62,41,027)
Network Administrator, IT
$59,000 (INR 43,88,803)
Python Developer:
$69,000 (INR 51,32,668)
Database Administrator (DBA)
$85,100 (INR 63,30,291)
Program Manager, IT
$111,000 (INR 82,56,901)
Java developer:
$81,000 (INR 60,25,306)
Business Analyst, IT
$81,500 (INR 60,62,500)
Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
Jobs for bachelor’s in computer science in the USA
Big Data Analyst
Software Engineer
Machine Learning Specialist
Data Scientist
Data Analyst
Blockchain Developer
Application developer
Full-Stack Developer
IT consultant
Network Architects
Cyber security
Software Architect
Software Developer
IT consultant
UNIX System Administrator
Program manager
Security Engineer
PHP developer
DevOps Engineer
Computer Scientist
IT Help Desk
Mobile Application Developer
Assistant professor
Software Development Engineer
Conclusion
Studying in the USA is an expensive thing. However, it is a good return on investment as the career opportunities are lucrative after completion of the course. The USA is one of the strongest and powerful economies with a highly lucrative and developed job market. Computer science graduates are highly in demand. Get in touch with the experts from upGrad Abroad to study in USA.
How can you study bachelor’s in computer science in the USA?
International students can study for a bachelor’s in computer science from American universities after completion of 10+2. Students need to complete 12 years of study without any study gaps with mathematics and computer science as compulsory subjects. It is compulsory to take IELTS and TOEFL tests to get admission to American universities. International students can apply online by visiting the official website of the respective university.
Why do you want to study computer science in the USA?
Computer science courses demand in the USA is growing at more than 24% annually. The US is the hub for computer science students. According to the QS world ranking, out of the global top 10 universities for computer science, seven of them are US-based. The US universities offer valuable and prestigious scope to computer science graduates. It is home to tech giants like Microsoft, Google, SAP, Apple, Facebook, Adobe, and Amazon.
Why is computer science the future?
Can a world exist without computers? The answer is ‘No.’ In modern times, every technology is computerized. With a huge scope in information and digital technology, a career in computer science is one of the most popular options. Computer science is the future, and building a career adds value globally. It produces some of the highest-paying jobs in the market.
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