University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs for computer science in Washington.
What is Computer Science?
Many colleges and universities in Washington offer degrees in computer science. The major is relatively popular, especially among people who possess an interest in, and aptitude for, information and technology. Choosing to earn a degree in this subject can lead to a wide variety of engaging, innovative, and dynamic career opportunities. It’s an ideal field of study for those who plan to pursue careers in software design, networking, and information technology security.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to increase by 15% from 2021 to 2031. This is much faster than the average of all occupations and will account for many jobs openings in the nation each year. Outlook for this field is strong as a continued reliance on and increasing demand for technology is likely. Most companies and organizations rely heavily on computer and information technology professionals. This dependence is only expected to increase as more and more turn to cloud computing, which requires extensive maintenance and security services.
Generally, computer science professions create and/or utilize a wide range of technologies to achieve various goals as needed by their employers. They are often responsible for testing software, as well as finding innovative ways to address complex computing problems.
It’s somewhat difficult to identify standard responsibilities and daily tasks for this field, however. This is largely due to the fact that companies and organizations in almost every industry depend on workers with computer science expertise. In fact, those with knowledge and skills in information and technology can generally choose from a wide variety of employment opportunities in Washington. Expectations vary significantly from sector to sector, even between positions with the same titles. As a result, prospective computer science professionals should always research employment descriptions carefully before applying.
Computer science professionals may work in various settings. They may work in small offices or large research facilities, with some moving between multiple locations in order to provide services to multiple companies and organizations.
Featured Computer Science Programs
Top Ranked Campus & Online Computer Science Programs in Washington
University of Washington
Score: 88.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,643
- Out-of-State:$41,997
- Net Price: $10,603
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 52,319
- Undergrad Students: 36,213
- Graduate Students: 16,106
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Washington-Bothell
Score: 77.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,559
- Out-of-State:$41,913
- Net Price: $9,357
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 5,735
- Undergrad Students: 5,192
- Graduate Students: 543
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Whitman College
Score: 75.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $61,492
- Out-of-State:$61,492
- Net Price: $39,935
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Total Enrollment: 1,493
- Undergrad Students: 1,493
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Gonzaga University
Score: 75.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $53,500
- Out-of-State:$53,500
- Net Price: $38,727
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 7,253
- Undergrad Students: 5,084
- Graduate Students: 2,169
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Pacific Lutheran University
Score: 73.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,964
- Out-of-State:$50,964
- Net Price: $24,825
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 2,633
- Undergrad Students: 2,301
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Washington State University
Score: 73.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,997
- Out-of-State:$29,073
- Net Price: $17,911
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 27,539
- Undergrad Students: 22,612
- Graduate Students: 4,927
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Digipen Institute of Technology
Score: 72.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,400
- Out-of-State:$37,400
- Net Price: $38,319
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,124
- Undergrad Students: 1,067
- Graduate Students: 57
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Seattle University
Score: 71.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $54,285
- Out-of-State:$54,285
- Net Price: $35,412
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 7,121
- Undergrad Students: 4,046
- Graduate Students: 3,075
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
University of Washington-Tacoma
Score: 71.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,817
- Out-of-State:$42,171
- Net Price: $10,680
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 4,794
- Undergrad Students: 4,083
- Graduate Students: 711
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Western Washington University
Score: 69.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,286
- Out-of-State:$27,853
- Net Price: $21,105
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 14,747
- Undergrad Students: 13,801
- Graduate Students: 946
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Puget Sound
Score: 69.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,900
- Out-of-State:$59,900
- Net Price: $41,363
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 2,023
- Undergrad Students: 1,712
- Graduate Students: 311
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Saint Martin's University
Score: 69.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $44,210
- Out-of-State:$44,210
- Net Price: $21,811
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,609
- Undergrad Students: 1,365
- Graduate Students: 244
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Seattle Pacific University
Score: 68.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,814
- Out-of-State:$38,814
- Net Price: $26,549
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,118
- Undergrad Students: 2,432
- Graduate Students: 686
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Central Washington University
Score: 68.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,192
- Out-of-State:$26,771
- Net Price: $15,864
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 9,257
- Undergrad Students: 8,743
- Graduate Students: 514
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Heritage University
Score: 66.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,920
- Out-of-State:$19,920
- Net Price: $7,841
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 853
- Undergrad Students: 796
- Graduate Students: 57
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
Walla Walla University
Score: 65.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,027
- Out-of-State:$33,027
- Net Price: $25,314
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 1,432
- Undergrad Students: 1,300
- Graduate Students: 132
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Eastern Washington University
Score: 64.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,353
- Out-of-State:$25,892
- Net Price: $12,827
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 10,910
- Undergrad Students: 7,604
- Graduate Students: 3,306
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Score: 55.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,156
- Out-of-State:$11,017
- Net Price: $9,694
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 3,150
- Undergrad Students: 3,150
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Green River College
Score: 55.16
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,580
- Out-of-State:$5,105
- Net Price: $9,797
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 6,252
- Undergrad Students: 6,252
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Bellevue College
Score: 53.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,305
- Out-of-State:$10,183
- Net Price: $11,404
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 10,617
- Undergrad Students: 10,617
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
North Seattle College
Score: 51.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,058
- Out-of-State:$5,547
- Net Price: $10,047
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 4,675
- Undergrad Students: 4,675
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Everett Community College
Score: 48.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,301
- Out-of-State:$10,180
- Net Price: $11,271
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 6,054
- Undergrad Students: 6,054
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,400
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Columbia Basin College
Score: 48.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,194
- Out-of-State:$8,239
- Net Price: $11,421
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 6,192
- Undergrad Students: 6,192
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Tacoma Community College
Score: 44.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,920
- Out-of-State:$11,030
- Net Price: $7,789
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 5,502
- Undergrad Students: 5,502
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,900
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
City University of Seattle
Score: 40.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,232,024
- Out-of-State:$20,232,024
- Net Price: N/A
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 20%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- Total Enrollment: 2,095
- Undergrad Students: 1,274
- Graduate Students: 821
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
