how much does a phd in computer science cost

Doctorate (PhD)

Note: Students entering the PhD program prior to Spring 2020 are eligible to follow the old rules shown here , but are almost certain to prefer the current rules shown on this page.

A student pursuing the Ph.D. degree is expected to exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of a broad cross section of the computer science discipline and to contribute significant new knowledge to the discipline through the research contribution contained in the doctoral dissertation. A PhD student must complete a minimum of 90 credits of graduate study, of which at least 27 must derive from graded courses, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The PhD program is intended to be completed in about five years from entering the graduate program with a BS degree in Computer Science or a related field, or about four years if the student already has an MS degree in Computer Science or a related field. This is possible because students who begin the PhD program already in possession of a Masters may be able to count as many as four courses toward their course requirement (see section  Transfer Credits ).

To fulfill graduation requirements for the Ph.D. degree, students must satisfy the breadth requirement, adhere to an appropriate credit distribution, enroll in the graduate seminar, comply with the ethics requirement, and complete the major milestones for the degree, including the preliminary exam, research defense and final defense.

Breadth Requirements

To encourage Ph.D. graduates to exhibit sufficient breadth of computer science areas, Ph.D. students must take CS courses at the 5000 and 6000 levels that span four (4) different areas. Transfer courses may be used to satisfy the breadth requirement. The available courses and areas are listed  here .

Graduate Seminar Requirement; Graduate School Ethics, Inclusion, and Diversity Requirements

The Graduate School requires that all graduate students satisfy two sets of requirements: one addressing training in  Scholarly Ethics and Integrity , and one addressing  Inclusion and Diversity . The CS Department also requires students to take a minimum number of instances of CS5944 Graduate Seminar.

Students entering the program in Summer 2019 or after must do the following.

• Take some course that makes an explicit part of its syllabus satisfaction of all aspects of both sets of Graduate School requirements (ethics training, and inclusion and diversity training). Within CS, starting with Fall 2019, both CS5014 Research Methods and CS5024 Ethics and Professionalism in Computer Science will include material to satisfy both requirements. CS students may seek approval to satisfy the requirement with another course whose syllabus explicitly addresses both Graduate School requirements.
• Take CS5944 Graduate Seminar twice.

Students entering the program prior to Summer 2019 may satisfy the requirements by using the rules listed above, or they may use the following rules. (Please note that if you want to use the rules above, you must have taken the appropriate course in Fall 2019 or after. Earlier instances of the courses do not cover the required training, and so cannot be used.)

• Participate in the orientation session offered by the GD. This orientation is done the week before classes start in the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• Conflict of Interest Training
• Take CS 5944 Graduate Seminar three times.
• Students will be required to submit evidence of completion of these milestones in their annual student activity report (see section  Annual Evaluation ).

Credit Distribution Requirements

Note: Each of the lines above are individual, distinct, constraints. All constraints must be satisfied. The columns are not meant to “add up”.

Additional credit hours may be taken in any category, but do not count toward degree requirements. Substitutions for degree requirements are allowed only under rare or exceptional circumstances. Requests for substitutions must be made to the GD.

All courses must be at the 5000 level or above with at most two 4000-level courses included. If a CS 4000 level course is included, it must be from the list of CS 4000 level courses approved for graduate credit. Credits from CS5894 Final Examination cannot be used to satisfy any Ph.D. credit requirements. Credits from CS5944 Graduate Seminar, CS5974 Independent Study, CS5904 Project and Report, and CS7994 Research and Dissertation cannot be used to satisfy any Ph.D. coursework credit requirements. At least two CS 6000 level courses are required and between one and three cognate courses are required. See the department website for a  list of approved cognate courses .

Advisor and Committee

All graduate students have access to a faculty advisor who can help with both academic advising (i.e., issues related to getting a degree) and career advising. PhD students, and MS students under the thesis option, should select a faculty member to act as their research and course advisor as early as possible in their academic career and definitely by the time their plan of study is due (see  Plan of Study ). The advisor must hold a Virginia Tech faculty position with either a tenured/tenure track, emeritus, collegiate faculty, or courtesy appointment in the Department of Computer Science, and hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree.

In place of a single advisor, PhD or MS Thesis students can instead choose an advisor and a co-advisor. In this case, at least one of these two must hold a Virginia Tech faculty position with either a tenured/tenure track, emeritus, collegiate faculty, or courtesy appointment in the Department of Computer Science, and hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree. The advisor chairs the student’s advisory committee.

The composition of a PhD advisory committee must be designed taking into account the following considerations:

• The committee must have at least five members (including the advisor or co-advisors).
• At least four members of the committee must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree. Any member without a PhD or equivalent terminal degree must have nationally recognized expertise in their field and have research experience.
• At least three members must hold tenured/tenure track, collegiate faculty, professor of practice (approved to serve on PhD committees) or emeritus positions in the Department of Computer Science.
• If the answer is yes, please inform your graduate coordinator to double check their status with VT.
• If the answer is no, secure a copy of the potential external member’s current CV (websites are acceptable) and forward that information to your graduate coordinator.
• Your graduate coordinator will then use that information to get the potential external member approved to serve on your committee.

A PhD advisory committee must have five members by the time that the preliminary exam is scheduled. However, we will process an initial Plan of Study with only four members of the committee identified.

The GD serves as the de-facto interim advisor for Ph.D. students who have not yet selected a research advisor or who need additional academic advising. The GD can provide signatures and other official approvals as required.

Note: The department is committed to support some of the travel expenses for an external member to visit campus and attend one of the official graduate exams of a dissertation committee. However, the budget for these situations is limited, there are travel authorizations required before the outside member travels, and other approvals. No honorarium can be paid to the visitors, only travel expenses. Consult the GC before making arrangements for travel.

Note: External members must be pre-approved to serve in university PhD committees. This is a step that the student must complete before filing the Plan of Study. The  policy on external members  is described in the  Graduate School Catalog . The form needed is available at the  Graduate School forms page .

PhD Procedural Milestones

Students seeking a PhD must successfully complete four major milestones: the Qualifying Process, the Preliminary Proposal, the Research Defense, and the Final Defense.

Qualifying Process

The PhD qualifying process is completed early in a student's doctoral studies and is the first of four milestones which must be completed successfully to earn the PhD degree. The qualifying process must be completed within 24 months of entering the Ph.D. program. Students who received an M.S. degree in Computer Science at Virginia Tech must complete this stage within 15 months of entering the Ph.D. program. Extensions to these time limits may be negotiated, but extensions are intended to apply to students who take leave from the University, or are part-time students.

It is important to keep in mind that the Ph.D. qualifier is a “process” rather than just an “exam”. It involves two components: excellence in breadth and excellence in depth. Breadth is assessed through classwork achievement. Depth is assessed through a combination of research achievement and the results of a qualifying exam (in the student’s cognizant area of specialty). A Ph.D. student must demonstrate excellence in both breadth and depth to be considered qualified. The qualifying process is completed once the student completes both components. The Breadth requirement may be completed before or after the Depth requirement, there is no necessary order to their completion.

Excellence in Breadth

This score is assessed on a binary scale (pass/fail). To pass this requirement, a student needs to take four CS courses spanning three areas, not to include Area 0 (that is, an Area 0 course may count as one of the four courses, but not one of the three areas) and receive a GPA of at least 3.5 averaged across these four courses. Only 5000-level and above CS courses eligible to be used on a CS graduate plan of study are considered. At least three 5000-level courses must be included. These courses must be graded on an A-F scale. Transferred courses are not considered.

Excellence in Depth

This score is assessed on a points system using two components: research achievement and a qualifying exam. Each component can provide up to 3 points. Out of the total possible 6 points, a student must obtain 3 points to pass the excellence in depth requirement. Note that it is possible to pass the excellence in depth requirement using only one of the two components (i.e., either research achievement or the qualifying exam).

Research achievement score: This score is assessed by the GD by soliciting input from the faculty regarding a student's research ability. In addition, the student may submit a written description of his or her research achievements. This score will then be assigned based on the individual's research record and the faculty recommendations. Guidelines for scoring:

• 3: Student has a non-trivial publication record. Traditionally, this is publication of at least one paper in a top-tier, peer-reviewed conference or journal, and typically with additional submissions or publications. While this might be for work done prior to entering our program, it is expected that some research work (Independent study, GRA, or major volunteer effort) will have been done here. Alternatively, the student has completed a MS thesis in CS at Virginia Tech, or a peer institution, and has had at least one paper published in a peer reviewed conference or journal. To gain this score, some VT CS faculty member must endorse the student, and be willing to act as PhD advisor.
• 2: Student has demonstrated research ability through satisfactory performance on an Independent Study project, a graduate research assistantship (GRA) assignment, or an equivalent volume of work on a volunteer basis. This might have been done at another university, and there might be minor publications. To gain this score, some VT CS faculty member must endorse the student, and be willing to act as PhD advisor.
• 1: Recommendations from faculty who have personal knowledge of a student's research ability, based on class projects, papers, or presentations, indicate that the student is able to do credible research.
• 0: No evidence of research achievement.

Qualifying exam score: A PhD qualifying examination committee may be formed in any area recognized by the Department. There is at most one committee per area in a given year and is constituted based on student interest (hence, due to insufficient student interest, some areas might not offer qualifying exams in some years). The examination will be either written or oral (or both), with format and procedures as the examination committee sees fit. Students are normally eligible for only one attempt at the exam.

Guidelines for assessing the qualifying exam score are as follows:

• 3: Excellent performance, beyond that normally expected or required for a PhD student.
• 2: Performance appropriate for students preparing to do PhD-level work. Prime factors for assessment include being able to distinguish good work from poor work, and explain why; being able to synthesize the body of work into an assessment of the state-of-the-art on a problem (as indicated by the collection of papers); being able to identify open problems and suggest future work.
• 1: While the student adequately understands the content of the work, the student is deficient in one or more of the factors listed for assessment under score value of 2. A score of 1 is the minimum necessary for an MS-level pass.
• 0: Student's performance is such that the committee considers the student unable to do PhD-level work in Computer Science.

Attempting or using a qualifying exam in a given area to get qualified does not “tie” a student to Ph.D. research in that area. For instance, a student might get qualified using scores from the qualifying exam in the HCI area but might opt to pursue a Ph.D. in the area of algorithms and theory. It is presumed that the student’s advisor (and advisory committee) are adequately positioned to judge the suitability of the student’s proficiency to undertake Ph.D. research in a given area and the Preliminary Proposal Exam is an opportunity to ascertain the same.

Since the Ph.D. qualifying exams are offered early in the calendar year, the GD will attempt to assign initial valuations to all who take the exam, and give feedback via email on current standing to those students. If at that point a student has six points, a letter to that effect will be issued automatically. At the end of Spring semester, the GD will attempt to update those valuations based on Spring grades, again issuing a qualification letter if the student is qualified. Aside from immediately after the exam and at the end of Spring semester, evaluation will only be conducted when initiated by the student. There are two cases where a student will initiate an evaluation. (1) If the student determines that he/she can obtain six points without taking the exam, they should contact the GD and provide appropriate documentation to support receiving the points. (2) If at some point after the Spring semester evaluation the student feels he/she has a case for six points, they can contact the GD to do an evaluation. When the qualifier case is clear cut for a given student, the GD will make an immediate determination. Cases that are not clear cut will be referred to the full committee.

As stated earlier, the PhD qualifying examination also serves as one of the two methods whereby an MS coursework-only option student may pass their MS degree final examination.

In consultation with their advisor, once a student completes the requirements for qualification, the student must submit the Request to be Qualified form, available in the  forms page  of our website.

Constituting the Qualifying Exam Committee: A PhD qualifying examination committee may be formed in any area recognized by the Department . Each year, the GD will appoint a chair for each examination committee from among the volunteers for that semester. A committee consists of three or more faculty members.

The PhD Qualifying Examination is given during a period spanning the end of Fall semester and the start of Spring semester of each year. During early Fall semester, students interested in taking the exam should discuss potential research areas with faculty members so that examination areas of mutual interest can be discovered. Examination committees must post the reading list for their exam by November 1. The exam is normally administered during January and February, with scores reported to GPC by mid February.

Each examination committee will publish a suitable reading list by November 1. It is not a requirement that the papers broadly cover the area, or be "seminal papers" in the area. A list containing papers with results spanning a wide spectrum in regards to quality and relevance is desirable to gauge the student's ability to judge quality and importance of results. The body of work should serve as a good introduction to one or more aspects of the area, but is also selected in part to serve as a vehicle for the exam. For example, a committee giving an exam in algorithms might choose one year to assign a set of papers on NP-complete problems in bioinformatics. The following year, the papers assigned by that committee might be on a completely different topic.

The exam is meant to probe the student's understanding of the content of the papers, the student's ability to synthesize the content into a meaningful understanding of the issues involved, and from there, the student's ability to determine potential "next step" paths of research (based on the papers assigned). In general, the exam is testing the student's ability to critically analyze the material, make judgments regarding the quality and relevance of the results, as well as deriving ideas for future research directions for the specific subtopic addressed in the papers.

All qualifier exams should have a written component. Students should receive feedback on their writing skills. An oral component is recommended, but optional. All exams should be graded by at least two graders, or three graders if one of the graders is the student's advisor.

All tenure track faculty are expected to participate on qualifier exam committees, consistent with the number of their PhD student advisees. Ideally, faculty will not need to serve on an exam committee more often than two years out of three. We recommend, but not require, that faculty participate on committees during the years when they have advisees taking that exam.

At the end of the examination process, the committee must arrive at a scoring in the range 0 to 3 (integer only), and report this score to the GD by the deadline. If a student takes the exam and gets zero points, then GPC might recommend at the Green Thursday review that the student leave the program, or might allow the student another chance to take the exam.

Preliminary Exam

The Preliminary Proposal Exam is the second of four milestones to be completed by a PhD student. The CS Department's Preliminary Proposal Exam serves as the University's required Preliminary Exam. The Preliminary Proposal Exam should occur as early as possible after completing the PhD Qualifying Process. Ideally students will complete the Preliminary Exam at around the end of their sixth semester in the PhD program, and roughly two years before their expected graduation. Passing the Preliminary Exam is required for Candidacy as recognized by the Graduate School.

See  Scheduling an Exam  for details on the mechanics of scheduling the prelim exam with the grad school.

The Preliminary Proposal Exam is an oral presentation and examination expected to last between one and three hours. The actual conduct, content, and scope of the Preliminary Proposal Exam are under the control of the student's advisory committee. However, the intent of the Preliminary Proposal exam is to assess the student's readiness to begin independent research on the proposed problem. In particular, it seeks to answer two questions:

• Does the work proposed appear satisfactory to qualify as completing a PhD? This means that the proposed work is not so ambitious as to be implausible for a PhD student, yet is ambitious enough to warrant granting of a PhD if completed.
• Is the student adequately prepared to do the proposed work? In particular, does the student have an adequate grasp of the current state-of-the-art in the proposed research area? This is likely to be determined in part by a literature review, which should also be useful to the student at the time of writing the dissertation.

It is expected that, to satisfy these objectives, the student will prepare a document and submit it to the committee sufficiently in advance of the exam that the committee members have adequate time to review it. This document will likely consist of (a) a literature review and discussion of relevant work, including relevant prior work by the student, and (b) a research plan describing the work to be completed and its significance. To whatever extent is reasonable, it is advisable that the document include a timeline for completion and description of any equipment, supplies, or support necessary for successful completion. This document should be thought of as a proposal (a traditional NSF proposal with a 15 page limit is a good model for the document), and not as a draft of a dissertation.

Depending on the will of the committee, the Preliminary Proposal Exam may be limited strictly to a presentation and discussion of the student's presentation and document. In addition the committee may, but certainly is not obligated to, chose to ask questions to test the student's background knowledge in the relevant areas of Computer Science. Ideally, the student and advisor will discuss and reach an agreement on the format and scope of the exam well in advance. By passing the student's research proposal, the committee is certifying that, if the student does the stated work in a satisfactory manner, it will prove adequate for a dissertation topic. Note that once the Preliminary Proposal Exam has been completed, there is no necessary requirement that the student's final dissertation adhere to the proposal. The student and committee are free to change the direction of the work as it progresses, based on mutual consent, if they deem that appropriate.

The student is considered to have failed the exam if two or more members of the examination committee give negative votes. If performance on the Preliminary Proposal Exam is unsatisfactory, one full semester must lapse (a minimum of 15 weeks) before the administration of a second examination. The Preliminary Proposal Exam cannot be attempted more than twice.

Research Defense

The Research Defense is the third of four milestones that must be completed for the PhD degree. The Research Defense has a recommended deadline of 12-18 months from completion of the Preliminary Proposal Exam, and approximately 3-6 months prior to the Final Defense.

The Research Defense will typically last about an hour. The actual conduct, content, and scope of the Research Defense are under the control of the student's advisory committee. The Research Defense should take place once the student has completed most of the work for the dissertation. It is likely that significant writing will yet remain, but no significant problems (other than perhaps mechanical data collection, routine software development, or routine usability testing) should remain to be solved.

The Research Defense is meant to be an opportunity for the committee to review the key results and verify that a satisfactory body of work appears to have been completed. The committee should understand what has been and what remains to be accomplished as part of the dissertation, and to agree within itself whether completion of the work as described by the student, or a revision as determined by the committee at the Research Defense, will result in successful completion of the dissertation.

It is expected that the student will prepare a document and submit it to the committee sufficiently in advance of the exam that the committee has sufficient time to review it. If the committee is expected to read and comment on a significant amount of material then it should be given to the committee two weeks in advance of the meeting. But such a long document is not typical. The document will likely consist of a brief review of the proposed work plan for the dissertation (possibly revised since the time of the Preliminary Exam), and a description of the student's progress towards completing the plan. Key results and their significance should be presented clearly, but briefly. The document should clearly detail what work remains to be done, and the timeframe for its completion. It is not intended that this document be a draft of the dissertation. For some committees, the document might simply be a list of accomplishments and remaining tasks. The student might also submit to the committee copies of papers published or submitted for publication. It is up to the committee to specify how much information it needs to determine if dissertation work is on track.

The Research Defense will typically be the committee's last major opportunity to review the student's progress and work prior to the Final Defense. As such, any major objections or reservations regarding the research plan and progress should be expressed at the Research Defense. Under normal circumstances the expectation is that, if the work completed at the time of the Research Defense is deemed satisfactory, and if the dissertation is completed in the manner specified at the Research Defense, then the result will be deemed satisfactory at the Final Defense.

Note that the Research Defense plays no official role within the University. The Department requires that students pass the Research Defense in a timely manner to remain in good standing. Aside from this, it is up to the student and the committee to determine the next step should a student be considered by the committee to have failed the Research Defense.

Final Defense

The last of the four stages for the PhD degree is the Final Defense. It has a recommended deadline of 3-6 months from completion of the Research Defense. During this examination the candidate makes an oral presentation of his or her research work and defends the significance and accuracy of this work in response to questions from the student's committee. The committee, in closed session, determines whether the student has successfully completed the examination.

See  Scheduling an Exam  for details on the mechanics of scheduling the final exam with the grad school.

If a student fails the final defense, he/she must wait 6 months before attempting the defense again (Graduate School stipulation). The final defense can be attempted at most twice.

As part of the Final Defense process, the student must submit the ETD.

MS Along the Way

Successful completion of an M.S. degree in computer science is not a pre-requisite to register as a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech. Upon entering the graduate program, students are classified as M.S. or Ph.D. based on their stated degree objective.

Students on a Ph.D. track can opt to obtain an M.S. during their course of study, i.e., “along the way”. They may use either the coursework or thesis option. PhD students who have completed the PhD Qualifier Process and who have a valid Plan of Study that satisfies the PhD requirements complete the requirements for the MS Coursework option by merely completing a CS5974 Independent Study course, typically on a topic related to their dissertation work, and following the instructions shown here . Note that each degree requires its own Plan of Study, so a second plan of study must be filed for the MS degree.

Virginia Tech will allow a given course to count for at most two degrees or certificates. Thus, any course that you transferred to Virginia Tech from outside may not be used toward both the MS and the PhD degree. Likewise, a course may not be used for the MS degree, the PhD degree, and also a VT certificate.

Typical Schedule

The table below shows a suggested distribution of courses and other responsibilities over the years that is typical for a student to complete a Phd. Note that this assumes the student starts in the Fall. Also of note is that some of the order of courses shown is a recommendation, not a requirement. For example, whether you take the courses for breadth early in a program of study or later is up to you.

Online Doctorate in Computer Science

Online Computer Science Ph.D.: An Overview

Top schools with online computer science ph.d. programs, jobs for computer science ph.d. holders, prerequisites for an online computer science ph.d., online coursework.

• Data visualization.
• Machine learning.
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• Advanced computer architecture.
• Information quality theory.

How long does a Ph.D. in computer science take to complete?

Cost and return on investment (roi), how much does a computer science ph.d. cost, how to estimate the return on investment (roi) of your degree, example courses.

• Artificial intelligence
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Job Outlook and Salaries for Graduates

Pay for online ph.d. in computer science degrees.

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Best Doctorates in Computer Science: Top PhD Programs, Career Paths, and Salaries

Getting a PhD in the field of computer science is the best way to influence the future of technological innovation and research. If you are interested in getting a computer science doctoral degree, then our list of the best PhDs in Computer Science will help you find the program that caters most to your goals.

A PhD in Computer Science can branch out into a wide variety of science and tech fields. Be it information assurance, computational science theory, or cyber operations, you can specialize your computer science PhD to suit your interests. In our guide, we’ve also gone into detail about the average PhD in Computer Science salary and the best computer science jobs PhD students can get.

Find your bootcamp match

What is a phd in computer science.

A PhD in Computer Science is a doctoral degree where graduate students perform research and submit original dissertations covering advanced computing systems topics. Computer science is a broad field that covers artificial intelligence, operating systems, software engineering, and data science.

Your doctoral dissertation will include a research proposal, coursework in advanced topics related to computer science, and a thesis presentation. The wide span of this field allows you to choose a PhD program that can cover topics in any high-performance computing systems area.

How to Get Into a Computer Science PhD Program: Admission Requirements

The admissions requirements to get into a computer science PhD program include submitting your official transcripts from your undergraduate or graduate programs and resume. Your previous university coursework should showcase a strong background in software development, popular programming languages , and scientific computing.

Universities also usually require the submission of your GRE score. A combined score of 1,100 is typically where you want to be when applying to PhD programs. You’ll also usually be required to submit three or more letters of recommendation and a personal essay stating your thesis or research proposal. Keep in mind that each university’s admissions requirements will vary.

PhD in Computer Science Admission Requirements

• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcript from your undergraduate degree or your graduate degree
• Prerequisite courses covering computer science academic programs
• Personal statement highlighting proposal of thesis or research topic

Computer Science PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Computer Science?

It is very hard to get into a PhD program in computer science. This is because prospective students need to meet a very competitive GPA, have an excellent academic background, and fulfill other advanced program requirements. Your chances of getting accepted into a computer science doctorate degree program will typically range between 10 to 20 percent.

In fact, less than 10 percent of computer science graduate applicants are accepted at the University of California. Similarly, Duke University reports that only around 15.7 percent of applicants were selected for its 2021 to 2022 computer science PhD program. Your acceptance relies on submitting a compelling thesis proposal statement that displays your passion and high academic competency.

How to Get Into the Best Universities

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Best PhDs in Computer Science: In Brief

Best universities for computer science phds: where to get a phd in computer science.

The best universities for computer science PhDs are Arizona State University, Boston University, Harvard University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Each of these universities will help you advance your research and eventually get you a job in artificial intelligence , software development, or computing systems. We’ve also broken down the application process and other details for each program.

According to the US News & World Report, Arizona State University ranks number one on the list of the most innovative schools and number 36 in the best undergraduate engineering programs. It was founded in 1885 and currently offers over 450 graduate programs and employs more than 340 PhD fellows. 

PhD in Computer Science 

Arizona State University offers research opportunities in the fields of artificial intelligence, cyber security, big data, or statistical modeling under the umbrella of this computer science program. In this 84-credit program, you’ll tackle your dissertation, prospectus, and oral and written exams. You’ll also take courses on computational processes, information assurance, and network architecture. 

Your PhD dissertation includes 12 credit hours of experience culmination that can be planned alongside your research and elective credits. This degree is best suited for computer scientists wanting to build a career in machine learning or an academic career. 

PhD in Computer Science Overview

• Program Length: 4 to 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: $6,007/semester, nine credits or more (in state); $1,663/hour, under 12 credits or $16,328 per semester, 12 credits or more (out of state) 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching assistantships, research assistantships
• Three letters of recommendations from former professors or employers 
• One to two-page statement of purpose that covers previous research experiences and reasoning behind your interest in one to two doctoral programs
• Optional submission of GRE scores. Preferred scores are 146 verbal, 159 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing
• Official transcripts
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or computer engineering. Applicants with a master’s degree in a relevant field are preferred 
• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA

Founded in 1839, Boston University is a top private research university with a reputable engineering and technology program. It offers over 350 graduate programs and PhDs in topics such as neurobiology, biostatistics, computer engineering, mathematical finance, and systems engineering. 

PhD in Computer Science

If you are interested in advancing in research and academia, then this PhD program is worth looking into. Its curriculum trains you to build a successful professional background in the intelligent control systems, cloud infrastructures, and cryptography fields. Candidates need to clear its qualification, dissertation, and milestone requirements to complete this degree. 

• Program Length: 5 to 6 years
• Acceptance Rate: 10%
• Tuition and Fees: $61,924/year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Computer Science Fellowship, Teaching Excellence Award, Research Excellence Award, Teaching Fellow Expectations 
• GRE scores normally mandatory, but are optional for fall 2022
• A personal statement stating your interest in the program 
• Resume 

Carnegie Mellon University is a globally recognized university with more than 14,500 students and over 109,900 alumni. The school was founded in the year 1900 and offers over 80 majors and minors. According to the US News & World Report, Carnegie Mellon University ranks number one on the best undergraduate computer science program in the country. 

This on-campus PhD program focuses on computing research, software informatics, and communication technologies. Completing this doctoral degree program will open you up to a wide range of career prospects across the data science, computing technology, and information technology research fields. 

This degree includes 24 units of advanced computing research, 72 units of graduate courses, and the dissertation process of an original research thesis. This PhD is apt for those looking to establish their career in research and academia. During this program, you’ll also serve as a teaching assistant in the computer science department twice as per the degree requirement. 

• Acceptance Rate: 5% to 10%
• Tuition and Fees: $75,272/year 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Internal funding, external funding, dependency allowance, fellowships
• GRE scores optional but encouraged
• Most recent transcript of the university attended
• One to two-page statement of purpose stating your interest in the program, research interests, PhD objective, and relevant experience
• Three letters of recommendation from previous faculty or employers   

Duke University was established in 1924 and counts among the top universities in the world. It has an undergraduate population of 6,789 and a graduate population of 9,991 students and is most recognized for its computer science, biology, public policy, and economics departments. It offers over 80 doctoral and master’s degrees covering STEM, social sciences, and humanities. 

This computer science PhD is definitely worth it for doctorate students looking to embark on an advanced computer science research path. In it, students tackle a research initiation project, preliminary exam, dissertation process, and core qualification credits. Doctoral candidates are also required to partake in the department’s teaching assistantship program. 

Its curriculum includes core courses in computation theory, artificial intelligence, algorithms, numerical analysis, and computer architecture. Graduates of the program open themselves up to numerous career opportunities across a wide range of computing systems academic and research fields. 

• Program Length: 3 to 4 years
• Acceptance Rate: 15.7%
• Tuition and Fees: $70,185/year for the first three years and $18,165/year each subsequent year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships
• Official transcripts from all attended universities 
• Statement of purpose
• GRE scores are optional for 2022 but recommended 
• No minimum GPA requirements but high GPA scores are preferred

Harvard University is a top Ivy League institution that has amassed global recognition and top rankings in many of its departments. Founded in 1636, the university is home to many excellent programs across the fields of law, medicine, economics, and computer science. It has more than 400,000 alumni and a total enrollment of 35,276 students. 

According to the US News & World Report, Harvard University ranked number one among the best global universities in 2022 . Its graduate schools offer doctorate programs in the applied sciences, biology, literature, environmental sciences, business, and healthcare fields. 

Attending a computer science PhD program at Harvard University brings high credibility and accolades to your professional candidacy. This program is offered by the university’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and provides focus opportunities across the engineering science, applied physics, computer science, and applied mathematics areas.  

Similar to most mainstream PhDs, this program requires the completion of 10 semester-long graduate courses, a dissertation topic, oral and written qualifying exams, a teaching assistantship, and a defense process. After graduating, you’ll easily qualify for some of the most prestigious research and career opportunities available.

• Program Length: 3 or more years
• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Tuition and Fees: $50,928 for the first two years and $13,240 reduced tuition for the third and fourth year
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Teaching fellowships, research assistantships, GSAS fellowships, external funding 
• Supplemental form for PhD
• Transcripts from all post-secondary education 
• Statement of purpose stating your interest in the program  

Oregon State University is a public research university founded in 1868 with over 210,000 alumni. The school is home to more than 28,607 undergraduate and 5,833 graduate students and offers over 300 academic programs as well as a robust research department. Its doctoral programs can be found in the business, agricultural science, education, engineering, or medicine departments. 

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This PhD is offered by the university’s electrical engineering and computer science department and is perfect for doctoral candidates wanting to work in IT research in the governmental or educational sectors. The program offers research opportunities in topics such as data science, cyber security, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and human-computer interaction. 

The program’s curriculum includes graduate-level courses in theoretical computer science and requires the completion of your research thesis. You’ll also be required to maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and pass all preliminary and oral exams to receive your PhD. 

• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $557/credit (in state); $1,105/credit (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate teaching assistantship, research assistantship, Outstanding Scholars Program
• Three letters of recommendation from previous professors or employers familiar with your technical skills 
• Transcripts and academic history of all attended universities 
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last two years of your undergraduate or graduate work 
• Statement of objective listing your interest in the program, career goals, research interests, and relevant experience

Syracuse University is a private institution that was established in 1870 and is most popular for its research and professional training academic programs. It has more than 40 research centers focusing on the STEM, social sciences, and humanities fields. The university has over 400 majors, minors, and advanced degrees its students can choose from. 

It had a total enrollment of 14,479 undergraduate students and 6,193 graduate students in the fall of 2020. Prospective students can pick a PhD focus from many of its applied topics, including data science, statistics, human development, and bioengineering. 

PhD in Computer and Information Science and Engineering

A PhD focused in computer and information science and engineering from Syracuse University can help you advance your career in the information technology, software engineering, or information assurance fields. This program is best suited for computing technology research buffs looking to land senior-level positions in the field. 

The program’s curriculum is an amalgamation of graduate coursework, your dissertation and research presentation, and exams. Your coursework will cover technical topics ranging from algorithms and artificial intelligence to operating systems and hardware systems. 

PhD in Computer and Information Science and Engineering Overview

• Program Length: 4 to 5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 14.28%
• Tuition and Fees: $32,110/year 
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Research assistantships, departmental teaching assistantships, university fellowships

PhD in Computer and Information Science and Engineering Admission Requirements

• Minimum GRE scores: Verbal 153, Quantitative 155, and analytical writing 4.5 
• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer and information science
• Two or more letters of recommendation from previous faculty or employers 
• Official transcripts of all attended universities 
• 500-word personal statement concerning your interest in the program

The University of Oklahoma is a public school best known for its business, journalism, and petroleum engineering programs. Founded in 1890, it currently has an undergraduate student population of 21,844 and offers over 170 academic programs and graduate degrees in a wide range of subject areas. 

The school’s doctoral topics are numerous and can be found within its business, architecture, fine arts, education, engineering, journalism, or geographics science departments. The University of Oklahoma is also incredibly well known for its athletic programs, having won many national championships.

The university’s computer science PhD has courses in machine learning, data science, computer security, visual analytics, database management, and neural networking subjects. If you’re interested in a data science, network security, artificial intelligence, or cyber security career, then this PhD is for you.

The program allows you to propose a research topic covering anything in the field of advanced computing systems and theories. During your program, you’ll undergo an annual research progress review along with general examinations until your defense. The program also requires you to submit a minimum of two publications before you complete your degree. 

• Program Length: 6 years
• Tuition and Fees: $591.90/credit (in state); $1,219.50/credit (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, research grants
• Prerequisite coursework covering computer science, data structures, and math subjects 
• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
• Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA 
• 250-word statement of purpose concerning your interest and goals in the program 
• Three letters of recommendation, with two of them preferably from previous professors

The University of Arizona was founded in 1885 and is a public research institution with over 300 major programs. The school is home to 36,503 undergraduate and 10,429 graduate students and offers PhD programs in over 150 areas of study, including information science, statistics, mechanical engineering, biomedical science, medicine, communication, and economics. 

If you want to become an applications architect or pursue a career in academia focusing on computing or business intelligence technologies, then this PhD is for you. It offers courses in computer networking, system architecture, database systems, machine learning theory, natural processing language, and computer vision. 

The program’s curriculum requires the completion of 12 units of advanced computer science research and 18 units of dissertation presentation and defense. You’ll also need to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.33 to receive your PhD. 

• Program Length: 5.5 years
• Acceptance Rate: 17.73%
• Tuition and Fees: $989.12/unit (in state); $1,918.12/unit (out of state)
• PhD Funding Opportunities: Graduate assistantships, graduate associate fund, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, graduate college fellowship
• Official transcripts from all attended universities
• Minimum of two letters of recommendation by previous faculty or employers 
• A statement of purpose stating your interest in the school and the program faculty, your career goals, preferred research areas, and research background
• Resume detailing previous research work, published papers, conference presentations, and computer science background 
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field 
• A background in operating systems, programming languages, discrete mathematics, data structures, and theory of computation 
• Minimum 3.5 undergraduate GPA and 3.7 graduate GPA 

The University of Maryland is a research-focused institution that was founded in 1856. It hosts more than 41,200 students and offers over 217 undergraduate and master’s programs. It also offers 84 doctoral programs and has an extensive research department. According to the US News & World Report, the school ranks number 20 among the top public schools in the country .

This PhD program offers research opportunities in subjects such as robotics, big data, scientific computing, machine learning, geographic information systems, and quantum computing. Doctoral students can participate in a collaborative research journey at any of the school’s research specialized institutions. The program curriculum includes graduate coursework, a research proposal, and a dissertation defense. 

• Tuition and Fees: $11,586/year (in state); $24,718/year (out of state) 2022-2023
• PhD Funding Opportunities:  Research assistantships, departmental teaching assistantships, National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships, Fulbright Fellowships
• Transcripts from all attended universities
• Writing sample and optional publications or presentations 
• Statement of purpose concerning your interests in the field and program 
• Three letters of recommendation 

Can You Get a PhD in Computer Science Online?

Yes, you can get a PhD in Computer Science online. An online doctoral degree will be more course-based instead of research-based due to the lack of laboratory facilities. Computer science is a broad field that offers doctoral opportunities across a wide range of tech topics. You can get an online PhD in information science, data science, data analytics, or information systems.

Know that online PhDs are rare across most fields, including computer science. Obtaining a non-research-focused doctoral degree won’t be as respected as a traditional computer science PhD. The online PhD programs listed below are best suited for candidates looking to advance into managerial, theoretical research, and academic positions in the technology sector.

Best Online PhD Programs in Computer Science

How long does it take to get a phd in computer science.

It takes an average of four years to get a PhD in Computer Science. However, the actual duration is entirely dependent on the candidate’s research proposal approval and defense success, and depending on your research pace, it can take up to five or six years to complete. The graduate course portion of your degree is the most straightforward and typically takes around 2.5 years to complete.

Your dissertation topic selection, research journey, publication submissions, and defense presentations will take the most amount of time, usually between three to five years. Some universities also require their PhD students to complete a minimum of two years of graduate teaching assistantship. An online PhD in Computer Science usually only takes three years to finish, as it mostly includes advanced coursework.

Is a PhD in Computer Science Hard?

Yes, a PhD in Computer Science is hard. Computer science is a complex field that incorporates an array of advanced technical topics. Your PhD will require you to submit an original research proposal on an advanced information technology subject such as data science, machine learning, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and network security topics.

Along with advanced research and a dissertation, you’ll also need to complete advanced graduate courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Other requirements often include submitting one or more publications, working in graduate teaching positions, and successfully defending your thesis topic. The combination of all of these academic requirements makes getting a PhD in Computer Science a hard process.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Computer Science?

It costs $19,314 per year to get a PhD in Computer Science, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, your total PhD tuition can vary depending on a number of factors, including the university’s ranking, the program’s timeline, and the PhD funding opportunities you’ll have available.

The NCES further categorizes the graduate program tuition according to the institution type and reports that the average fee for public institutions was $12,171 from 2018 to 2019. It also states that private for-profit institutions charged an average of $27,776, and non-profit schools charged $14,208 those same years.

How to Pay for a PhD in Computer Science: PhD Funding Options

The PhD funding options that students can use to pay for a PhD in Computer Science include graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowship opportunities. Your funding options will vary from school to school and can include both external and internal funding.

Some of the popular ways to fund your PhDs include research grants, federal work-study programs, teaching or graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, and graduate research fellowships. You can also apply for scholarships or tuition reimbursement options at your current job. Your graduate advisor and computer science faculty can help you find more funding options.

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What Is the Difference Between a Computer Science Master’s Degree and PhD?

The difference between a computer science master’s degree and a PhD is the level of each degree. A Master’s Degree in Computer Science is a typical precursor to a PhD and covers the technical field less extensively than a doctoral program. It will last around two to three years and can be fully course-based or thesis-based.

A PhD in Computer Science provides you with higher qualifications and more research and dissertation autonomy. It can last anywhere between four to six years and gives you original publication and research credibility. Both of these computer science degrees are considered graduate degrees, but a PhD provides you with a higher educational accolade.

Master’s vs PhD in Computer Science Job Outlook

The job outlook for a professional with a master’s vs PhD in Computer Science will generally coincide as most senior-level careers can be achieved with a master’s degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for computer and information research scientists is projected to grow by 22 percent between 2020 and 2030.

This job typically requires a master’s degree meaning PhD holders also qualify and can apply for it. The commonality of these job growth statistics also applies to other tech positions, including information security scientists and network architects. That being said, the specific growth rate of your job will also vary depending on your career choice.

For example, university computer science professor positions, which typically only computer science PhD holders are eligible for, have a projected growth rate of 12 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS. With computer science professionals being high in demand, most PhD in Computer Science jobs have a positive projected growth rate.

Difference in Salary for Computer Science Master’s vs PhD

The difference in salary for computer science master’s vs PhD grads can vary depending on their position and place of employment. According to PayScale, the average salary for a computer science PhD holder is $131,000 per year , which is higher than the average salary of a master’s degree graduate.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a computer science master’s graduate is $105,000 per year . The salary disparity with these degrees stems from the differences in their level of seniority, industry experience, and educational accolades.

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Why You Should Get a PhD in Computer Science

You should get a PhD in Computer Science because it is an advanced and highly reputable degree that will help you land senior technical, academic, and research roles. A PhD is a gateway to a lucrative and innovative technology career, allowing you to follow your research passion across the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, or computing theory.

Reasons for Getting a PhD in Computer Science

• Extensive and advanced research opportunities. A PhD in Computer Science covers many advanced computing science fields. You can learn specialized skills through your research opportunities and eventually work in advanced data science, artificial intelligence, neural networking, information technology, or computing theory.
• Higher salary. PhD graduates qualify for career opportunities working in senior positions as scientists, professors, managers, or heads of departments. These senior positions come with high compensation and job security.
• Rewarding education. A computer science PhD is perfect for those who are interested in contributing toward leading innovation and technology research. As a doctoral student, you can propose and conduct advanced research in the field while contributing to today’s technological growth.
• Increased job candidacy. Having a computer science PhD on your resume and portfolio will enhance your candidacy when applying to tech positions across all industries. A PhD is a highly reputable degree that demonstrates your expertise in the field and ultimately makes you a highly sought-after candidate.

Getting a PhD in Computer Science: Computer Science PhD Coursework

The graduate requirements for getting a PhD in Computer Science and most common PhD coursework are different from program to program and are heavily dependent on your specialization, but often have some commonalities. Here are some examples of courses you may take during your PhD.

System Architecture

A systems architecture course in a computer science PhD covers advanced operating systems, communication technologies, network security, and computer architecture. You’ll also take classes covering topics like network systems and software engineering.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing field that is integral to the field of computer science and data science. Your program will cover the latest artificial intelligence technologies and research areas such as deep learning, interactive systems, neural networking, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Information Assurance

Network security, information assurance, and cyber security are also part of an extensive education coverage of the computer science field. This course will cover vital knowledge concerning information security, system integrity, data privacy, and system authentication.

Data science courses in a computer science PhD program cover topics such as big data, database management, data analytics, data mining, and machine learning subjects. You will learn about data science processes and methods as well as the tools and technologies used in advanced data engineering.

Theory of Computation

A theory of computation course will teach you advanced algorithms, computation models, Turing machines, quantum computing, and automata theories. You’ll also have lessons that cover the Godel Incompleteness theorem and molecular computing.

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How to Get a PhD in Computer Science: Doctoral Program Requirements

If you are wondering how to get a PhD in Computer Science and complete the doctoral program requirements, this section will provide you with the answers you’re looking for. The graduation and academic requirements will vary from one PhD program to another, but there are some common requirements across all computer science departments. Here are some of them.

A computer science PhD is an amalgamation of graduate-level courses and research. All PhDs will require you to complete their graduate course requirements which cover topics like data science, computing systems, artificial intelligence, and information assurance. The required number of courses will vary depending on the program but is typically between 10 and 15. 

Maintaining a minimum required cumulative GPA in your courses is a requirement across all PhD programs. The GPA requirement can range anywhere from 3.0 to 3.5. This is one of the major ways your program department tracks your progress and whether or not you are struggling with the work.

Clearing the qualifying exams with a passing grade while maintaining the required GPA is another PhD graduation requirement. Your preliminary exam is a public presentation discussing your research topics with approval committees and other students. Written exams and oral exams come with each course and are a test of your computer science and tech abilities.  

You are typically required to present your research proposal or research initiation project within the first two years of your PhD. You must get your research idea approved by the approval committee and begin the research process within those two years. 

Once you embark on your computer science research process, you are required to present an annual progress report. This presentation is a review process where the approval committee will ask questions and provide feedback on your progression.  

Your PhD milestones may also include publication requirements. For these, you’ll be required to submit one or two peer-reviewed journal or publication entries covering the computer science topics you are researching. 

Universities also require PhD candidates to complete two years of graduate teaching assistantships or research assistantships. These assistantships are one of the best ways to secure funding for your PhD program. 

Getting your dissertation approved and completing your research and thesis is one of the most important milestones of your PhD. Your assigned research committee, thesis advisor, and approval committee will need to approve your research and dissertation for your to be able to graduate. 

Computer science PhDs will have a timeline breakdown that candidates are expected to meet. You will typically need to complete the graduate coursework within two to three years and complete your dissertation and thesis within six years. You can request a timeline extension with your advisor’s approval.

The thesis for your PhD in Computer Science will cover your chosen research subject area. It will include a thesis proposal submission, thesis presentation, and thesis approval process as well as an extensive written document covering your hypothesis, findings, and conclusions. 

Potential Careers With a Computer Science Degree

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PhD in Computer Science Salary and Job Outlook

The salary and job outlook for a PhD in Computer Science will vary according to your job designation but are generally positive. The average salary for some of the highest-paid jobs will range between $86,712 and $179,351. Below are some of the most lucrative career paths a computer science PhD holder can embark on.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Computer Science?

You can work in a wide range of advanced technical positions with a PhD in Computer Science. This doctoral degree qualifies you for positions as a manager, scientist, college professor, and researcher. You could lead an information assurance department or become a computer science professor, chief data scientist, or artificial intelligence researcher.

Best Jobs with a PhD in Computer Science

• Computer Research Scientist
• Computer Science Professor
• Research and Development Lead
• Computer Systems Engineer
• Information Technology Manager

What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Computer Science?

The average salary for someone with a PhD in Computer Science is $131,000 per year , according to PayScale. Your actual salary will vary depending on your specific position, location, and experience. In fact, with a PhD, you could work as a chief data scientist and make between $136,000 and $272,000 or as a senior software engineer and make $104,000 to $195,000.

Highest-Paying Computer Science Jobs for PhD Grads

Best computer science jobs with a doctorate.

The best computer science jobs with a doctorate degree all earn a high salary and have high projected growth in the next few years. These jobs cover a wide range of computer science disciplines, meaning that you’ll easily be able to find a position doing something you enjoy.

A chief data scientist is in charge of the data analytics and data science departments of an organization. They are responsible for the approval of new database system designs, data strategies, and data management decisions. 

• Salary with a Computer Science PhD: $179,351
• Job Outlook: 22% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 33,000
• Highest-Paying States: Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington

A chief information officer is an IT executive responsible for managing and overseeing the computer and information technology departments of a company. Also known as CTOs, they are responsible for delegating tasks and approving innovation and technology upgrade ideas proposed by their teams. 

• Salary with a Computer Science PhD: $168,680
• Job Outlook: 11% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 482,000
• Highest-Paying States: New York, California, New Jersey, Washington, District of Columbia

A senior computer scientist heads the research department of a computer science, artificial intelligence, or computer engineering field. These professionals, along with their research team, are tasked with developing efficient and optimal computer solutions across a wide range of sectors. 

• Salary with a Computer Science PhD: $153,972

An IT security architect is a cyber and information security professional responsible for developing, maintaining, and upgrading the IT and network security infrastructure of a business or organization. Additionally, they oversee an organization’s data, communication systems, and software systems security aspects. 

• Salary with a Computer Science PhD: $128,414
• Job Outlook : 5% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 165,200
• Highest-Paying States: New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, Marlyand

A computer science professor is a university professor who educates college students concerning basic and advanced computer science subjects. They are responsible for creating and instructing a course curriculum as well as testing their students. Some computer science professors also work as research faculty at a university. 

• Salary with a Computer Science PhD: $86,712
• Job Outlook: 12% job growth from 2020 to 2030
• Number of Jobs: 1,276,900 
• Highest-Paying States: California, Oregon, District of Columbia, New York, Massachusetts

Is a PhD in Computer Science Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Computer Science is worth it for anyone wanting to work in senior professions in the field of technology. This doctoral degree opens its recipients up to numerous career opportunities across academia, research and development, technology management, and chief technical positions.

Getting a computer science PhD equips you with specialized skills and extensive research capabilities. During your studies, you’ll get the opportunity to contribute to the rapidly developing world of technology with your original dissertation and specialize in data science, network security, or computing systems.

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PhD in Computer Science FAQ

The preferred GPA for a computer science PhD is 3.5 or above. Keep in mind that meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t guarantee acceptance. The higher you can get your GPA during your bachelor’s and master’s, the more likely it is you will be accepted to the PhD program of your choice.

The standardized exam you need to take to get a PhD in Computer Science is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE score requirements will vary from university to university and several schools have currently waived GRE requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic.

You can choose from a wide range of potential research subjects for your computer science PhD, including computer algorithms, data science, artificial intelligence , or cyber security. You can also research business process modeling, robotics, quantum computing, machine learning, or other big data topics.

You can get into a computer science PhD program by impressing the admissions committee and the school’s computer science graduate department with your skills, experience, grades, and desired research topic. Students with a 3.5 or higher GPA, a high GRE score, extensive IT skills, and an impressive research topic have a higher chance of admission.

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Ph.D. in Computer Science

Ph.d. program requirements.

The PhD degree requires 72 graduate-level credits, including:

• no 5000-level CS courses
• these credits traditionally cannot be transferred in, you must actually take at least 6 credits of coursework at UVA to get a UVA PhD
• CS 8897 and CS 9897 (Graduate Teaching Instruction) cannot be used to satisfy this 24-credit requirement (but see below)
• at least 12 credits in any combination of CS 8897 and CS 9897 (Graduate Teaching Instruction), corresponding to two semesters as a full-time, 20 hour per week TA (see Chapter 3.2)
• Completion of the Qualifying Examination (see Chapter 5)
• Completion of the PhD Proposal (see Chapter 6.3)
• Completion of the Oral Defense of the written Dissertation (see Chapter 6.4)
• Finally, complete the “ Graduate Student Leave Request ” form (see Section 2.5) to leave the program.

These requirements have significant overlap with the MCS and MS degree requirements; many students choose to earn one of those Master’s degrees as part of their PhD studies.

Application Requirements

Computer science background requirements.

The Department of Computer Science does not require that applicants hold a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, applicants are expected to have a strong background in Computer Science. A suitable background would include courses in the following core areas:

• Data Structures
• Discrete Mathematics
• Assembly Language and Computer Organization
• Programming in a procedural language such as C, C#, C++, or Java.

Applicants are also expected to have taken several (but not necessarily all) courses in specialized areas:

• Operating Systems
• Programming Languages
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Networks
• Automata and Formal Languages
• Software Engineering

A year of college-level Calculus is also required. In general, experience gained working is not considered equivalent to successful completion of the courses listed above.

Grade Point Average

There is no minimum GPA required for admission. However, most applicants who are offered admission to our program have a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0). The grades in Computer Science, mathematics and related courses are more important than the overall GPA.

GRE scores are optional. 

Letters of Reference

If possible, letters of references should be written by faculty at a university previously attended. Letters of reference from Computer Science faculty are preferred, but references from employers are welcome. References should pay particular attention to academic achievements and evidence of independent, creative problem solving.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

• If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., TOEFL is not required
• If you received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.), TOEFL/IELTS is not required.
• If you received a 4-year degree at a non -English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is required. 
• Note that if you have a solid command of written and spoken English, TOEFL/IELTS waivers are possible! Contact via email,  [email protected] , explaining why you believe TOEFL/IELTS can be waived (include evidence such as verification of duties as a Teaching Assistant that required significant interactions in English, copies of expired TOEFL/IELTS scores, presentations at conferences in English, etc.). 

It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. Scores can be sent electronically to UVa at institution code B875. Some students with lower scores may be required to complete the UVA Summer English for Academic Purposes Program prior to admission.

Application Evaluation

Applications are evaluated based on the following factors:

• Background in Computer Science (including project work)
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Letters of reference
• Personal statement
• TOEFL/IELTS scores

Applications are evaluated in their entirety. A weakness in one factor might be mitigated by strength in another.

Financial Aid / Tuition 

Occasionally, the school of Engineering offers Master Fellowships. More information can be found on the Engineering Cost Aid webpage: https://engineering.virginia.edu/future-grads/graduate-admissions/cost-aid , and you can learn more about UVA Fellowships here: https://citizenscholars.virginia.edu/fellowships  

PhD students are usually admitted with a financial aid package in the form of a First-Year Research Assistantship that allows students to explore research with various faculty members and find their best match. It is expected that students will join a research group by the end of their first year and then be supported as a Research Assistant (RA). This financial aid package includes a competitive stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage. Details of this award are given at the time of your notification of acceptance into the Computer Science PhD program.  

You are encouraged to apply to outside sources for fellowships or you can apply for federal assistance by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid .

The UVA Tuition and Fees page includes the costs per academic year by school. 

CS Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i apply.

Please visit this Web page to apply.

When is the application deadline?

See details in the section above (Admissions).

How much does it cost to apply? Can this fee be waived?

Visit this UVA Engineering FAQ page for details on the cost to apply, and learn if your fee can be waived.

Is the TOEFL/IELTS required?

International students must have an outstanding command of the English language in order to enroll at the University of Virginia. The TOEFL/IELTS exam is required of all applicants if the language first learned and spoken in the home is not English, and they are not permanent residents. However, TOEFL/IELTS is not required if the applicant has received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.). (If the applicant has a 4-year degree from a non-English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is still required.) It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. 

I scored less than 22 on the Speaking section of TOEFL. Can I still apply?

We review all applications thoroughly, along a number of dimensions. It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90/ IELTS score of 6.5.

Where do I send my GRE and/or TOEFL/IELTS scores?

The Institution code for School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Virginia for the GRE is 5820. The code for TOEFL is  B875. There is not a specific code for the Department of Computer Science.

I'm taking TOEFL/IELTS or GRE after your deadline (Dec 15). If I apply will these scores make it into my application and be seen by the admissions committee?

We will start evaluating applications soon after the Dec 15 deadline. Applicants should submit the most complete application they can, based on the information they have at the time (e.g., current test scores, even if new test scores are anticipated).Those applications that are complete will be considered first. We will continue to evaluate applications into early next year, until we have completed our offers. As we are reviewing applications, we will certainly consider updated scores as the arrive at the University of Virginia. There is no need to email us to tell us that new scores are being sent.

Should I mail or should I upload my materials with my application?

We strongly discourage applicants from mailing in any items that can be uploaded to avoid delays in your application review, and we ask that you not send duplicate copies of previously uploaded documents. If you still need to mail documents to our office, please send them to: For US Postal: Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions P.O. Box 401103 Charlottesville, VA 22904 For UPS/FEDEX:      Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions      1001 Emmet Street North      Room 209B Carruthers Hall      Charlottesville, VA 22903

I’ve submitted my application and all supporting materials. Why does my application status still show as incomplete?

We will fully review your application with unofficial test scores and unofficial transcripts. Your application will only show as "complete" when your application has been submitted, your official scores and transcripts have been received and all three letters of recommendations have been received. An application is complete for review with unofficial transcripts and self-reported scores, though the checklist will still show incomplete. Please note that all official transcripts are received in our main admissions office and scanned or entered into our system manually. If you feel that your materials should have been received by now, but are NOT showing up when you login to your account, please note that the Graduate Admissions Office processes a very large number of applications and it may take longer than expected for your documents/information to appear online (in your account). It is very likely that your materials have been received, but have not been loaded into our application system yet.

If I email you my information (e.g., GPA, GRE scores, etc.) before I apply, can you tell me the chance of being accepted?

The graduate admissions committee considers many factors in an application, including more than just GPA and test scores. In particular, letters of reference and your personal statement are extremely important. Therefore, we are unfortunately unable to provide any information before the committee considers your full application.

I still have other questions. Is there anyone available to help me?

Yes! For program/degree specific questions, please send an email to [email protected]. For application support and specific questions regarding the application process, please contact: Central Graduate Admissions [email protected] 434-243-0209

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

Computer Science Ph.D. Cost

How much does it cost to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UND?

UND's School of Graduate Studies is one of the best values in the nation, offering lower tuition and fees than similar Midwest four-year doctoral universities. For an affordable tuition price, our students are learning from top experts and leading research.

The work you do at UND will be worth it — in more ways than one. Depending on your field, your paycheck could jump by $1,000/month with a master's degree or more than $2,490/month with a doctoral degree. Graduate degrees can also open new career opportunities and provide personal growth.

Computer Science Ph.D. Tuition & Fees

On-campus tuition costs.

Cost of Attendance Details

Online Tuition Costs

Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency.

Calculate Your Cost to Attend UND

Several factors can adjust your cost to attend college. Use these two calculators to help determine costs.

The cost to attend UND varies. Input your program, start term, military affiliation and current residence to quickly estimate tuition and fees.

The best way to figure out what UND will cost is to calculate your cost with financial aid. The price you actually pay is usually far less once your custom financial aid package is considered.

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Top 10 Best PhD in Computer Science Programs

Are you looking to further your studies in computer science? Perfect! I’ve researched and put together these ten computer science PhD programs, so keep reading to find your next course!

As you know, PhD in computer science holders are sought-after specialists, with current demand far outstripping supply. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics , jobs for computer and information research scientists are estimated to grow by an impressive 22% between 2020 and 2030. You might score similar positions with a PhD in mathematics , too. But a PhD in computer science can open doors to some of the most lucrative jobs in the industry.

Let’s explore some of the best computer science PhD courses in the US!

Table of Contents

Best Computer Science PhD Programs and Universities

Stanford university.

PhD in Computer Science

Stanford University is one of the most famous research institutions in the world, and its Computer Science programs have been ranked second  in the USA. This PhD program involves a research rotation scheme where students participate in different research groups during the first year. This exposes them to different subjects and lets them know the faculty and fellow students.

• Courses : Analysis of algorithms, programming languages, and computer network & security.
• Credits : 135 course units
• Duration : 5-6 years
• Delivery : On-campus
• Tuition : Refer tuition page  (full funding available)
• Financial aid : Research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and grants
• Acceptance rate:  5.2%
• Location : Stanford, California

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PhD in Computer Science and Engineering

MIT is known as the best technical institution in the world, and its computer science programs were ranked first  in the country by the US & News report. Students can work with all schools and departments throughout their studies.

• Courses : Software & computation for simulation, process data analytics & machine learning, and numerical computing & interactive software.
• Credits : 60
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, federal work-study, fellowships, assistantships, grants, and veteran benefits
• Acceptance rate:  7.3%
• Location : Cambridge, Massachusetts

Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Sciences

CMU is a globally acclaimed private research university, home to conducting cutting-edge technology research across its seven prestigious schools. This is one of the few PhD programs in computer science with an optional dual degree arrangement enabling you to study programs with one of seven Portuguese universities.

• Courses : Algorithms & complexity, artificial intelligence, and software systems.
• Credits : 96 university units
• Tuition : $48,250 per year
• Financial aid:  Full funding, fellowships, and scholarships
• Acceptance rate : 17.3%
• Location : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Harvard University, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard University is a world-renowned research institution that aims to achieve the perfect mix of scholarship and innovation. Across the university, every PhD student is given a field advisor right from the beginning of the program. Then, the student identifies a research area and a potential research advisor in their first two semesters. Upon qualifying, the research advisor nominates a research committee to assist the student throughout their graduate career.

• Courses : Algorithms & their limitations, data structures & algorithms, and cryptography.
• Credits : 16 half-courses
• Duration : 2 years minimum
• Financial aid : Full funding, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
• Acceptance rate:  5%

Duke University, The Graduate School

Duke University is an internationally acclaimed private research university known for its inclusivity. Its Center for Exemplary Mentoring aims to increase the number of PhD graduates from underrepresented and minority communities. Its PhD of Computer Science program is flexible and allows students to choose between a coursework-only option of 30 credits or a thesis.

• Courses : Programming & problem solving, computational microeconomics, and software design & implementation.
• Credits : 8 courses
• Duration : 5 years
• Tuition : $4,325  per semester
• Financial aid : Grants, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships
• Acceptance rate : 7.7%
• Location : Durham, North Carolina

The University of California Berkeley, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS)

The University of California Berkeley is a prestigious university committed to student diversity and has a dedicated Office for Graduate Diversity to support students from all backgrounds. This PhD program offers research opportunities in biosystems and computational biology, cyber-physical systems and design automation (CPSDA), and computer architecture and engineering.

• Courses : Combinatorial algorithms & data structures, design of programming languages, and implementation of database systems.
• Credits : 24 units minimum
• Duration : 5.5 – 6 years
• Tuition : $6,132 per semester
• Financial aid : Fellowships, scholarships, grants, research stipends, loans, and work-study
• Acceptance rate : 17%
• Location : Berkeley, California

California Institute of Technology, Computing & Mathematical Sciences Department

The California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is one of the most renowned technology institutions in the world despite its comparatively small size. This PhD program allows students to develop an in-depth understanding of and conduct research in areas related to mathematical and algorithmic foundations of computer science.

• Courses : Quantum cryptography, information theory, and network control systems.
• Credits : 135 units
• Duration : 6 years
• Tuition : $63,063  per year
• Financial aid : Fellowships, assistantships, loans, stipends, scholarships, and work-study
• Acceptance rate : 6.7%
• Location : Pasadena, California

Cornell University, Bowers College of Computing and Information Science

Cornell University is home to several famous technology schools, such as Cornell Tech, which conducts cutting-edge research to find solutions to the challenges of our modern, digital world. In this PhD program, students choose a minor from one of the 90 available fields outside of computer science to widen their knowledge base.

• Courses : Parallel computing, programming environments, and natural language processing.
• Duration : 12 semesters
• Tuition : $24,800  per year
• Financial aid:  Assistantships, fellowships, loans, and stipends
• Acceptance rate : 10.7%
• Location : Ithaca, New York

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, The Grainger College of Engineering

The Grainger College of Engineering focuses on research to improve quality of life through innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal engagement. In this flexible PhD program, students are assigned three committee members during the first semester. The student can then consult with these mentors to plan their studies to meet their career goals.

• Courses : Programming language semantics, machine learning for signals, and learning-based robotics.
• Credits : 96, or 64 if you already have an MS
• Duration : 5-7 years
• Financial aid : Grants, fellowships, waivers, loans, and employment
• Acceptance rate : 63.3%
• Location : Urbana, Illinois

Princeton University, The Graduate School

Princeton University is one of the top universities in the country in computer science doctorate programs. This PhD program involves studying six courses, including one each from the three main areas of Artificial Intelligence, Systems, and Theory, which form the program’s core.

• Courses : Programming languages, advanced computer systems, and information theory & applications.
• Credits : 6 courses
• Tuition : $62,860  per year
• Financial aid : Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships
• Acceptance rate : 5.6%
• Location : Princeton, New Jersey

What Do I Need to Get a PhD in Computer Science?

For most programs, you’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field; however, exact eligibility requirements vary depending on the school. To earn your PhD, you’ll typically need to complete coursework, qualifying exams, and a dissertation.

What to Consider When Choosing a Computer Science PhD Program

Several US schools and universities offer PhD in computer science programs — choosing the right program for you can feel overwhelming. So, take your time and research the curriculum and specialties for different programs to make sure they match your areas of interest.

If you’re unsure about the areas you want to specialize in, I advise you to read research papers across different fields and discuss career opportunities with people in the industry. It’s also a good idea to look up the faculty from the programs you’re interested in and review their recent papers.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing a computer science PhD:

• Curriculum and specialties offered
• The program’s reputation
• Faculty, their specialties, and reputation
• Cost of tuition and other fees
• Delivery mode: on-campus, online, or hybrid
• Funding options

Related Reading:  Top 10 Best Online PhDs in Computer Science

Why Get a Doctor of Computer Science Degree?

A doctorate in computer science will equip you to become a leading researcher in today’s digital technologies. You’ll also be eligible for senior academic positions with a PhD in the field.

Furthermore, a PhD in computer science allows you to work in various respectable roles. Here are some of the top jobs and average yearly salaries for computer science PhD holders:

• Data Scientist – $99,710
• Chief Data Scientist –  $211,702
• Software Architect – $136,541
• Software Development Manager – $133,534
• Senior Researcher – $107,657

Approximately 2,000 students earn a computer science PhD from US universities each year. The industry demand is much greater than the supply. Furthermore, many PhD candidates are international students who return home after graduation. Therefore, graduates with a PhD in computer science are in high demand in the US.

PhD in Computer Science: Key Facts

How much does a phd in computer science cost.

Tuition varies depending on the program but generally falls between $15,000 and $60,000 per year. Besides the tuition fees, you will also need to factor in additional costs like academic fees, books, other educational resources, and living expenses.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in computer science usually takes 3-7 years to complete.

What Skills Do You Gain from Doing a PhD in Computer Science?

A PhD in computer science allows students to develop leadership, problem-solving, and research skills related to complex topics like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics.

Key Takeaways

A PhD in computer science is one of the most in-demand qualifications in today’s hyper-digital world. It can equip you with specialized skills and knowledge to address modern tech problems with innovative solutions.

If you found this article helpful, take a look at our other guides, including the best Master’s in Computer Science programs , the top online PhD programs , and the highest paying PhDs .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a phd in computer science like.

A PhD in computer science typically involves research, coursework, thesis preparation, teaching, and seminars related to computer science subjects. Individual programs may have other requirements.

Can You Get a PhD in Computer Science?

Yes, many universities offer computer science PhD programs . You’ll usually need a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in computer science or a related field to apply.

Is a PhD in Computer Science Worth It?

While a PhD in computer science requires considerable financial investment, it is a valuable qualification in today’s tech-forward world. Plenty of job opportunities and high remuneration levels await a computer science PhD graduate, with the average annual salary of $133,000 per year.

What Does a PhD in Computer Science Do?

A qualified PhD computer science graduate may conduct research in complex computer systems, design and develop programs and applications, or study human-computer interaction to find innovative solutions for society. They may also work in academics, either in teaching, research, or both.

What Can I Do with a PhD in Computer Science?

With a PhD in Computer Science on your resume, you’ll be hired for roles like data scientist, software architect, researcher, or academic professor and build a prestigious, high-paid career.

Which Subject is Best for a PhD in Computer Science?

A wide range of subjects will qualify you to apply for a doctoral degree in computer science. Popular topics include data structures and algorithms, computer systems and organization, and discrete computer science mathematics. The best subject for you depends on your interests and career ambitions.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Master’s and PhD Students

Special students, visiting fellows, health fees, family expenses.

In addition to tuition and fees, Harvard Griffin GSAS students should budget for living expenses and other costs associated with their academic program. This page outlines what you need to know about tuition, health fees, and more.

Harvard Griffin GSAS students are required to register continuously from the time they enter the Graduate School until they receive their degree or, in the case of special students and visiting fellows, until they complete their program. Harvard Griffin GSAS charges tuition or enrollment fees based on student status. 

Master’s students are charged full tuition; some programs have different cost structures. Students in some master's programs may receive grants and fellowships that cover this cost. 

PhD students are charged tuition based on a tiered tuition structure that reduces over time as they progress through their degree program. Because circumstances vary from student to student, the chart below is only a guide to potential tuition charges. PhD students may receive grants to cover the cost of tuition and fees, as noted in their individualized Notice of Financial Support received upon admission. 

Students are required to register continuously from the time they enter a degree program until they receive their degree. Nonresident students with Leave of Absence or Traveling Scholar status are charged, at minimum, the active file fee (see the chart below).

Master’s and PhD Student Tuition Fee 2023–2024

Note: Subject to annual increases

Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) and Data Science Master’s Programs

The  Computational Science and Engineering  (CSE) and Data Science master’s programs have different tuition structures than other degree programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:

Special students  engage in coursework or a combination of coursework and research for academic credit for one term or one year only. While not candidates for any degree, special students are admitted to Harvard Griffin GSAS and access student privileges, which include a Harvard transcript with coursework and grades listed. Full tuition and student health fees are charged; Harvard Griffin GSAS does not offer financial aid, work-study opportunities, or student loans to special students. Audited courses and supervised independent research projects are charged the same tuition as courses for credit.

Payment of tuition and fees is due prior to registration.

Special Student Tuition Fee 2023–2024, Per Term

Scholars intending to conduct independent research, who hold a doctorate, have equivalent professional experience, or are advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework may register at Harvard Griffin GSAS as a visiting fellow . Visiting fellows are considered full-time research students, with access to Harvard University’s libraries and facilities, and may apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club. Visiting fellows are charged reduced tuition and student health fees . Harvard Griffin GSAS does not offer financial aid, work-study opportunities, or student loans to visiting fellows. Tuition cannot be waived or prorated and is non-refundable.

Visiting Fellow Tuition Fee 2023–2024

Students enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. Waivers of the Student Health Fee may be accepted in very limited cases. Please visit the Harvard University Student Health Program website for more detailed information.

Required Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) Fees

Other costs.

Harvard Griffin GSAS students will incur additional costs for housing and food, books and supplies, and other necessities. 

Estimated Living Expense Budgets

This estimated budget does not include costs of travel, fees for required tests, application fees, or such initial expenses as home furnishings. Your individual expenses may vary from these figures. 

Many graduate students are accompanied by their spouses, domestic partners, and children. Harvard Griffin GSAS maintains policies and provides access to resources that help balance family needs with the demands of graduate study.

You can find a list of  family resources on the Harvard Griffin GSAS website (please note some resources are specific to PhD students).

If you plan to bring your family, it is important to understand how additional family expenses will impact your budget and expected resources. Most financial aid sources, including loans, have limitations on whether family expenses can be included when determining eligibility.

You must plan ahead to ensure that you have sufficient resources to cover these costs. The chart below provides an estimate of how much you will need to support a spouse and/or dependent(s). Keep in mind this is a general budget and your personal expenses may be higher or lower, but it is a great place to start when developing your own budget.

2023–2024 Estimated Living Expenses Budget

Financial aid, share this page, explore events.

Estimated Expense Budget

Main navigation, graduate tuition, 2023-24, three academic quarters of graduate tuition.

Full-time enrollment may be considered 8-10 units per quarter or 11 or more units per quarter depending on the type of financial support and the program.

2023-24 Average Graduate Student Expense Budget

Child Care:  Costs can range from $1,000 - $3,000 per month (or more).

Living Costs for Spouse:  $12,000 (9 months); $16,000 (12 months).

Living Costs for Children:  $3,000 (9 months); $4,000 (12 months).

Medical Insurance for Spouse and/or Children:  See the  Vaden Health Center  web site or contact the Insurance Office at (650) 723-2135 or email  [email protected] .

Taxation:  Fellowship stipends and assistantship salaries are subject to taxation. This tax liability should be included in budget planning.

Tuition and Costs

Cost of graduate education.

The cost of graduate education includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, personal costs, transportation, taxes and loan fees. Amounts can vary based on in-state/out-of-state status, campus location, degree program, and individual choices and circumstances. 

The Virginia Tech Bursar lists  tuition rates and fees  by program and campus. Contact the bursar's office  if you have a question about your student account.

The University Scholarships and Financial Aid office publishes estimates for the annual cost of attendance budget that can guide your budget planning.

The Cranwell International Center describes the financial requirements international students must meet before they can receive a visa eligibility document (I-20 or DS-2019). 

Tools such as GradSense.org , Nerdwallet.com , MIT Living Wage calculator , or bestplaces.net can help you create a budget and estimate the cost of living in the are of your selected campus location. 

Examples of estimated annual living expenses (as of spring 2024)

Annual living expenses of a single student in a 1-bedroom apartment in Blacksburg: 

Rent:                     $8,400 (in cheap, no-frills apartment) Food:                     $3,600 (cooking for self, limited eating out)     Books & misc:     $600 Transportation:  $2,000 (variable by personal need/preference) Other personal:  $4,000 (variable by personal need/preference) Comp fees:          $3,400-4,000     Taxes:                     $150 or more (variable by tax status) TOTAL:                  $22,150 or more

Annual living expenses of a single student sharing an apartment with roommate(s) in Blacksburg:

Rent:                     $7,200 (in cheap, no-frills apartment) Food:                     $2,400 (cooking together, limited eating out)     Books & misc:     $600 Transportation:  $200 (bike/bus locally; limited other travel) Other personal:  $4,000 (variable by personal need/preference) Comp fees:          $3,400-4,000    Taxes:                     $150 or more (variable by tax status) TOTAL:                  $18,100 or more

In-State Tuition Eligibility

In-state status is not granted automatically for graduate students, even if you've been a long-time Virginia resident. Check eligibility requirements and apply for in-state status if you qualify. 

Financial Aid

The Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid provides information about cost-of-education for graduate students and applying for scholarships, loans, and other aid.

Assistantships

Assistantships are the most common source of funding for graduate study. Learn more about assistantship benefits and responsibilities .  Review our  assistantship funding data  to see assistantship funding by degree level, program, assistantship type and more.

Application Fee and Waivers

The standard Graduate School application fee is $75. Some applicants may be eligible for application fee waivers. Visit  this page for more information and the fee waiver form . 

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Salary and stipend rates

Mit strives to offer salaries and stipends that enable students to live and pursue their education in cambridge and the greater boston area..

Salary and stipend rates are extensively reviewed and revised each year by the Office of the Provost, in consultation with the  Graduate Student Council  and MIT’s senior leadership, to respond to changes in the cost of living. Set rates vary by field of study, length of degree time, degree type, and teaching appointment status, and are announced each spring.

Please note these rates can only serve as a guideline to what a department may offer when providing a funding package. Departments have the freedom to set higher rates that are in line with their funding policies for MIT appointments and external fellowships. Additionally, we offer also  grants for graduate students with dependent children  and other sources of support . 

MIT doctoral programs typically provide 12-month appointments; details on funding are outlined in graduate student offer letters. For students in 12-month programs who have a 9-month funding appointment, it is very important that you check with your department or program about opportunities for summer support, since nine months of support is typically insufficient to cover living expenses in the area.

12-month salary and stipend rates (2023-2024)

Salaries, stipends, payroll, and taxes.

All students are paid via MITPay, with the first payment typically disbursed during the second week of the term. Please see payroll information for graduate students for more information.

The salary or stipend is only part of the financial picture for supporting graduate students. Depending on award or appointment type, there are different costs to MIT and/or external sponsors. In all cases, MIT pays a substantial fraction of the tuition for students with research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. MIT also subsidizes the graduate student housing system and the cost of health care.

Payments received from MIT may be subject to  withholding tax  in accordance with regulations governed by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. To learn more about how common payment types are defined by the IRS, and details about tax withholding and reporting, please visit the  Office of the Vice President for Finance (VPF) website .

The MIT International Students Office (ISO) and MIT VPF host a series of tax information workshops each spring for both U.S. and international students. More information can be found on the  workshops page . You can also see articles and videos about preparing and filing taxes for students and academics at the  taxes  section of MIT’s  iGrad portal .

Useful links: 

Office of Sponsored Programs – Graduate Research Assistant Tuition Subsidy Rates

Historic Stipend Levels

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Can You Afford a Computer Science Master’s Degree? A Comprehensive Guide to MSCS Costs

There are many great reasons to invest in a  Master of Science in Computer Science , or MSCS. For example, the salary-boosting impact of a master’s-level computer science degree. When Forbes ranked master’s degrees by the average post-graduation salary increase, graduate degrees in computer science offered the second-biggest bump in pay. Bachelor’s degree holders  earn about $86,000  while Master of Science in Computer Science holders typically  earn over $100,000  (nearly twice the national  median household income ). An  online MSCS  from an institution like Tufts University School of Engineering can also give you the leading edge skills, prestigious credentials, and connections you need to launch a career in computer science or advance in an established computer science career more quickly.

Tufts is one of the  Best Engineering Schools in the nation , according to  U.S. News & World Report . The main campus is located next to the  third fastest-growing tech hub  in the United States, and the online MSCS course content (delivered in a blend of self-paced classwork and live virtual classes) is frequently revised and updated to align with industry demands. Class sizes are small, so distance learners can develop relationships with professors and peers, and the elite Tufts alumni network is 100,000 graduates strong.

Launch your computer science career to new heights

Learn skills hiring managers want to see at tufts.

The value of a computer science master’s degree is clear. The value of a graduate degree from Tufts is clear. What’s less clear is how to pay for this degree. The master’s in computer science cost often gives many qualified applicants pause. Understanding your options regarding financial aid, grants, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement is the key to determining whether you can afford a  Master of Science in Computer Science —and whether the ROI of this degree makes that a moot point. Here’s what you need to know.

Online programs are rarely cheaper than those delivered on-campus—particularly at top-ranked institutions that create hands-on, high-engagement online courses.

How much does a master’s in computer science cost?

How much a master’s in computer science costs varies significantly from institution to institution, so the average cost of an MSCS isn’t particularly illuminating. According to  U.S. News and World Report , per-credit tuition for a typical 30-credit online master’s in computer science can range from  $500 to $2,000  for a total cost of between $15,000 and $72,000. Tufts’ 33-credit online Master of Science in Computer Science costs $1,697 per credit hour or $56,001 in total tuition. Keep in mind, however, that very few graduate students in the United States pay the full sticker price for a degree. Like undergraduates, master’s degree candidates fund their degrees and cover non-tuition expenses with many forms of  financial aid  like loans, scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

Calculating non-tuition expenses

You can pay for some non-tuition expenses using financial aid. Other costs—like application fees,  enrollment fees , and transcript fees—are typically paid out of pocket. The cost of non-tuition expenses can add up quickly, and you should include them in cost calculations. Some are easy to overlook. For instance, Tufts  School of Engineering  no longer requires students with undergraduate degrees from accredited U.S. or Canadian institutions to submit GRE scores as part of its  MSCS admission requirements . Some students still opt to take the test. Additionally, students with degrees granted by institutions outside the United States and Canada must submit scores. The  cost to take the GRE  for students in most countries is $220, and GRE prep materials and courses can cost anywhere from $20 to thousands of dollars.

There’s also the cost of prerequisite courses to consider. The ideal MSCS applicant has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or an undergraduate degree in a related computational discipline. Some schools require that applicants pass specific prerequisite courses in computer science, programming, and advanced mathematics. Meeting those prerequisites is often a matter of completing the required courses independently or in a bridge program. Tufts, for example, has a five-course, 100 percent online  Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science to MS in Computer Science Program . The course, which costs $1,980, helps non-CS majors prepare to apply for the MSCS program.

Finally, there is the cost of books and other course materials, which vary from year to year as syllabi change. Recently, Tufts MSCS professors have asked students to purchase books such as:

• Elements of ML Programming  ($90) for COMP 105 Programming Languages
• The C Programming Language  ($65) and  Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles  ($56) for COMP 111 Operating Systems
• Introduction to Algorithms  ($30) for COMP 160 Algorithms
• Introduction to the Theory of Computation  ($200) for COMP 170 Computation Theory

Books alone aren’t a significant non-tuition expense, but the cost of prerequisite classes, fees, and course materials can add up.

Are online degrees less expensive than on-campus programs?

Online programs are rarely cheaper  than those delivered on-campus—particularly at top-ranked institutions that create hands-on, high-engagement online courses based on or identical to those in the on-campus MSCS curriculum. Providing that level of quality course content online can cost more because online programs require large, capable support staff to ensure everything runs smoothly and that troubleshooting, when necessary, is quick and effective.

The myth of the inexpensive online master’s programs is so widespread because, in theory, the size of programs for distance learners is limited only by what the technology can support. People assume colleges and universities enroll huge numbers of students in their online degree programs. In reality, reputable institutions deliberately keep online class sizes small, ensuring online students have the same access to professors and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with a diverse group of peers.

Tufts University doesn’t draw a hard line between its online and in-person graduate programs. Online MSCS students at Tufts enjoy the same student-centered experience and receive the same dedicated support and service from enrollment through graduation. Distance learners might not use on-campus facilities, but they do use the university’s robust technological infrastructure. They also benefit from one-on-one guidance provided by the enrollment team, purposeful faculty mentorship, expert career counseling, and membership in an active alumni network. The only difference between the on-campus MSCS program and the online MSCS program is location.

There are some cost savings associated with online degrees, however

The online Master of Science in Computer Science offered by the Tufts Online School of Engineering covers the same content and confers the same degree as the computer science master’s program offered on campus, which is why the online MSCS and on-campus MSCS cost roughly the same amount. That doesn’t mean distance learners don’t pay less. The flexibility of Tufts’ online program lets professionals keep their full-time jobs as they pursue degrees. They don’t spend time out of the workforce (which can lower lifetime income potential), and they continue earning wages. They also don’t need to factor in commuting costs (e.g., gas, tolls, parking, and vehicle wear and tear) when answering the question ‘How much does a master’s in computer science cost?’ Neither do they spend thousands of dollars moving across the country to attend a leading MSCS program. An online degree from the Department of Computer Science at Tufts may have the exact per-credit cost as an equally prestigious program but be less expensive overall.

Calculating the true cost of a master’s in computer science

To calculate the actual price of an MSCS, you need to know the opportunity costs associated with earning this degree and how it will affect your earning potential.

Opportunity costs are what you forfeit when you choose one alternative over another. Suppose you select a two-year, full-time computer science master’s degree program over Tufts’ part-time MSCS. In that case, lost income is one of the opportunity costs you must factor into your calculations. If you would have earned $60,000 per year, a $55,000 degree actually costs $175,000.

Another way to think about opportunity costs is to ask yourself how much income you’ll miss out on without a graduate degree in computer science. If you earn $60,000 now but can’t qualify for significant promotions or higher-paying positions without a master’s degree, your total lifetime earnings could be about  half of what they could have been  with an MSCS.

How to pay for your MSCS degree

Calculating the cost of a computer science master’s degree is also a matter of looking into all possible funding options. Students enrolled in the Tufts online MSCS program fund their degrees in several ways. Some take out Federal or private student loans. Some are eligible for tuition waivers and scholarships. Others receive tuition assistance or reimbursement through an employer, work in research assistantships, or receive employer funding. And still others pay out of pocket after receiving tuition discounts.

Tufts Scholarships

There are multiple scholarships open to online MSCS students at Tufts, including:

• Alumni scholarships  for students who enroll in a School of Engineering master’s program after earning a bachelor’s degree at Tufts. Alumni are eligible for graduate application fee waivers and discounted tuition rates as part of Double Jumbo Scholarships.
• Scholarships for STEM majors  from select Bridge Universities: Incoming MSDS students who earned bachelor’s degrees at Lafayette College, Olin College, Smith College, Union College, and Wellesley College receive 20 percent tuition scholarships.
• Yellow Ribbon Scholarships  of $5,000 annually for veterans enrolled in the School of Engineering.

Student loans

There are different types of federal student loans:

• Graduate students taking six credits worth of classes or more can take out relatively low-interest  Direct Unsubsidized Loans  to pay for a master’s degree program even if they don’t qualify for need-based financial aid. These loans aren’t credit-based, which means they’re accessible to students with adverse credit histories.
• The  Graduate PLUS Loan  (also known as a Direct PLUS Loan) has higher interest rates but doesn’t have a borrowing limit, and students can use these loans to cover the entire cost of a computer science master’s degree. Students fill out the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  when applying to university programs to determine their eligibility for both loans.
• Some students take out  private loans  issued by banks, credit unions, or loan organizations like Sallie Mae—all of which have distinct application processes and deadlines. These loans are typically issued based on creditworthiness, not need, and have higher interest rates than federal loans. Repayment options, fees, and grace periods vary from lender to lender.

Employer tuition reimbursement

Some students finance part or all of their degrees through corporate tuition reimbursement plans. Reimbursement policies vary widely by company, and many organizations place limits on how much funding students can access in a set period. Some make benefits available to all full-time employees, while others require that employees work in their positions for a set period before signing up for funding. Some fund any coursework, while others only fund education directly related to a student’s job. Companies may require employees paying for degrees with reimbursement funding to agree to stay at the company for a certain number of years. If they leave, they are responsible for paying back the reimbursement amount. Applying for corporate tuition reimbursement at companies with established policies often involves getting written approval from a supervisor and then filing a request with HR.

Frequently asked questions about financial aid

1. When should I apply for student loans, grants, or scholarships?  You should submit your applications as early as possible. Fill out the FAFSA, which will determine your eligibility for federal aid, and submit scholarship applications by the first deadline.

2. Are there additional scholarships available other than those listed in this article?  You can find out more about additional Tufts School of Engineering scholarship opportunities  here . There are also hundreds of external scholarships open to master’s degree candidates.  FastWeb  is a scholarship search site that can help you find them.

3. Can I get loans for graduate school if I’m still paying off undergraduate student debt?  Yes, with one caveat. The Federal Direct loan program has a lifetime borrowing limit of $138,500. If the amount you borrowed to pay for your bachelor’s degree was close to that cap, you might not be able to borrow enough to cover the cost of graduate school without Grad PLUS or private loans.

4. When will I know if I’ve received loans/grants/scholarships?  Tufts will notify you of your financial aid package within a week after accepting your application into the online MSCS program. Information about your financial aid package will appear on your Tufts application status page.

5. What if I don’t qualify for any types of financial aid?  You can pay out of pocket if your financial situation allows or finance your degree with private loans. Private loans typically have no application deadlines, so you can wait until you’re certain you don’t qualify for aid before applying.

6. Where can I go if I still have questions?  For more information about graduate student loans, scholarships, or how to apply for financial aid and services, visit the  Tufts main Financial Aid site , email  [email protected] , or call 617-627-3987.

How and when is tuition due?

Tufts bills for tuition on a per-credit basis. If you take two courses per semester while enrolled in the online MSCS program, and each course is three credit hours, your bill will be $10,182 per semester. You don’t have to pay that amount upfront at the start of each semester, however. Tufts offers  a monthly payment plan  for master’s and doctoral candidates. Students have the option of paying the annual cost of tuition and expenses in 10 monthly installments or one semester’s tuition and expenses in five monthly installments. Payments are due starting on July 15 for the fall semester and December 15 for the spring semester, and students can use any one of several  payment options .

You get what you pay for

Some students are intimidated by the price tag of this degree. Tufts’ MSCS isn’t inexpensive, though it’s worth noting that it is one of the more affordable computer science master’s programs offered by a  highly selective  elite school. Graduate programs that cost more tend to invest more in their students and produce better student outcomes.

Tufts School of Engineering has a reputation for educating leaders and for research excellence. Students graduate from the online Master of Science in Computer Science program with the hard skills they’ll need to excel in software engineering and software development, DevOps, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and other specialization areas of tech—plus the soft skills that will help them take advantage of  skills gaps  in their fields. Tufts University alumni work for Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Microsoft, and other notable technology, healthcare, and finance firms.

Perhaps the question you should ask yourself isn’t whether you can afford to pursue a computer science master’s degree at a prestigious institution like Tufts but  whether you can afford not to —particularly if your goals include launching a career in research, working for one of the FAANG firms, or earning more money. An MSCS from Tufts University can help you master your niche, maximize your value to employers, and become an innovator in your field—for only slightly more than the average cost of a master’s degree, making the ROI of this degree as exceptional as the students who earn it.

Still have questions? You can learn more about the online  student experience  or Tufts School of Engineering’s graduate  admission requirements  at one of the school’s admission  events . When you’re ready to invest in yourself,  apply here .

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PhD tuition fees

Students enrolling on a postgraduate degree programme are charged tuition fees each year by Queen Mary University of London. The rate you will be charged depends on whether you are assessed as a Home or Overseas student .

Tuition fees for Home students are set by UK Research Council (UKRI) and each year UKRI usually increases their fee and stipend levels in line with inflation. Further information can be found on the  UKRI website .

2024-25 Tuition Fees 

Home students beginning their PhD in September 2024 (or later) will be charged the following tuition fees:

• £4,786  for full-time research degrees 
• £2,393 for part-time research degrees 

2023-24 Tuition Fees 

Home students beginning their PhD in September 2023 (or later) will be charged the following tuition fees:

• £4,712 for full-time research degrees 
• £2,356 for part-time research degrees 

Tuition fees for Home students are set by UK Research Council (UKRI) and each year UKRI usually increases their fee and stipend levels in line with inflation. 

For international students (this now includes EU students), the tuition fees for 2023-24 and 2024-25 entry can be downloaded below:

2023-24 PGR Tuition Fees [PDF 436KB]

PGR 2024-25 Tuition Fees [PDF 64KB]

Some postgraduate courses may include an additional charge known as a fee band. This is to cover associated costs including equipment, laboratory consumables, specialist technical support, data processing, training and travel. You will be notified at the point of offer if a fee band is applicable.

Please note that fees are quoted at the full-time/part-time rate for the academic year you’ve applied for.  If you begin your study part-way through the academic year then your first tuition fee payment will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Payment of tuition fees

Read a detailed description of how to pay your tuition fees .

University fee regulations

Like all other UK universities, Queen Mary is bound by legislation and Government regulations on fees.

Queen Mary's University fee regulations are outlined in this document: University Fee Regulations 2023/24 [PDF 20,281KB]

These regulations are updated every year, you can access a list of   archived and present University Fee Regulations here .

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Graduate tuition

What you need to know.

The table below reflects standard graduate tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. Amounts are per term, unless noted. Payment of full tuition in the fall or spring terms also covers subjects offered for academic credit during the Independent Activities Period (IAP) in January.

Graduate programs in the Sloan School of Management have their own tuition rates , and certain other graduate programs at MIT also employ “non-standard” tuition . Special students and visiting students should refer to the tuition and fee information specific to them.

For more detailed information regarding specific costs for tuition and fees; books and supplies; and housing, food, and transportation, please visit the Cost of attendance page on the Student Financial Services (SFS) website.

Some key points to remember:

• Tuition for thesis students is based on registration and residency status. View our Graduate Thesis Rules tables by year by choosing from the drop-down menu .
• There are a number of additional miscellaneous fees associated with registering at MIT.
• Students who finish their thesis early or withdraw during a term can have their tuition prorated .
• Students in approved programs registering for thesis work or other approved research subjects in the summer are eligible for a summer tuition subsidy .

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