Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Bachelor of Science
WPI computer science student on computer
How to Apply
Visit
Request Information
Apply through Common Application

Build Your Future with a Computer Science Degree @ WPI 

At a Glance

School & Department

 

School of Arts & Sciences
Department of Computer Science

STEM-Designated Degree

Qualifies international students for extended U.S. work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT)

BS/MS Available

Accelerated five-year program

Proven Career Success

Average Starting Salary: $96,451* 

Notable Employers: Amazon, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Athenahealth, Bank of America**

*WPI Class of 2024 First Destination Survey **WPI First Destination Survey data (2020-24) 

Career & Salary Outlook

Application Deadlines

Early Decision/Early Action I: Nov. 1 

Early Decision/Early Action II: Jan. 5 

Regular Decision: Feb. 1 

Explore This Degree

Options

Program Options

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science + Master of Science

Customize Your Path

Concentration

Tailor your degree with a concentration or customize it with electives. 

Potential Minors

Want to strengthen your computer science degree with complementary skills? Consider a minor that aligns with your interests:

  • Business 

  • Data Science

  • Mathematics 

  • Music

  • Robotics Engineering

  • Writing & Rhetoric 

Continue Your Studies
Explore CS Master’s Options
PhD in Computer Science
Advanced and Graduate Certificates

Undecided? No problem. Apply now and explore before committing to a specific path. 

13:1

student-to-faculty ratio 

235+

student clubs and organizations

94%

of first-year students return for their sophomore year

#15

best career placement

The Princeton Review (2025)
Top 60

best colleges for computer science in America

Niche (2024)
Top 25%

universities for computer science 

Times Higher Education, World University Rankings (2024)
Why WPI

What Makes WPI’s Computer Science Degree Distinct

WPI's project-based computer science degree prepares you for the technology challenges of tomorrow. 

Through WPI's immersive seven-week terms and hands-on project work, you will pursue pathways to:

Create

solutions to real problems for businesses, nonprofits, and communities worldwide  

Design

and implement software systems in collaborative teams 

Develop

critical thinking skills by applying algorithms to intricate challenges  

Build

a professional portfolio through projects completed at one of our 50+ global project centers 

Customize

your expertise by choosing a mix of electives or a concentration to match your interests

Collaborate

with teams across disciplines to develop solutions for today's complex challenges

Resources & Tech You'll Tap Into

Autonomous vehicle

Autonomous Vehicle Mobility Institute (AVMI)

Design autonomous vehicles at the AVMI—your code controls real self-driving systems.
Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Learn More About AVMI
WPI student working on computer

Technology

Work with powerful advanced computing clusters and specialized development environments.
Technology graphic

Team Workspaces

Teams work in collaborative workspaces designed specifically for team software development.

Research Opportunities 

Work alongside faculty on research in: 

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Cybersecurity and privacy
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Big data analytics and visualization
  • Computer vision and graphics 
Projects

Project-Based Learning Experiences

Apply computer science theory and practice from day one. Build a professional portfolio with real work that matters.

At WPI, learn in an immersive environment where classroom concepts transform into hands-on projects, thanks to our intensive, seven-week terms. Complete increasingly advanced projects for industry partners and community organizations, both local and global. Present your solutions directly to organizations that will implement what you create.  

Below, explore real projects completed by computer science students at WPI.

WPI Students huddled around project

Global Computer Science Solutions

Students built machine learning apps personalizing education for thousands of Chinese university students.
📍Hangzhou, China

Project teams created interactive software transforming how visitors experience Reykjavik's cultural heritage.
 📍Reykjavik, Iceland

Local Community Partnerships 

Students developed comprehensive apps providing accessible mental health resources for local organizations.

Students built software streamlining patient care and medical data management for regional providers.

Industry-Sponsored Projects

Teams built isolation-centric operating systems and web security protecting corporate networks.

Students created machine learning algorithms and control systems for self-driving technology.
Skills

Skills You'll Gain

With WPI's computer science degree, you'll gain the hands-on experience and industry-ready skills to build powerful software systems, develop intelligent applications, and lead technological innovation at top companies worldwide. 

Explore opportunities to build skills such as:

Algorithm Design and Performance Optimization 

  • Build algorithms that handle millions of users using techniques like divide-and-conquer and dynamic programming to solve problems that seem impossible. 

  • Speed up software by analyzing how it performs and making it run faster with less memory. 

Full-Stack Development and Database Engineering 

  • Create complete web applications from front to back using modern frameworks, web services, and databases like SQL and NoSQL for real organizations. 

  • Design database systems that store, retrieve, and process data for everything from online stores to social platforms. 

Machine Learning and Intelligent Systems 

  • Train neural networks and build AI models using Python, TensorFlow, and scikit-learn that learn and adapt from real data. 

  • Create systems that understand language, recognize images, and make smart decisions using AI techniques. 

Professional Excellence 

  • Lead development teams through real projects, delivering working software for industry sponsors and community partners. 

  • Communicate technical solutions clearly while navigating real challenges around data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and how software affects society. 

Student Voice

“When I first came to WPI, I thought I would spend all my time studying for class, but I have also had the opportunity to meet and work with many people who share my passions and interests and who cheer me on in my endeavors. Whether it’s music, education, or climate change, I have been challenged to broaden my horizons and connect my computer science work with other subjects.” —Wilson Gramer ’26, BS in Computer Science 

Wilson Gramer ’26
Wilson Gramer ’26
BS in Computer Science

Wilson combines his love of teaching and technology with projects that expand what it means to work in STEM. [...]

Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right read more
Career

Computer Science Career & Salary Outlook

Career Path 

Industry Sector 

Entry Level (0–5 years) 

Mid-Level (5–10 years) 

Senior Level (10+ years) 

Software Development 

Emerging Tech

Software Engineer 
$133K 

Senior Software Engineer 
$173K 

Director of Engineering 
$280K 

Data Science & Analytics 

Emerging Tech

Data Scientist 
$113K 

Lead Data Scientist 
$150K 

Chief Data Officer 
$226K 

Security & Infrastructure 

Enterprise 

Information Security Analyst 
$125K 

Senior Security Architect 
$163K 

Vice President of Security 
$260K 

Database Systems 

Enterprise  

Database Architect 
$136K 

Senior Database Architect 
$182K 

Director of Data Systems 
$272K 

Research & Innovation 

Research & Development

Computer Research Scientist 
$141K 

Lead Research Scientist 
$188K 

Chief Research Officer 
$282K 

Network & Systems Architecture 

Enterprise  

Computer Network Architect 
$130K 

Senior Network Architect 
$169K 

Vice President of Infrastructure 
$260K 

Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Preview
Cost

Financing Your Future

College is a great investment in your future—and we’re here to help you plan for it. Explore WPI’s cost of attendance and learn how our Office of Financial Aid can guide you through options for funding your education. 

Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Financial Aid FAQs Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Cost of Attendance

Start Building Your Future Today

WPI’s simple formula helps students thrive: “Go to class. Do the work. Ask for help.” With our computer science degree, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and connections to create technology that changes the world. 

Similar Majors

Bioinformatics
Bachelor's Degree in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Bachelor's Degree in Interactive Media & Game Development (BS)
WPI students working on robotics project
Bachelor's Degree in Robotics Engineering