Purdue's computer science program is highly regarded, with a strong reputation for producing well-rounded graduates. The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education.
Purdue's computer science program is highly interdisciplinary, with courses offered in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction. This allows students to explore different areas of interest and develop a broad range of skills.
One of the key strengths of Purdue's computer science program is its research opportunities. The university is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Purdue Cyber Lab and the Discovery Park.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the top bachelor's in computer science degree programs, we first identified over 100 colleges and universities in the US with computer science programs. We narrowed our original pool of schools using a point system.
We used a rigorous point system to evaluate each school, but the exact methodology is not specified in the provided article section.
Additional reading: Best Comp Sci Masters Programs
Popularity
Purdue's computer science program is a popular choice among students. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 439 bachelor's degrees in computer science were handed out, a decrease of 8% from the previous year.
The university's master's program in computer science is also well-regarded, with 70 students receiving their degree in 2022. This makes Purdue the #52 most popular school for compsci master's degree candidates in the country.
Purdue's doctoral program in computer science is particularly notable, with 26 students receiving their degree in 2022. This makes the school the #13 most popular school in the United States for this category of students.
Here's a breakdown of Purdue's popularity in computer science programs:
Note that the number of bachelor's degrees awarded decreased by 8% from the previous year, but the master's and doctoral programs remain strong.
Computer Science Programs
Purdue University offers a range of computer science programs, from Basic Certificates in CompSci to Doctorate Degrees in CompSci.
The university's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited and has study tracks in areas like computational science and engineering, computer graphics and visualization, and machine intelligence.
Purdue's computer science program ranks among the top 20 in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and graduates feel prepared to go to work or enter a graduate-level program.
Lower division course requirements help students establish a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, programming methodology and skills, and computer organization.
The program also offers concentrations that let students dig deeper into a subject area, such as software engineering or cybersecurity.
Here are the different degree options available at Purdue:
- Basic Certificates in CompSci
- Bachelor’s Degree in CompSci
- Master’s Degree in CompSci
- Doctorate Degree in CompSci
Graduates of the program enter the workforce or a graduate-level CS program, and can choose to double major in computer science and computer engineering or earn a BA in CS.
The computer science programs also offer a 5-year honors BS/MS path, and students can choose between a concentration in software engineering or cybersecurity.
Students can also choose to complete a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science without a concentration, which focuses on computer design, computation processes for problem solving, and information transfer and transformation.
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These programs prepare students for careers in computers and engineering, and graduates have held jobs as software engineers, data scientists, and computer systems analysts.
Students can also choose from a variety of interest areas or specializations, including artificial intelligence, data science, and human-computer interaction.
The school offers specializations, which allow students to focus on an area of interest and acquire in-depth knowledge.
The computer science program has around 20 research areas and a great number of research hubs, meaning students get hands-on learning and training for research and tech entrepreneurship.
Cost and Tuition
Purdue University offers a range of tuition options for undergraduate students. The average part-time tuition for out-of-state students is $948 per credit hour.
In-state students, on the other hand, enjoy a significantly lower tuition rate of $348 per credit hour. This makes Purdue an attractive option for students who are residents of Indiana.
The total cost of attendance for in-state students is broken down into several categories, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, on-campus room and board, and other expenses. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs:
This table shows the estimated costs for in-state and out-of-state students, giving you a better idea of what to expect when planning your finances.
Graduate Salaries
The median salary of compsci students who receive their bachelor's degree at Purdue is a whopping $94,786, significantly higher than the national median of $70,400.
This means that compsci graduates from Purdue can expect a substantial increase in their earning potential compared to their peers from other universities.
Purdue compsci graduates can look forward to a comfortable monthly student loan payment of just $567, a relatively manageable amount given their high salaries.
Diversity and Students
The diversity of students in the computer science program at Purdue University is an important factor to consider when evaluating its ranking. 62 students earned a master's degree in compsci from Purdue in the 2021-2022 academic year.
About 26% of these graduates were women, indicating a need for greater female representation in the program. The remaining 74% were men.
The ethnic background of compsci graduates from Purdue University - Main Campus is also worth noting. In the master's program, Asian students made up 7 of the 62 graduates, while Hispanic or Latino students made up 1. Non-Resident Aliens accounted for 34 of the graduates.
Here's a breakdown of the ethnic backgrounds of compsci graduates from Purdue University - Main Campus:
These numbers highlight the need for greater diversity in the computer science program at Purdue University.
Computer Science Bachelor's Diversity
Purdue University's computer science bachelor's program has a predominantly male student body, with 79% of graduates in 2022 being men.
The program is largely dominated by Asian students, making up 29% of the 439 graduates, with 127 students representing this ethnic background.
A concerning lack of diversity is evident in the absence of Black or African American students in the program.
In contrast, the program has a significant international presence, with 31% of graduates being Non-Resident Aliens, totaling 135 students.
Here's a breakdown of the ethnic background of Purdue's computer science graduates:
Computer Diversity Program
The Computer Diversity Program at Purdue University is making strides, but there's still room for improvement. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 62 students earned a master's degree in computer science, with about 26% of these graduates being women.
The ethnic diversity of the program is also worth noting. While the exact numbers are small, it's clear that the program is not yet representative of the broader population.
Here's a breakdown of the ethnic background of recent graduates:
It's worth noting that the program has a significant number of international students, with 34 Non-Resident Aliens earning a master's degree in computer science.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purdue a Tier 1 College?
Purdue is a Tier-1 research institution, recognized for its cutting-edge research and innovative approach to discovery. This designation reflects Purdue's commitment to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of science and technology.
Sources
- University Overall Rankings - Computer Science (scimagoir.com)
- Top 50 Best Undergraduate Computer Science Schools (computersciencedegreehub.com)
- Purdue University : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details (topuniversities.com)
- Computer Science at Purdue University - Main Campus (collegefactual.com)
- Bridge Program (purdue.edu)
- core courses (purdue.edu)
- $22,812 (per year in-state), $41,614 (per year out-of-state) (purdue.edu)
- course (edx.org)
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