TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Building a career in computer and information science appears to be an increasingly attractive path, especially in the wake of digital adoption. But long before making that commitment, it’s advisable to embark on an educational journey at the best colleges for computer science.
Times Higher Education provides this perspective through its 2026 subject rankings, which evaluate institutions worldwide.
At the very top, the University of Oxford unsurprisingly claimed the highest overall score of 97.7 across key performance metrics, including teaching, research quality, industry income, and international outlook. The rankings assessed 1,165 universities from 84 countries and territories
Here are the top 10 of the best colleges for computer science in 2026.
List of the Best Colleges for Computer Science 2026
1. University of Oxford - Score: 97.7
The University of Oxford has been ranked first in THE’s best colleges for computer science ranking in 2026. Its remarkable performance underscores its position at the top of the discipline for the eighth consecutive year.
Of all the assessed categories, the research-driven institution is best performing at the teaching measure, earning a near-perfect score of 99.9. This result reflects Oxford’s strength in balancing classroom excellence with cutting-edge research output, which also supports practical problem-solving and real-world applications.
2. University of Cambridge - Score: 97.1
Closely following Oxford, the University of Cambridge stands out for its research environment. Its excellence in computer science can be traced back to the 1930s, when the university began laying the foundations that continue to support students in developing practical programming skills and advanced hardware systems.
As the nation’s first computer science department, Cambridge has long demonstrated deep collaboration with the technology industry. This enduring relationship, combined with strong performance in innovation across fields such as machine learning and computer systems, continues to define the university’s global reputation.
3. ETH Zurich - Score: 96.3
Named among the best universities in Europe, ETH Zurich further reaffirms its excellence in computer science. The Switzerland-based institution offers a wide range of specialization pathways within the discipline, fostering a diverse and thriving academic community.
Since its founding in 1981, ETH Zurich’s Department of Computer Science has been dedicated to serve as a leading interface between mathematics, engineering, and the natural sciences.
Today, the department continues to maintain strong ties with a wide network of top universities worldwide, as well as globally recognized research centers.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Score: 96.2
MIT placed fourth in the best colleges for computer science ranking, driven by its outstanding performance in the industry income metric, where it earned a perfect score.
The department spans a broad range of research areas, from AI in healthcare and life sciences to computer architecture and robotics, which all aimed at addressing critical societal challenges. As a result, MIT consistently produces some of the highest-paid graduates in the field.
5. Princeton University - Score: 96.1
Princeton University performs strongly in both research quality and research environment, a distinction that highlights the department’s far-reaching impact across multiple research domains.
This strength is reinforced by interdisciplinary centers such as the AI Lab, the Center for Information Technology Policy, and the Center for Statistics and Machine Learning.
While its overall score was weighed down by a comparatively lower international outlook metric, Princeton remains a highly attractive institution for students from around the world.
6. Stanford University - Score: 95.9
Similar to Princeton, Stanford University also retains a near-perfect score in research quality at 99.9. The department extends its mission beyond academic learning, with a strong emphasis on preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
This commitment is successfully reflected in the fact that computer science is the largest undergraduate major at Stanford.
7. Carnegie Mellon University - Score: 95.5
For more than 25 years, the Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science has been a pioneer in the field, including the introduction of the nation’s first bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence in 2018.
Excelling in areas such as programming languages and AI, the institution extends its impact beyond academia by working closely with agencies and industry partners to develop technologies that reach real-world end users.
8. Harvard University - Score: 93.8
Harvard University ranked as one of the best colleges for computer science, delivering a balanced performance across research environment and research quality metrics. Its computer science offerings continue to expand through interdisciplinary research.
Even better, the ecosystem is further strengthened as the department applies a borderless approach to collaboration, spanning the school itself, the broader university, as well as partnerships with industry and government.
9. Imperial College London - Score: 93.5
At Imperial College London, computer scientists are encouraged to apply their knowledge to solving real-world problems. This philosophy has resulted in a strong research environment score, with students learning alongside world-leading researchers.
The department is also known for providing high-quality facilities that enable students to fully engage in hands-on learning, experimentation, and innovation.
10. Peking University - Score: 93.2
Rounding out the list is Peking University, whose score of 93.2 has propelled it into the top 10 for the first time. The institution earned a perfect score in industry income, reflecting its close ties with major technology organizations, including IBM China Research Institute, Intel Labs, and HP Labs.
On the academic front, Peking University also maintains strong partnerships with leading universities abroad, such as UCLA, the University of Tokyo, and the University of Technology Sydney.
As demand for digital skills continues to rise worldwide, these leading colleges remain at the forefront of shaping the next generation of innovators and technology leaders. For a similar discovery, let’s take a look at the best math colleges in the United States.
Read: 10 Best Cheap Colleges with Dorms in U.S. for Budget-Conscious Students
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