PhD in Computer Science in the USA: Fees, Top Colleges, Placement, and Salaries

PhD in Computer Science in the USA: Fees, Top Colleges, Placement, and Salaries

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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated On - Aug 9, 2024

Highlights - 

  • You can pursue a PhD in cse in USA without a Master's. However, these are exceptional cases, and you must submit 3 proper LORs, a resume, and an SOP 
  • PhD students are admitted with at least four years of guaranteed support in the form of a teaching or research assistantship during the academic year.
  • PhD in computer science in USA universities like Harvard requires you to serve as a teaching fellow in one semester of the second year.
  •  You are also expected to complete ten graduate curriculum requirements including -Introduction to Graduate Studies in Computer Science, and additional course selection is tailored based on your experience, research track, and interests
  • The PhD Computer Science syllabus covers topics such as computer architecture, data fields and structures, complexity and advanced algorithms, statistical methods in AI, and programming language principles.

Want to pursue a PhD in Computer Science in USA but don't know which colleges to look for? A doctorate in Computer Science builds on prior knowledge, education, and experience in the field. The degree typically takes 4–5 years to complete and involves independent study and research in a focused area of interest. PhD in computer science in USA equips you with knowledge and expertise for developing leading algorithms for AI and quantum computing research. PhD in USA for computer science is offered by more than 200 universities. PhD in cs in USA offers an average salary of USD 98,802 (INR 82,38,240) reflecting the demand for your expertise. US student visa has an acceptance rate of 85%. Which makes it easy for international students to apply for a PhD in Computer Science in USA. PhD in computer science in USA eligibility is given below - 

  • Transcript – Grades and classes
  • 4 years bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a US college or an equivalent to that from an International college.
  • GRE scores & TOEFL scores
  • Personal Statement
  • Previous research experience (possibly in industry).
  •  Recommendation letters
  • Awards and extracurricular activities

If you aspire to pursue a PhD in computer science from the USA, then employment opportunities are abundant. Some might go to academia, or work as a research assistant, etc. Over the last 5 years, 66% have chosen industry jobs, 31% academic positions, and 3% government roles. Top companies that hire PhD candidates from computer science are - Amazon, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Cisco, Meta, etc. 

Some of the fully funded PhD programs in computer science in USA are offered by Stanford, Harvard, and many Ivy League universities. To be eligible for a fully-funded PhD program in computer science in USA at Stanford -

  • You need to complete three broad requirements in mathematics and theoretical foundations, computer systems, and applications. The funding covers your tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary
  • The majority of Ph.D. students in Computer Science are sponsored by a research or teaching assistantship in Computer Science or the School of Engineering (SOE), a fellowship, or an approved assistantship through a partnering research organization

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Top Universities offering PhD in Computer Science in USA

There are more than 100 universities offering PhD in Computer Science in USA and following are a few of the top universities providing a better education and future to the students who are interested in pursuing PhD in Computer Science in USA. Some of the best universities in USA for PhD in computer science are given below - 

University Program Deadlines Total Tuition Fees (USD)
Stanford University PhD in Computer Science December 3, 2024 $33,238/yr
Harvard University PhD in Computer Science Application Closed $70,126
University of California, Berkeley PhD in Computer Science Application Closed $72,412
Cornell University PhD in Computer Science Application Closed $24,800
Northwestern University PhD in Computer Science Application Closed 74,752

Why study PhD in Computer Science in USA?

  1. There are around 145 PhD programs in Computer Science at 145 universities in United States giving the students a better chance at getting into a good university for their PhD in Computer Science in USA.
  2. PhD students have the option of choosing and applying for a variety of scholarships to study in US universities. Some of the universities even offer fully funded PhDs in Computer Science in USA.
  3. US student visa has an acceptance rate of 85%. Which makes it easy for international students to apply for a PhD in Computer Scinece in USA.

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Admissions

The admission process for PhD in Computer Science in USA can be different for different universities. But the general requirements and the eligibility criteria remain somewhat similar to each other. Like the documents required by all the universities include statement of purpose (SOP), letter of recommendation (LOR), transcripts and resume.

PhD in Computer Science in USA Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria defines the general requirements stated by US universities that every applicant should keep in mind while applying for PhD in Computer Science in USA. This includes the academic requirements, minimum GPA, english proficiency requirements, documents needed.

  • Academic Degree- 4 years of bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a US college or an equivalent to that from an International college
  • GRE- GRE is not required by almost all universities.
  • English Proficiency Test Score- As IELTS is not accepted by all the universities, a TOEFL score is required with a minimum score of 90, and 26 or higher on the speaking section.
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)- A statement of purpose is required by all the universities, it is a 1-2 page letter specifying why you want to research in this field and what are your future plans.
  • Letters of Recommendation (LOR)- A minimum of 3 LOR’s are required by all the universities.
  • Transcripts- It has a detailed record of all the subjects you have studied with your scores in the form of grades given by the institution of study.

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Admission Requirements

Every university has their own minimum requirements for admission in the PhD in Computer Science in USA. The following table shows the specific admission requirements by top universities offering PhD in Computer Science in USA:

University Academic Requirement TOEFL Score Additional Documents
Stanford University 4 years of bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a US college or an equivalent to that from an International college 100 SOP, 3 LOR, Resume, Transcripts
Harvard University Bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering Speaking score- 26 or above SOP, 3 LOR, Transcripts
University of California, Berkeley Bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering 100 SOP, 3 LOR, Transcripts
Cornell University Bachelor’s degree in any discipline Speaking: 27 or above Reading: 20 or above Listening: 15 or above Writing: 20 or above SOP, 3 LOR, Transcripts
Northwestern University Bachelor’s degree in any discipline 90 or above (26 or higher on Speaking Section) SOP, 3 LOR, Transcripts

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Cost of study

It can become costly for students if you are planning to study in USA, especially a PhD considering it's a 4-6 year long program. The cost of study can be different from student to student depending on the university they are attending and the city or town they are living in.

The average total cost of studying in USA can be approximately 50,000 USD- 70,000 USD (40-56 lakh INR).

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for pursuing PhD in Computer Science in USA is different for every student, it depends on the university they are attending and the duration of the program, which is 4-6 years on an average. The following table shows the total fees of the program stated by top universities for pursuing Phd in Computer Science in USA

University Total Tuition Fees (USD) Fee for Indian Students (INR)
Stanford University 104,223 84.40 Lakhs
Harvard University 69,564 56.33 Lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 72,412 58.64 Lakhs
Cornell University 29,500 23.89 Lakhs
Northwestern University 74,752 60.53 Lakhs

Cost of living in USA

An international student's annual cost of living in the United States is on average 25,000 USD which roughly estimates to 20 lakhs INR. This can be different for every student depending on the place they are living in.

Expense Type Average Annual Expense (USD) Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation 1300-2000 1,05,800-1,63,000
Meals 35 2,850
Transportation(bus pas) 66 5,400
Health Insurance 500-1000(yearly) 40,700-81,300
Personal Expenses 120 9,760

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Scholarships

Studying in a country like America can become heavy on the pocket for international students. To lighten this burden a lot of government and private bodies provide scholarships for international students with different eligibility criterias and award values. Following shows a few of the scholarships offered to students in USA.

Scholarship Awarded by (private/government/university) Eligibility Award Value

Tata Scholarship

Cornell University

Need Based

Variable amount

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Program

Private funding

Merit based, Bachelor's degree(equivalent to a US bachelor's degree in any field)

1,50,000 USD

National Overseas Scholarship

Government Bodies

Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination

Variable amount

QS Scholarships

Trust An offer of admission from the concerned university in Australia, UK, or another country, within the scholarship deadline. Variable Amount

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Jobs and Placement opportunities

Computer Science is a very lucrative field of research, and PhD students can benefit a lot from this industry.The following table shows the job opportunities in USA available after completion of your PhD program specializing in computer science.

PhD in Computer Science in USA: Jobs and Placement opportunities

Profession Average Salary (USD) Salary for Indian Student (INR)
Robotics Control Engineer 80,891 65.51 Lakhs
Senior Technical Consultant 109,681 88.82 Lakhs
Digital Signal Processing Engineer 100,768 81.60 Lakhs
Research Scientist 85,514 69.25 Lakhs
Research Engineer 83,017 67.23 Lakhs
Computer Scientist 81,037 65.62 Lakhs

PhD in Computer Science in USA vs Canada

The following table differentiates between PhD in Computer Science in USA and PhD in Computer Science in Canada on the basis of average tuition fees, cost of living, duration of the program, visa requirements among other parameters.

Parameter Degree in USA Degree in Canada
Duration 4-6 Years 4 Years
Average tuition fees 30,000 USD-80,000 USD (24-64 lakh INR) 30,000 CAD-60,000 CAD (18-36 lakh INR)
Cost of living 1,800 USD 1,430 CAD
Admission Requirement 4 years of a bachelor’s degree 1st Class in Bachelor's degree (4 Years)
Visa F1 Student Visa Study Permit
English language proficiency tests TOEFL IELTS, PTE, TOEFL
Average Salary 85,000 USD (69 lakh INR) 70,000 CAD (42 lakh INR)

In the Computer Science program, your work will involve a wide range of areas including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, economics and computer science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces, operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks, architectures, program languages, and visualization. It is a very lucrative field for the students aiming to make a career in the field of computer science, students can apply for a post study work visa in USA and get jobs with an average salary of 85,000 USD (69 lakh INR).

FAQs

Ques. How many years is PhD in computer science in the USA?

Ans. You can complete your PhD in computer science from USA in 5 years.

Ques. Is it worth doing PhD in computer science in the USA?

Ans. If you want to advance your career in the academic field, then pursuing a PhD in computer science will be a good decision.

Ques. How much does it cost to do a PhD in computer science in the US?

Ans. The average cost for pursuing PhD in computer science from the USA is 30,000 USD- 80,000 USD. For an Indian student, this means spending around 24-64 lakh INR for the entire course.

Ques. What are the job opportunities after a PhD in computer science?

Ans. Job opportunities are abundant after PhD in computer science like - Graduate Software Engineer jobs, Computer Scientist jobs, Chief Information Security Officer jobs, Application Developer jobs, Database Administrator jobs, Curriculum Developer jobs, Operations Engineer jobs, and Junior Developer jobs.

Ques. Can I get financial support while pursuing a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans. Yes, many PhD programs offer financial support in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships to cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for living expenses.

Ques. What are the admission requirements for a PhD program in Computer Science?

Ans. Admission requirements usually include a bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science or a related field, strong academic background, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a statement of purpose outlining your research interests and goals.

Ques. Can I pursue a PhD in Computer Science part-time while working?

Ans. You surely can pursue PhD in CS even while working, since there are many online PhD programs as well.

Ques. What is the difference between a PhD and a Master's in Computer Science?

Ans. A PhD is a research-focused degree where you contribute original knowledge to the field through a dissertation. A Master's degree typically involves coursework and may include a research project, but it's not as extensive as a PhD.

Ques. What kind of research can I do during a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans. Research in a PhD program can cover a wide range of areas such as machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, computer vision, natural language processing, and more, depending on your interests and the focus of your program.

Ques. Is there any age limit for pursuing PhD in computer science in USA?

Ans. There are no restrictions set for doing PhD in computer science in the US or any other country.

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