Computer science students work in a lab.

Computer Science

Voiland CollegeSchool of Electrical Engineering & Computer ScienceAcademicsUndergraduate ProgramComputer Science

Computer science is the study of computing systems and their use in problem solving, including the development and analysis of programs and the computing machinery that runs them. WSU’s computer science program emphasizes software design and testing. You can broaden your studies by working with an advisor to choose courses that fulfill the degree requirements and give you specialized knowledge in other areas, such as artificial intelligence, data science, high performance computing, human-computer interaction, security, software engineering, and more.

Two Degrees Offered

As a computer science major, you can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts curriculum.

  • The Bachelor of Science degree requires substantial basic and advanced computer science coursework and is the traditional computer science degree.
  • The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for multidisciplinary students who wish to learn the basics of computer science and apply it to a different field. This degree encourages a minor in another area, such as arts, biochemistry, economics, or criminal justice, among others.

Accreditation

The Washington State University programs in Computer Science, BS (Pullman) and Computer Science, BA (Pullman) are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

BS Accreditation
BA Accreditation

Strengths of the Program

  • WSU computer science alumni have become leaders in local and worldwide companies, universities, and other computing-related areas.
  • Learning labs include workstations for graphics and animation, operating systems based on Linux, networking, and microprocessor development.
  • Superb computer facilities include Unix and Windows workstations with high-speed networking and 10-gigabit internet.
  • Gain career strength in software engineering, operating systems, neural networks, data mining, parallel computing, computer security, networking, and programming languages.
  • Receive a solid technical background in math, science, and engineering.
  • Join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman — share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Careers

The demand for computer science professionals will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Average starting salaries are in the $80,000 to $100,000 range, sometimes with signing bonuses due to the high-demand market. As of 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual salary of $138,110 for software developers.

Hot careers for WSU computer science graduates are in software engineering, data science, networking, and computer animation. Companies that typically hire WSU graduates include Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard, Dell EMC, Expedia, Google, Intel, Boeing, and other small- and mid-sized companies that are in the computing industry or are looking for technical leadership.

Admission, Requirements & Courses

Following admission to WSU, a student may be admitted to a Computer Science major provided they meet the criteria outlined in the WSU Catalog. Once admitted to a major, a student will maintain good standing in their major by completing the required benchmarks as outlined in the catalog.

WSU Catalog: Bachelor of Science Admission criteria, major requirements, four-year plan, and courses.

WSU Catalog: Bachelor of Arts Admission criteria, major requirements, four-year plan, and courses.

We also offer a minor in Computer Science.

Helpful Information