Computer Science, BS

Hard-coded with purpose

Create software that matters in the epicenter of technology. The computer science program at USF will teach you, first and foremost, to be a great software engineer — the kind that gets hired before graduation by the startup (or tech giant) down the street. Even better, you will know how to use those skills to change the world.

REQUEST INFO

APPLY TO USF

VISIT USF

REQUEST

APPLY

VISIT

What makes computer science different at USF?

The computer science programs at USF emphasize project-based learning where students practice programming, debugging, and problem solving—because, like musicians, developers improve only through consistent hands-on work. As AI becomes an essential part of the craft, USF integrates coding with AI into every class, continuing its tradition of adapting to emerging technologies.”

Greg BensonFaculty

Prepare to
Succeed

Our Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offers you energy, experiences, and opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Learn at the Source

CS internships at USF give students more room for variety – from highly structured training with the likes of Amazon or Intel to do-it-all placements with bootstrapped startups eager to make their mark.

Explore Careers

Student in lab wears a virtual reality control unit

Apply What You Know

Spend 15 weeks working on a team, paired with industry mentors, to tackle real-world projects around the Bay Area. You’ll make contacts that will be invaluable as you graduate.

Capstone Projects

Become an AI Expert

Join the AI Concentration at USF. Explore the basics of AI, its ethics, and social impact. Then dive into machine learning, deep learning, and data mining. Discover how to use AI to build a better world.

AI Concentration

Two professors walk down a hallway talking to each other

Tap Faculty Expertise

Use generative AI to make custom music management systems. Examine how memes and misinformation start and spread, or detect gerrymandering in political redistricting. Our faculty will pull you into research work they love.

Meet Our Faculty

Student points to computations on a white board

Go Farther, Faster

Our 4+1 CS program lets you earn both your bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time and get 50 percent off your last year’s tuition to boot.

4+1 Program

$102,108

average first-year salary for USF CS grads

2023 USF First Destination Survey

90%

In jobs or grad school after graduation

2022 USF First Destination Survey

37%

Women in major
(2x the national average!)

2023 USF Census

Top 25%

in undergraduate computer science

U.S. News & World Report 2026

What’s it like inside a
USF computer science classroom?

No CS class is larger than 30 students, so the 1:1 time with faculty is plentiful and personal. Professors will be looking at your code every day, making sure you’ve mastered each topic and your code is readable and usable by others — no floundering alone online or in huge lecture halls. Alongside foundational courses, you can explore electives in areas you love and that our faculty are expert in, whether that’s human-computer interaction, operating systems, cloud computing, or data visualization. Rather than “write a paper on this” you’ll hear “do this internship with this company I know.”

Learn About Our Curriculum

Athene Emeli Marston ’25

Philosophy & Computer Science

Where tech and humanities meet

It’s encouraging to be recognized for having a STEM major and a humanities major. The two might seem very different but actually there’s a lot of overlap.”

Athene Emeli Marston ’25

Philosophy & Computer Science

Meet Athene

Join the Horizon Collective

Starting in your first semester at USF, find your people, your purpose, and your profession by tackling real-world interdisciplinary projects in sustainability, AI, and health.

Explore the Horizon Collective