Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+7% projected 2024โ€“2034

What They Do

Computer science teachers at the postsecondary level design and deliver courses covering topics from programming fundamentals to advanced artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. They prepare lectures, create assignments and exams, and guide students through complex technical concepts both in traditional classrooms and online learning environments. Beyond teaching, these professors often conduct original research in specialized areas like machine learning, data science, or computer networks, publishing their findings in academic journals and presenting at conferences. They advise undergraduate and graduate students on coursework and research projects, mentor doctoral candidates through dissertations, and serve on university committees. Many maintain connections with the tech industry through consulting work or collaborative projects. The role requires staying current with rapidly evolving technologies and programming languages while making abstract concepts accessible to students with varying skill levels. Successful computer science professors combine deep technical expertise with strong communication abilities and patience. They typically work in university settings with flexibility to balance teaching, research, and administrative duties, though heavy workloads during academic terms are common. The position offers opportunities to shape the next generation of software developers, data scientists, and tech innovators.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Computer Science(masters)Stanford University, CA
$199,761
Information Science/Studies(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$175,482
Computer Science(bachelors)California Institute of Technology, CA
$173,344
Computer Science(bachelors)Carnegie Mellon University, PA
$171,264
Management Information Systems and Services(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$170,595
Mathematics and Computer Science(bachelors)Harvey Mudd College, CA
$166,573
Computer Science(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$161,851
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Harvard University, MA
$158,673
Computer Science(masters)Washington State University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Bothell Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)City University of Seattle, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)Saint Martin's University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)Central Washington University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
$154,492
Computer Science(masters)Cornell University, NY
$153,588
Computer Science(bachelors)Cornell University, NY
$152,656
Computer Science(bachelors)Harvard University, MA
$152,251
Computer Science(bachelors)Brown University, RI
$151,065
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA
$150,671
Computer Science(bachelors)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$149,866
Computer Science(masters)University of California-Irvine, CA
$148,476
Computer Science(masters)University of California-San Diego, CA
$148,262
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)University of California-San Diego, CA
$146,806

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