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Computer science teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer science teacher. Computer science teachers usually study computer science, mathematics, or general education, specific areas. 65% of computer science teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 975 real computer science teacher resumes to see exactly what computer science teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer science teachers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online computer science teacher courses to help get the education required to be a computer science teacher.
There are certain computer science teacher certifications that you should consider. These computer science teacher certifications include Certified Instructional Technologist (CIT) and Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:).
What education do you need to become a computer science teacher?
What degree do you need to be a computer science teacher?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Master's, 24%
- Associate, 5%
- Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a computer science teacher?
- Computer Science, 29%
- Mathematics, 9%
- Business, 8%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for computer science teachers
| Computer science teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.29% |
| Texas A&M University | 8.79% |
| Appalachian State University | 5.49% |
| University of Washington | 5.49% |
| University of Delaware | 5.49% |
Best majors for computer science teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 28.7% |
| 2 | Mathematics | 9.0% |
| 3 | General Education, Specific Areas | 8.7% |
| 4 | Business | 8.4% |
| 5 | Education | 7.4% |
Best colleges for computer science teachers
The best colleges for computer science teachers are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A computer science teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for computer science teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become computer science teachers.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. DePaul University
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$39,975
Enrollment
14,280
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
20 best online courses for computer science teachers
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Top 10 most affordable universities for computer science teachers
The most affordable schools for computer science teachers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for computer science teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for computer science teachers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer science teachers
The hardest universities for computer science teachers to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for computer science teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for computer science teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer science teachers
The easiest schools for computer science teachers to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer science teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for computer science teachers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
4. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
10. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,148
Average computer science teacher salary by education level
| Computer science teacher education level | Computer science teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $47,606 |
| Doctorate Degree | $59,912 |
Computer science teacher education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025