Your Computer Science Career Starts Here

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Computer Science with a Liberal Arts Edge

Help Shape the Future

Today, computers underpin every part of our society, from medicine to government — and a background in computer science is a qualification that transcends industries. But to be an innovative leader in the technological revolution, you’ll need more than just technical skills. As a computer science student at William & Mary, you’ll build a strong foundation in computing technology and the critical thinking and communication abilities you need to quickly climb the corporate ladder or shape policy.

Our rigorous but flexible curriculum allows you to customize your degree to fit your goals. And with top-tier faculty, small classes, and a diverse, welcoming student body, you’ll have the support you need to thrive. That’s why our students graduate prepared for anything, from working in Big Tech and launching startups to launching NASA rockets.

At William & Mary, we pair top-notch technical education with a unique interdisciplinary approach.

Major or Minor in Computer Science

Computer science can be used anywhere. Whether I want to go into a big tech company or help my friend build a website for their business, CS opens a lot of doors into many realms. Plus, at W&M, there’s little competition, instead, everyone is so supportive in making sure we all succeed.

Heather Acuña '25
Computer Science major and Data Science minor from Long Grove, IL

Put the theory you learn in the classroom to the test with regular hackathons, contests, and conferences, and contribute to research that matters. Our world-class computer science faculty are working on problems that will affect all of us, like creating better human-computer interfaces for driverless cars and addressing digital privacy and security concerns. They receive support from organizations including the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, DARPA, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, NASA, the Gates Foundation, and Big Tech. They also regularly work with two nearby national research facilities: the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC) and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). In addition to working alongside faculty and graduate students, some computer science majors choose to pursue substantial original research to earn an honors thesis.

Gain Hands-On Experience and Contribute to Research

Study in our brand-new, state-of-the-art Integrated Science Center building, which houses the departments of computer science, data science, and physics. With dedicated maker spaces, a student-centered design that maximizes collaboration, and all of the latest computing equipment, you’ll be equipped to take on projects of any size or scale.

Find Your Place at William & Mary

PLAN YOUR VISITATTEND AN INFO SESSIONAPPLY NOW

Williamsburg,
Virginia

admiss@wm.edu
757-221-4223

#16

ranked by the WSJ for earnings in tech

Alumni earn top salaries.

33%

of our computer science students are female

That’s nearly 50% higher than the national average.

45%

of our computer science students are people of color

We’re working hard to diversify the field of computer science.

largest class size

You won’t find massive lectures at William & Mary.

Top 10

public university for internships

According to the Princeton Review.

$99,638

average starting salary

For 2018-2022 W&M computer science majors.

Interested in computer science? Our introductory courses are open to all students; no technical background required. And if you want to dive deeper, you have several options to choose from.

The computer science B.S. offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum for students pursuing technical roles, with specializations available in cybersecurity and in artificial intelligence and machine learning. You’ll gain expertise in programming, data structures, algorithms, computer organization, and software engineering and dive into areas like artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, networking, databases, and cybersecurity through a wide range of elective courses.

The computer science B.A. gives students a broader overview of computer science and its applications in diverse fields. Alongside core computer science courses and electives, you can choose from a wide array of courses from other departments, like data science, geology, or linguistics, to personalize your degree to your interests and goals.

The computer science minor is open to students from any major, and our faculty are eager to help you apply what you learn to your area of specialization, whether that’s English literature or biology.

Not sure you can commit to just one field? At William & Mary, there’s no need to. We welcome double majors. Majors frequently paired with computer science include math, data science, and finance — but we’ve seen every possible combination, from computer science and art to computer science and Japanese.

Computer scientists are reshaping how we live. Help change things for the better — and build a rewarding career in nearly any field — with a computer science degree from William & Mary.

Show Me the Numbers

Alumni Outcomes

Employers consistently report the exceptional quality and well-rounded training of W&M computer science graduates. Here are a few of the places where recent students have landed their first jobs:

Our Curriculum

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Build new AI and machine learning models and apply AI to help humans make better decisions, manage resource-intensive tasks, and address pressing global issues.

Cybersecurity

Protect computer systems from outside attackers — and protect users’ privacy — by using principles of systems security, microarchitecture security, software security, and addressing the human factors of security.

Human-Centered Computing

Use tools including artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and advanced wearables to take on challenges ranging from game design to disaster response.

World-Class Facilities

Clubs & Organizations

William & Mary offers 65+ computer science courses. Examples of course themes and their applications include:

Many William & Mary students also go on to earn graduate degrees in computer science. Recent graduates have attended schools including Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, University of California, Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Wisconsin, and Yale — and some have stayed on as graduate students at William & Mary.

Build new skills, grow as a leader, and make like-minded friends in clubs related to computer science. Options include:

Looking for something different? It’s easy to start your own club!