Three students looking at computers

A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UW-Milwaukee positions you at the center of one of today’s most dynamic and high-demand fields.

At UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, you’ll gain the technical depth, hands-on experience, and industry exposure needed to launch a powerful, future-proof career.

A Curriculum Built for Real-World Innovation

Our ABET-accredited computer science program is among the top 25% programs nationally in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings and gives you the rigorous foundation employers expect—data structures, algorithms, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, and more. With a CS BS from UWM, you’ll graduate with the skill set to solve complex problems and build technologies that shape the world.

Hands-On Learning with Industry Tools

From day one, you’ll work in dedicated computing and engineering labs using the same technologies and platforms relied on by leading companies. Project-based courses ensure that you don’t just learn theory—you apply it, build it, test it, and improve it.

Unmatched Access to Milwaukee’s Tech Ecosystem

UWM sits in Wisconsin’s economic and innovation hub. Our strong partnerships with local and national companies create a steady pipeline of paid internships, research opportunities, senior design projects, and immediate job connections after graduation.

And many students receive job offers before they graduate.

Research Opportunities in an R1 University

As one of Wisconsin’s two Carnegie R1 research universities, UWM offers opportunities rarely available to undergraduates. You can contribute to faculty-led research in areas like AI, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, computational biology, and more—experiences that make you stand out in graduate school or industry.

A Supportive, Career-Focused Community

Small class sizes, accessible faculty, tutoring labs, and student organizations like CS Connect and Women in Computing help you build community while sharpening your technical talents.

Program Type

Major, Minor

Program Format

On Campus

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Computer Science Career Outlook

Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033, with an average median income of $105,990 in 2024. *

* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Two men standing side by side. The one on the right has glasses and is older.
Daniel Spiewak (’12 BS computer science), Distinguished Engineer at NVIDIA, visited with Computer Science Professor John Boyland when he lectured on the UWM campus in April. Read the full article about his work making vehicles autonomous.

What to Expect

Increased speed to graduation

Our new and redesigned curriculum makes it easier and faster for you to complete your degree. You’ll also find greater flexibility in the electives available to customize your experience. 

What makes our program stand out

This major will provide you with a strong and broad technical background in computer science and related areas.

You can elect to specialize in one of these areas:

  • Artificial intelligence, data mining & machine learning
  • Computer graphics & human-computer interfaces
  • Cybersecurity
  • Medical & bio-informatics
  • Programming languages & compilers

UWM Computer Science laptop requirement

Details for what kind of computer you will need

Honors

You will be eligible for these honors in the major during your studies and upon completing your degree.

Students at UWM have many opportunities to earn honors recognition.

Get hands-on CS experience

UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science program provides many opportunities to pair classroom learning with hands-on experiences outside the classroom. The college’s location in Wisconsin’s largest city, with a broad network of industry partnerships, gives you easy access to well-paid internships and co-ops, as well as other important opportunities to enhance your resume. 

Did you know? 

  • $76,000 average starting salary
  • Students often earn more than $8,000 in full-time, work-related internships in summer.
  • SOURCE: UWM First Destination Survey for the College of Engineering & Applied Science, 2023-2024

Internships & Co-ops

You’ll have many hands-on opportunities to develop your skills and determine what type of career experience you would like after graduation, with opportunities to earn a significant paycheck in nearby internships and co-ops over summer breaks and even during the academic year.

Here are some of the businesses where our computer science students have had internships, co-ops or launched their careers:

  • Amazon
  • Baird
  • Blue Yonder
  • Direct Supply
  • FIS
  • GE Healthcare
  • Johnson Controls
  • Kohl’s
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Rockwell Automation
Alrayan Amer explains what he learning from his internship at Northwestern Mutual
Capstones/Senior Design Projects

In your senior year, you’ll team up with other students to complete a Capstone Project, during which you’ll use what you’ve learned in class to complete an experience similar to a real-world employer project. Past students have created online games, apps, management software and more.

View senior design projects here.

Student Organizations

CS Connect

The mission of CS Connect is to help Computer Science students gain a practical understanding of how to further their career goals in computing.

Robotics Association at UWM

Members design, build, test, program and compete in robotic competitions against universities from around the world.

See our college’s Student Organization page to find more information and who to contact about getting involved.

Resource Rooms & Teaching Labs

Connected Systems Institute

This lab works with students, faculty and private sector partners to help ensure that industry has the talent it needs to benefit fully from Industrial Internet of Things connectivity.

Resource Rooms

UWM students have a wealth of additional resources available to them within the College of Engineering & Applied Science. From computer labs and tutoring resources to teaching labs and spaces to create or collaborate. Details here.

Research Opportunities

Our students have the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in leading-edge research in areas such as:

  • Object-oriented programming
  • Cryptography
  • Computational robotics
  • Intelligent dialog systems
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Extensible languages

A benefit of attending a top tier R1 research university is the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and to participate in the Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program. The SURF program helps you to improve your professional preparation through research by closely working with our faculty to explore, discover, and transform ideas into reality. SURF students also receive funding for their efforts.

Graduate and undergraduate students also have the opportunity to participate in the annual Poster Competition, providing them with excellent opportunities to share their work with judges from industry.

Student Startup Challenge

Directed by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, the UWM Student Startup Challenge is an optional, co-curricular program that fosters our students’ innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. You can work alone or as part of a team as you gain the skills that come from entrepreneurial experience.

We’re here to help

Our dedicated Center for Student Experience & Talent (SET) works with our students to prepare them for a career after graduation.

Where you’ll work

Computer scientists work for large corporations, small startups, non-profits, academia and the government.

Photo of Ben

Having an internship provided me with large-scale practical experience that will help me in my future career.


Ben (Internship, then Career Launch at Amazon)Alumnus, BS Computer Science

What you might do

Computer science graduates enjoy some of the strongest career outcomes in the job market. With steady demand across every sector—healthcare, finance, manufacturing, entertainment, government, tech—you’ll be prepared for roles such as:

  • Software developer
  • Data scientist
  • Cybersecurity analyst
  • Cloud architect
  • AI/ML engineer
  • Systems analyst
  • UX/UI engineer
  • Mobile or web developer

Whether your goal is to work for a major tech company, join a fast-growing startup, or pursue graduate school, UWM’s BS in Computer Science gives you the foundation to excel.

Advising

  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names M-R
  • Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names A-E
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning F-L
  • Prospective Transfer Student Liaison
  • Senior Advisor, Undergraduate Advising
  • Students with last names beginning S-Z
  • Prospective Student Liaison

Tutoring

  • Retention Coordinator, Tutoring
  • Student Support Center Coordinator
  • Freshmen Orientation Instructor

Computer Science Faculty

  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Affiliate Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Health Informatics & Administration
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science
  • Graduate Program Director, Health Care Informatics
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Department Chair, Computer Science
  • Teaching Faculty II, Computer Science
  • Teaching Faculty II, Computer Science
  • Richard and Joanne Grigg Professorship
  • Professor and Department Chair, Mechanical Engineering
  • Affiliate Professor, Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering
  • Switzer Research Distinguished Fellow
  • Teaching Faculty 3, Computer Science
  • Web Development Certificate Coordinator
  • Teaching Faculty 3, Computer Science
  • Assistant Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Biomedical Engineering
  • Director, Big Data Analytics and Visualization Lab
  • Assistant Professor, Computer Science
  • Professor, Electrical Engineering
  • Professor, Computer Science
  • Associate Professor, Computer Science
Accreditation
The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Contact
Computer Science
Contact Info: ceas-cs@uwm.edu

Street Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
3200 North Cramer Street
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Mailing Address
College of Engineering & Applied Science
P.O. Box 784
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784