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If the phrase 鈥渢ech bros鈥� is any indication, computer science is a historically male-dominated field. The numbers back this up: Despite the fact that women earn about 57% of all bachelor鈥檚 degrees, only about 21% of computer science graduates are women, according to the . 

It鈥檚 unclear exactly why this gender disparity in tech exists, though and introductory computer science courses might play a role. Regardless, it is a problem that persists and can affect future income potential.

This is a particular issue in relation to the gender pay gap, as much of the phenomenon is affected by the percentage of women in high-paying fields. Computer science fields are among the highest paying career paths, and the (BLS) estimates related careers will grow as much as 32% by 2032.

To get a closer look at gender parity in computer science degrees, OnlineU analyzed data on the percentage of male vs. female graduates with computer science bachelor鈥檚 degrees who were working (and not enrolled in a graduate program) one year following graduation. Out of 1,175 institutions, just 29 reported gender parity or better 鈥� meaning at least 50% of graduates were female. 

Among schools reporting gender parity in computer science graduates, four were women-only institutions. Of the remaining schools, several other traits made their inclusion in our results stand out, including a high percentage of diverse student populations. Unfortunately, many schools on our list had less attractive traits, including poor graduation rates.

Schools With Gender Parity or Better in Computer Science Degrees

Comparing 1,175 higher education institutions offering computer science bachelor鈥檚 degrees, just 29 reported 50% or higher female graduates who were working and not enrolled in graduate school a year following graduation.

Eleven schools reported 100% female computer science graduates according to our data pool, but four of these colleges are women-only institutions. Others also have a larger-than-average female population, such as the Savannah College of Art and Design (). 

Schools Reporting 100% Female Computer Science Graduates

Additionally, all the schools reporting 100% graduation rates among female computer science students were small- or medium-sized colleges, with very small student populations in computer science fields. 

A further 18 schools reported female computer science graduates at rates less than 100%, but greater than 50%.

Female Computer Science Students at Larger Schools

Of the 29 schools reporting gender parity or better, only two were public institutions, with the majority being private, nonprofit schools. 

Gender Parity at Hispanic-Serving and Other Diverse Institutions

Notably, many diverse schools made the list, with three Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) 鈥� Harvey Mudd, University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras, and St. Augustine College 鈥� and one Historically Black College and University (HBCU) making the cut 鈥� North Carolina Central University. The School of Visual Arts is also significant in this regard, boasting a 53% noncitizen student body.

When you account for race, Latina women have the largest gender pay gap compared to non-Hispanic white men, earning just 52 cents on the dollar, according to the (AAUW). For that reason, it鈥檚 encouraging to see higher gender parity in computer science at schools with substantial Latinx populations.

Considerations for Schools With Gender Parity

While the 29 schools on our list demonstrate gender parity in computer science degree-holders, prospective students should consider additional factors. For instance, many of the schools reporting gender parity also reported relatively poor graduation rates 鈥� as low as 12%. Acceptance rates and total cost are also important for any prospective student.

Graduation Rates

According to the , the average graduation rate (within eight years) for all undergraduate students at four-year institutions is 65%. Unfortunately, the average graduation rate among schools reporting gender parity in computer science was lower, at 57%. 

The results varied by institution, however. While there were many schools with poor graduation rates, others boasted higher-than-average numbers.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, one of 11 schools with 100% of female computer science majors graduating, has an overall graduation rate of just 27%. Conversely, five colleges on this list have graduation rates over 90%: Barnard College, Harvey Mudd College, Smith College, Wellesley College, and Rice University.

Acceptance Rates

The acceptance rate is another important factor for prospective students to consider when choosing a school. The average acceptance rate for schools in our data set was 73%, which is . This is likely due to a healthy balance of selective and inclusive schools. 

That being said, several colleges and universities on our list are more difficult to get into. For instance, Barnard College, Harvey Mudd College, and Rice University all have acceptance rates below 15%. 

Twelve schools, however, including St. Augustine College and the South Florida Institute of Technology, have 100% acceptance rates.

Cost

Finally, cost is another limiting factor for many. The average cost of college in the U.S. is over $36,000 per year, according to the . Many students end up relying on student loans to finance their education. 

An important factor in overall costs is the type of school chosen, with in-state, public institutions averaging the least expensive and private, nonprofit schools costing the most. Only two public schools were featured on our list showing gender parity in computer science. These schools also offered the most affordability: The University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras costs $8,519 per year and North Carolina Central University costs $15,328 per year, both well below the national average of $20,513.

The School of Visual Arts is the most expensive school on our list, costing $50,183 per year, as of the '21-22 school year.

Computer Science and the Gender Pay Gap

Gender parity in computer science is particularly important due to the favorable earning potential of careers related to this degree. The median annual wage for fields related to computer and information technology is $90,000 . Job growth is also high, with projected rates up to 32%, compared to the 3% national average. 

But to score a job in computer science or a related field, 72% of those employed were required to have at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Since computer science is a potentially lucrative career, having a bachelor鈥檚 degree can significantly improve employment odds. With low graduation rates for women in the field, however, there is potential for the gender pay gap to persist. According to the AAUW, the fact that male-dominated industries tend to have higher wages than female-dominated industries is a significant factor in the existence of a wage discrepancy. 

Achieving gender parity in computer science, and other fields with significant gender discrepancies, could potentially go a long way in closing the gap. 

For women and other non-male students considering a career in computer science, current gender disparities should not be a limiting factor in deciding to pursue the career. High wages and solid job outlook make it a good choice for many, regardless of gender. 

Methodology

To find the best schools for gender parity in computer science, we compared the percentage of male vs. female computer science bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates who were working and not enrolled one year following graduation for the 2021-2022 academic year, using data sourced from College Scorecard. We only considered schools for which College Scorecard data was available. Schools with 50% or higher non-male graduates were considered to display gender parity. 

Cost, acceptance rate and other data was pulled for the 2021 to 2022 school year.