The computer science degree, highly sought after for its potential to secure lucrative six-figure salaries and dynamic career opportunities in the high-tech sector, has been a beacon for graduates ever since the proliferation of personal computers in the 1990s.
The roots of computer science as an academic discipline stretch back even further, with Purdue University pioneering the establishment of a dedicated department in the 1960s. Faculty members at Purdue took it upon themselves to author history books on the subject, filling a void in the absence of existing literature at that time.
While countries like the U.S., China, and Singapore are commonly recognized for their excellence in offering top-tier computer science programs, universities of great repute can be found across the globe, including Africa. A recent study [ppp[1]] compiled rankings to pinpoint the top 10 universities in Africa for computer science education.
In Africa, there has been a notable shift in secondary education curricula towards emphasizing computer science skills over basic computer literacy. The continent boasts a youthful population, with a median age of 19, and is projected to house over a third of the global youth population aged 15 to 24 by 2050. Despite challenges such as limited internet access, African universities are striving to cater to the educational needs of their burgeoning youth population, particularly in the realm of post-secondary computer science education.
Professionals in various roles such as web designers, software developers, computer network architects, research scientists, and systems administrators rely heavily on their computer science expertise in carrying out their duties. This skill set is anticipated to remain in high demand, even amidst reports of layoffs at major tech firms.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for a U.S. worker in a computer science-related occupation currently stands at $100,530. The bureau’s projections indicate a need for 377,500 new professionals annually over the next decade, as the industry is poised to outpace the average growth rate of other sectors.
In light of critiques directed at the tech industry for its lack of diversity and the inherent biases in products shaped by predominantly white male perspectives, there is a growing impetus for employers to broaden their recruitment horizons beyond traditional sources. Notably, between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of female graduates from U.S. institutions in computer science fields saw a mere 3% increase, while graduates from underrepresented racial groups remained stagnant at slightly over 20% of the total graduating cohort.
U.S. News and World Report conducted a comprehensive assessment, ranking 778 universities worldwide based on criteria such as the volume of academic research papers (minimum 250), citations received, global and regional research reputation, and other pertinent factors to assign subject scores on a scale of 0-100.