Computer Science programs have, in recent years, perhaps become some of the most competitive programs in the US and globally for graduate and postgraduate studies. Hence, the GRE scores for CS programs have also become increasingly important and competitive. So, what is a good GRE score for Computer Science programs? 

According to historical data and the official ETS website, the average GRE score for computer science programs is between 320 and 330. 

First of all, GRE is needed for almost every graduate and postgraduate program in the US, and elsewhere, and Computer Science programs are no exception. However, within CS programs, the GRE scores can be divided as such. 

Since the GRE has three sections—Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing–let’s assess how much you need to qualify for a CS program. 

As already mentioned, due to the huge number of applications for Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Computer Science, GRE scores have become very important and often determine who gets accepted into a particular university. 

GRE Quantitative Reasoning Score for CS MS Programs

Obviously, the most important section in the GRE for CS program applicants is the Quantitative Reasoning section. On average, applicants accepted into CS programs in the USA have a Quantitative Reasoning score of 160. Thus, to increase your chances of being accepted and standing out amongst the pool of applicants, you need to aim for a Quantitative Reasoning score of at least 165. 

Moreover, for top-tier universities in the US, this competition is even higher. Their selected applicants showcase an average GRE score of more than 330, with a perfect score of 170 in the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE.

Thus, if your dream university is one of the Ivy-league ones or is a top-tier CS program university, you should aim for a perfect score in GRE Math!

GRE Verbal Reasoning Score for CS MS Programs

The average GRE Verbal Reasoning score of CS applicants is 150. Although Verbal Reasoning scores are not given much priority within CS and Engineering streams, they can play a vital role in differentiating and complementing an applicant’s overall profile and help them get an edge over other applicants. 

Consider a situation where two applicants have a perfect Quantitative Reasoning score, and their overall profile is also largely similar, but one has a Verbal Reasoning score of 150 while the other has received 155. Preference will, of course, be given to the one with higher scores. 

Furthermore, it can help programs gauge your overall reading and comprehension skills, something that is really important when pursuing a Master’s or a PhD degree. However, do not worry too much about the Verbal Reasoning section, especially if you struggle with grammar and language. Aim to get at least 155 in the Verbal Reasoning section while preparing for a perfect Quantitative score!

GRE Analytical Writing Score for CS MS Programs: 

This section may be the lowest-scoring section for an average Computer Science program applicant. The average Analytical Writing score for the CS program is 3.5 out of a possible 6. 

As a CS program applicant, you do not need to worry about this section either. Just familiarize yourself with the essay format and go through the prompts available on the official ETS website. That should suffice to get an upwards of 3.5 in your GRE Analytical Writing section. 

What is a good GRE score for CS?

A good GRE score for a Computer Science (CS) program generally depends on the competitiveness of the program and the specific university. Here are some general guidelines:

Quantitative Reasoning

• Top Programs (e.g., MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon): Aim for a score of 165-170.
• Mid-Tier Programs: A score between 160-165 is competitive.
• Lower-Tier Programs: Scores around 155-160 may be acceptable.

Verbal Reasoning

• Top Programs: Aim for a score of 155-160 or higher.
• Mid-Tier Programs: Scores between 150-155 are generally acceptable.
• Lower-Tier Programs: Scores around 145-150 may be sufficient.

Analytical Writing

• Top Programs: Aim for a score of 4.5-5.0.
• Mid-Tier Programs: A score of 4.0-4.5 is typically adequate.
• Lower-Tier Programs: Scores around 3.5-4.0 may be acceptable.

Other Considerations

• Program-Specific Requirements: Some programs may place more emphasis on the Quantitative section, while others might have balanced expectations across all sections.
• Holistic Admissions: GRE scores are just one part of the application. Other factors such as undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, research experience, and personal statements also play crucial roles.
• International Students: Verbal and Analytical Writing scores might be more scrutinized for non-native English speakers to ensure proficiency in English.

To conclude: While a high GRE score can strengthen an application, it is essential to meet or exceed the average scores of the target programs. Applicants should research specific program requirements and consider all elements of their application to maximize their chances of admission.

What GRE score is required for MS CS?

The GRE scores required for a Master of Science in Computer Science (MS CS) vary depending on the university and its level of competitiveness.

Here’s a list of the average GRE scores for Computer Science programs at the top 100 universities in the U.S. It includes scores across the three sections of the GRE: Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing.

Average GRE Scores for Top 100 Computer Science Programs

1. MIT
   • Quantitative: 165-169
   • Verbal: 158-162
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5-5.0
2. Stanford University
   • Quantitative: 166
   • Verbal: 162
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5
3. Carnegie Mellon University
   • Quantitative: 152
   • Verbal: 159
   • Analytical Writing: 4.0
4. UC Berkeley
   • Quantitative: 164
   • Verbal: 160
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5
5. Caltech
   • Quantitative: 167
   • Verbal: 158
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5
6. Harvard University
   • Quantitative: 161-170
   • Verbal: 155-166
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5
7. Princeton University
   • Quantitative: 167
   • Verbal: 157-161
   • Analytical Writing: 4.5
8. University of Washington
   • Quantitative: 154-168
   • Verbal: 153-161
   • Analytical Writing: 4.0
9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
   • Quantitative: 159
   • Verbal: 155
   • Analytical Writing: 4.0
10. University of Texas at Austin
    • Quantitative: 162-165
    • Verbal: 158-161
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
11. University of Southern California (USC)
    • Quantitative: 155-167
    • Verbal: 151-162
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5-4.0
12. University of Pennsylvania
    • Quantitative: 168
    • Verbal: 160
    • Analytical Writing: 4.2
13. Columbia University
    • Quantitative: 166
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
14. New York University (NYU)
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5-4.0
15. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
    • Quantitative: 165
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
16. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    • Quantitative: 165
    • Verbal: 154
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
17. University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
18. Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.0-4.0
19. University of Maryland, College Park
    • Quantitative: 163
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
20. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 155
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
21. Rice University
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 157
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
22. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
23. University of California, Irvine
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 155
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
24. Pennsylvania State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
25. University of Florida
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
26. University of Virginia
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 155
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
27. University of Colorado, Boulder
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
28. University of Chicago
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
29. Brown University
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
30. Ohio State University
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: Not specified
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
31. University of California, Santa Barbara
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 155
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
32. University of Utah
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
33. Purdue University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
34. University of Arizona
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
35. Northwestern University
    • Quantitative: 169
    • Verbal: 156
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
36. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
37. University of Illinois, Chicago
    • Quantitative: Minimum 300 total
    • Verbal: Not specified
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
38. University of Rochester
    • Quantitative: 165
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
39. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 155
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
40. University of Pittsburgh
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
41. Michigan State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
42. University of Connecticut
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
43. University of Notre Dame
    • Quantitative: 164
    • Verbal: 158
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
44. Iowa State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
45. Indiana University Bloomington
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
46. University of Delaware
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
47. University of Missouri
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
48. University of California, Riverside
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
49. University of Kentucky
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
50. University of Kansas
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
51. University of South Carolina
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
52. University of Oklahoma
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
53. University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
54. University of Alabama
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
55. University of Nebraska, Lincoln
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
56. University of Cincinnati
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
57. University of Iowa
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
58. University of Houston
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
59. University of Central Florida
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: Not specified
60. University of New Mexico
    • Quantitative

      from the previous list:

61. University of Houston
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
62. University of Central Florida
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
63. University of New Mexico
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
64. University of Rhode Island
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
65. University of Massachusetts, Lowell
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
66. University of Arkansas
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
67. University of Idaho
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
68. University of Louisville
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
69. University of Maine
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
70. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
71. University of Massachusetts, Boston
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
72. University of Miami
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
73. University of Mississippi
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
74. University of Montana
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
75. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
76. University of Nevada, Reno
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
77. University of New Hampshire
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
78. University of North Dakota
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
79. University of Oregon
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
80. University of South Dakota
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
81. University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
82. University of Texas at Arlington
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
83. University of Texas at Dallas
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
84. University of Texas at El Paso
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
85. University of Texas at San Antonio
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
86. University of Toledo
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
87. University of Tulsa
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
88. University of Vermont
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
89. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
90. University of Wyoming
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
91. Utah State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
92. Vanderbilt University
    • Quantitative: 165
    • Verbal: 160
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
93. Virginia Commonwealth University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
94. Virginia Tech
    • Quantitative: 165
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 4.0
95. Washington State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
96. Wayne State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
97. West Virginia University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
98. Western Michigan University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
99. Wichita State University
    • Quantitative: 160
    • Verbal: 153
    • Analytical Writing: 3.5
100. Wright State University
     • Quantitative: 160
     • Verbal: 153
     • Analytical Writing: 3.5

Conclusion:

Thus, the ideal GRE score for an average Computer Science program is 320, while for top-tier CS programs, the ideal score is 330, with a 165+ Quantitative Reasoning score.

In conclusion, your GRE study plan should be such that you focus and spend more energy and effort in preparing for the Quant section of the GRE, while continuing to practice for the Verbal Reasoning section to achieve a score of at least 150 in that section.