Auburn University’s Computer Science and Software Engineering Department (CSSE) has seen significant growth in its faculty and students in recent years. It is on an upward trajectory in terms of education, research, and reputation. CSSE is the highest ranked department in the State of Alabama, ranked sixth among SEC schools, top-50 among departments at public universities, and among the top-100 and 13% of computer science departments nationwide according to the 2026 edition of US News and World Report rankings. Research and instruction in CSSE are led by 40 faculty, among whom are recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and NSF CAREER awards, and Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars. Our faculty is diverse, international, dynamic, and excellent. We are home to more than a thousand undergraduate and graduate students pursuing one of three undergraduate degrees (BS in Computer Science, Bachelor of Software Engineering, and Bachelor of Computer Science), one of four Master’s degrees (MS in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, MS in Cybersecurity Engineering, MS in Data Science & Engineering, and MS in CSSE), or PhD in CSSE. Our research covers the full spectrum of topics in the discipline, with particular strengths in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity. The Auburn Center for AI and Cybersecurity Engineering is situated within the department, and we work closely with Auburn’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. Average ACT score of incoming freshmen stands close to 30, and ~10% of our undergraduates are Honors students. Our graduates are highly sought after by well-known companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, as well as federal agencies, regional and national industries, and graduate schools.
Department Chair Hari Narayanan