California · Computer Software and Media Applications

Best institutions to study Computer Software and Media Applications in California

The Computer Software and Media Applications program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of software systems and media applications. It is ideal for individuals interested in combining creativity with technical skills to…

Institutions
69
offering CIP 11.08
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,300
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$45,387
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$34,431
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Software Developers
$186,770
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Southern California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$103,07114992%$26,873$23,500
2Academy of Art University
San Francisco Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,38724834%$40,294$39,715
3University of Silicon Valley
San Jose Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,6932529%$30,599$31,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Software Developers (SOC 15-1252).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+15.8%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~115,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$133,080
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningActive ListeningWritingSpeaking

What Software Developers earn in California

Jobs in California
284,390
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$186,770
median $174,410
Best-paying metro
$221,710
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Related careers

Software Developers
$186,770 avg · 284,390 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$238,440 avg · 94,720 jobs
Data Scientists
$156,000 avg · 39,310 jobs
Graphic Designers
$86,800 avg · 27,390 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$146,210 avg · 27,090 jobs
Computer Programmers
$119,900 avg · 11,340 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Software and Media Applications programs in California.

Which Computer Software and Media Applications program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Southern California tops the list at $103,071. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Software Developers earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Software Developers in California is $186,770 (median $174,410), across about 284,390 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer Software and Media Applications program?+

The Computer Software and Media Applications program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of software systems and media applications. It is ideal for individuals interested in combining creativity with technical skills to…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Software Developers?+

The national job outlook is about +15.8% growth with around 115,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Computer Software and Media Applications in other statesMichiganColoradoIllinoisWisconsinMinnesotaVermontMissouriIdaho

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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