Iowa · Computer Programming

Best colleges for Computer Programming in Iowa

Ranked by graduate earnings

Des Moines Area Community College, Kirkwood Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College District award the most Computer Programming degrees and certificates in Iowa: 271, 59 and 37 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Iowa colleges offer Computer Programming and award 469 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Computer Programming program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation within the field of Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. It is designed for individuals interested in developing software…

Institutions
10
offering CIP 11.02
States offered
51
with a program page
Degrees / yr
469
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$39,216
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,816
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
47%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer Programmers
$87,010
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa Public · Associate degree
$63,5593240%—$12,000
2Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids Public · Associate degree
$39,2165943%—$15,737

Colleges awarding the most Computer Programming degrees in Iowa

Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny Public
271Not reported
2Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids Public
59$39,216
3Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport Public
37Not reported
4Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa Public
32$63,559
5Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs Public
29Not reported
6Morningside University
Sioux City Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
7Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar Public
8Not reported
8Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville Public
3Not reported
9North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City Public
2Not reported
Show the other 1 Iowa colleges offering Computer Programming
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Maharishi International University (Online)FairfieldPrivate not-for-profit17

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer Programmers (SOC 15-1251).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-6.0%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~5,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$98,670
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive Learning

What Computer Programmers earn in Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
950
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$87,010
median $79,180
Best-paying metro
$108,010
Iowa City, IA

Related careers

Software Developers
$118,780 avg · 9,040 jobs
Computer Network Support Specialists
$67,600 avg · 1,920 jobs
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$91,640 avg · 1,000 jobs
Computer Programmers
$87,010 avg · 950 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$72,090 avg · 670 jobs
Web Developers
$74,510 avg · 420 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Programming programs in Iowa.

Which Iowa colleges award the most Computer Programming degrees?+

Des Moines Area Community College (271 graduates a year), Kirkwood Community College (59 graduates a year) and Eastern Iowa Community College District (37 graduates a year) award the most Computer Programming degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Iowa colleges offer Computer Programming.

Which Computer Programming program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Indian Hills Community College tops the list at $63,559. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Computer Programmers earn in Iowa?+

The average annual wage for Computer Programmers in Iowa is $87,010 (median $79,180), across about 950 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer Programming program?+

The Computer Programming program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation within the field of Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. It is designed for individuals interested in developing software…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

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

What is the job outlook for Computer Programmers?+

The national job outlook is about -6.0% growth with around 5,500 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).

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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