Minnesota · Computer Programming

Best colleges for Computer Programming in Minnesota

Ranked by graduate earnings

Hennepin Technical College, Saint Paul College and Dakota County Technical College award the most Computer Programming degrees and certificates in Minnesota: 17, 16 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Minnesota colleges offer Computer Programming and award 383 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
16
offering CIP 11.02
States offered
51
with a program page
Degrees / yr
383
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$50,242
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,369
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
43%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer Programmers
$100,530
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
1Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis Public · Associate degree
$55,0697620%—$22,600
2Herzing University - Minneapolis
St. Louis Park Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$50,242147%$16,383$31,050

Colleges awarding the most Computer Programming degrees in Minnesota

Top 10 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)
1Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park Public
17Not reported
2Saint Paul College
Saint Paul Public
16Not reported
3Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount Public
14Not reported
4St Cloud Technical and Community College
Saint Cloud Public
13Not reported
5Ridgewater College
Willmar Public
12Not reported
6Anoka Technical College
Anoka Public
10Not reported
7Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls Public
9Not reported
8University of St Thomas
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
9Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public
6Not reported
10Minnesota State College Southeast
Winona Public
3Not reported
Show the other 6 Minnesota colleges offering Computer Programming
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn ParkPublic178
Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolisPublic76
Capella University (Online)MinneapolisPrivate for-profit14
Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove HeightsPublic4
Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCoon RapidsPublic2
Herzing University - MinneapolisSt. Louis ParkPrivate not-for-profit1

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 Minnesota

Jobs in Minnesota
2,070
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$100,530
median $107,250
Best-paying metro
$107,910
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Related careers

Software Developers
$127,530 avg · 35,890 jobs
Computer Network Support Specialists
$79,050 avg · 2,930 jobs
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$104,720 avg · 2,630 jobs
Computer Programmers
$100,530 avg · 2,070 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$87,740 avg · 1,520 jobs
Web Developers
$103,500 avg · 1,200 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Programming programs in Minnesota.

Which Minnesota colleges award the most Computer Programming degrees?+

Hennepin Technical College (17 graduates a year), Saint Paul College (16 graduates a year) and Dakota County Technical College (14 graduates a year) award the most Computer Programming degrees and certificates in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Minnesota colleges offer Computer Programming.

How much do Computer Programmers earn in Minnesota?+

The average annual wage for Computer Programmers in Minnesota is $100,530 (median $107,250), across about 2,070 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.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card