Minnesota · Computer Software and Media Applications

Best colleges for Computer Software and Media Applications in Minnesota

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of St Thomas, University of Minnesota-Duluth and Riverland Community College award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees and certificates in Minnesota: 78, 20 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Minnesota colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications and award 230 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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
17
offering CIP 11.08
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
230
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,262
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,132
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Software Developers
$127,530
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
1Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program
$52,264966%$25,132$20,000
2Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis Public · Associate degree
$38,2625220%——

Colleges awarding the most Computer Software and Media Applications 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)
1University of St Thomas
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
78Not reported
2University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth Public
20Not reported
3Riverland Community College
Austin Public
18Not reported
4Saint Paul College
Saint Paul Public
16Not reported
5Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit
9$52,264
6Lake Superior College
Duluth Public
6Not reported
7Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public
5Not reported
8Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Fergus Falls Public
3Not reported
9South Central College
North Mankato Public
3Not reported
10Century College
White Bear Lake Public
3Not reported
Show the other 7 Minnesota colleges offering Computer Software and Media Applications
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolisPublic52
Normandale Community CollegeBloomingtonPublic7
Capella University (Online)MinneapolisPrivate for-profit3
Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemountPublic2
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint PaulPublic2
Ridgewater CollegeWillmarPublic2
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn ParkPublic1

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 Minnesota

Jobs in Minnesota
35,890
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$127,530
median $130,050
Best-paying metro
$138,520
Rochester, MN

Related careers

Software Developers
$127,530 avg · 35,890 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$186,520 avg · 10,970 jobs
Graphic Designers
$68,280 avg · 5,570 jobs
Data Scientists
$126,290 avg · 4,020 jobs
Computer Programmers
$100,530 avg · 2,070 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$87,740 avg · 1,520 jobs

Common questions

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

Which Minnesota colleges award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees?+

University of St Thomas (78 graduates a year), University of Minnesota-Duluth (20 graduates a year) and Riverland Community College (18 graduates a year) award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees and certificates in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Minnesota colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications.

How much do Software Developers earn in Minnesota?+

The average annual wage for Software Developers in Minnesota is $127,530 (median $130,050), across about 35,890 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 statesMichiganColoradoIllinoisWisconsinVermontMissouriIdahoWashington

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