Best degree programs for Computer User Support Specialists, ranked by enrollment
3 college programs and 253 schools train Computer User Support Specialists. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $61,860 median wage, 717,190 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
3 college programs at 253 schools train computer user support specialists, graduating 6,504 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Computer Support Specialist. The job pays a median of $61,860 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About computer user support specialists
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
3 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 11.1006 | 6,399 | 98.4% | 243 | $48,185 | $25,250 |
| 2 | CIP 51.0709 | 75 | 1.2% | 7 | $30,774 | $17,375 |
| 3 | CIP 01.0106 | 30 | 0.5% | 6 | $47,242 | $19,964 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 1,049 | Computer Support Specialist | 50% | — | — |
| 2 | Ensign College Salt Lake City, UT Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 427 | Computer Support Specialist | 43% | $11,149 | — |
| 3 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 294 | Computer Support Specialist | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 4 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 189 | Computer Support Specialist | 16% | — | — |
| 5 | Strayer University - Global Region Washington, DC Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 177 | Computer Support Specialist | 14% | $18,144 | — |
| 6 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 162 | Computer Support Specialist | 25% | — | — |
| 7 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KS Public · 1 feeder programs | 139 | Computer Support Specialist | 43% | — | — |
| 8 | NUC University Bayamon, PR Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 120 | Computer Support Specialist | 54% | $9,377 | — |
| 9 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 112 | Computer Support Specialist | 40% | — | — |
| 10 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 111 | Computer Support Specialist | 28% | — | — |
| 11 | Chandler - Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 108 | Computer Support Specialist | 30% | — | — |
| 12 | Seattle Central College Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 100 | Computer Support Specialist | 32% | — | — |
| 13 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 95 | Computer Support Specialist | 14% | — | — |
| 14 | Northwest Career College Las Vegas, NV Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 92 | Computer Support Specialist | 68% | $15,787 | — |
| 15 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 87 | Computer Support Specialist | 32% | — | — |
| 16 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA Public · 1 feeder programs | 83 | Computer Support Specialist | 15% | — | — |
| 17 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Paramus Paramus, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 77 | Computer Support Specialist | 70% | $40,948 | — |
| 18 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 76 | Computer Support Specialist | 55% | $6,760 | 96% |
| 19 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 73 | Computer Support Specialist | 29% | — | — |
| 20 | Strayer University - Georgia Chamblee, GA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 63 | Computer Support Specialist | 21% | $18,224 | — |
| 21 | Miller - Motte College - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 61 | Computer Support Specialist | 60% | $26,425 | — |
| 22 | Asher College Sacramento, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 58 | Computer Support Specialist | 56% | $16,924 | — |
| 23 | Kent State University at Trumbull Warren, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 57 | Computer Support Specialist | 32% | — | — |
| 24 | Bayamon Community College Bayamon, PR Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 56 | Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant | 33% | — | — |
| 25 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 54 | Computer Support Specialist | 24% | — | — |
| 26 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Iselin Iselin, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 52 | Computer Support Specialist | 54% | $41,164 | — |
| 27 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 50 | Computer Support Specialist | 16% | — | — |
| 28 | Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk, MA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 50 | Computer Support Specialist | 89% | $18,778 | — |
| 29 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 46 | Computer Support Specialist | 21% | — | — |
| 30 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS Public · 2 feeder programs | 45 | Computer Support Specialist | 31% | — | — |
| 31 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 43 | Computer Support Specialist | 21% | — | — |
| 32 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Moorestown Moorestown, NJ Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 43 | Computer Support Specialist | 54% | $39,602 | — |
| 33 | Strayer University - Virginia Arlington, VA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 42 | Computer Support Specialist | 36% | — | — |
| 34 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN Public · 1 feeder programs | 39 | Computer Support Specialist | 66% | — | — |
| 35 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson Dickson, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 38 | Computer Support Specialist | 74% | — | — |
| 36 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Computer Support Specialist | 51% | — | — |
| 37 | ICOHS College San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 37 | Computer Support Specialist | 80% | $58,478 | — |
| 38 | Elgin Community College Elgin, IL Public · 1 feeder programs | 35 | Computer Support Specialist | 41% | — | — |
| 39 | Strayer University - Texas Farmers Branch, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Computer Support Specialist | 25% | $17,518 | — |
| 40 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville, TN Public · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Computer Support Specialist | 70% | — | — |
| 41 | Lincoln Technical Institute - Allentown Allentown, PA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Computer Support Specialist | 61% | $37,696 | — |
| 42 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Computer Support Specialist | 51% | — | — |
| 43 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Computer Support Specialist | 53% | — | — |
| 44 | Valley College - Martinsburg Martinsburg, WV Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 31 | Computer Support Specialist | 66% | $25,386 | — |
| 45 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Computer Support Specialist | 48% | — | — |
| 46 | Strayer University - Maryland Baltimore, MD Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 30 | Computer Support Specialist | 38% | $18,092 | — |
| 47 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA Public · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Computer Support Specialist | 61% | — | — |
| 48 | Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CA Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Computer Support Specialist | 74% | $29,667 | 74% |
| 49 | Southern Careers Institute - Austin Austin, TX Private for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Computer Support Specialist | 53% | $23,976 | — |
| 50 | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 29 | Computer Support Specialist | 32% | — | — |
What computer user support specialists earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianamoderate | $56,510 | 13,540 | 0.92× | 3 | 1,167 |
| Arizona | $61,410 | 18,780 | 1.26× | 13 | 706 |
| Utahlimited | $61,110 | 11,120 | 1.39× | 2 | 428 |
| Wisconsin | $58,810 | 12,400 | 0.91× | 15 | 397 |
| California | $79,570 | 74,490 | 0.89× | 33 | 345 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $55,350 | 2,250 | 0.69× | 4 | 333 |
| Tennessee | $55,990 | 11,920 | 0.79× | 16 | 310 |
| Washington | $75,220 | 21,860 | 1.33× | 11 | 256 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,670 | 30,560 | 1.09× | 12 | 230 |
| Kansas | $56,150 | 6,780 | 1.02× | 7 | 216 |
| Illinois | $59,860 | 26,060 | 0.93× | 12 | 185 |
| New Jersey | $64,470 | 18,200 | 0.92× | 6 | 184 |
| District of Columbialimited | $80,950 | 3,140 | 0.97× | 2 | 182 |
| Ohio | $59,720 | 22,370 | 0.87× | 17 | 172 |
| Texas | $59,490 | 72,030 | 1.11× | 11 | 139 |
| Minnesota | $63,630 | 15,320 | 1.13× | 13 | 109 |
| Idahomoderate | $59,170 | 3,650 | 0.92× | 3 | 100 |
| Michigan | $56,240 | 22,090 | 1.09× | 10 | 94 |
| Georgiamoderate | $60,440 | 25,980 | 1.15× | 3 | 93 |
| Nevadalimited | $57,870 | 6,560 | 0.92× | 1 | 92 |
| Louisianalimited | $52,440 | 4,780 | 0.54× | 2 | 91 |
| Massachusettsmoderate | $75,070 | 17,570 | 1.05× | 4 | 71 |
| Iowamoderate | $58,810 | 6,140 | 0.85× | 4 | 53 |
| Virginialimited | $65,040 | 20,910 | 1.10× | 1 | 42 |
| Arkansas | $46,360 | 4,390 | 0.73× | 5 | 40 |
| Marylandlimited | $64,750 | 12,200 | 0.96× | 1 | 30 |
| Nebraskamoderate | $60,830 | 6,380 | 1.35× | 3 | 28 |
| North Carolinalimited | $60,120 | 23,100 | 1.01× | 2 | 26 |
| South Carolinalimited | $52,080 | 9,880 | 0.93× | 2 | 26 |
| Alaskalimited | $63,110 | 950 | 0.63× | 2 | 25 |
| New York | $72,560 | 39,100 | 0.88× | 5 | 23 |
| Wyomingmoderate | $65,100 | 790 | 0.61× | 3 | 21 |
| Alabamalimited | $49,630 | 7,360 | 0.75× | 2 | 19 |
| Floridalimited | $58,740 | 51,220 | 1.12× | 1 | 16 |
| Colorado | $71,900 | 16,740 | 1.26× | 6 | 15 |
| Kentuckylimited | $57,850 | 9,460 | 1.03× | 1 | 15 |
| Montanalimited | $58,460 | 1,640 | 0.69× | 1 | 10 |
| Delawarelimited | $62,160 | 1,890 | 0.85× | 2 | 7 |
| New Mexicolimited | $53,280 | 3,290 | 0.82× | 1 | 6 |
| South Dakotalimited | $48,260 | 1,240 | 0.59× | 1 | 6 |
| Missourilimited | $59,770 | 13,510 | 1.00× | 1 | 5 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $62,510 | 1,780 | 0.77× | 1 | 5 |
| Mississippilimited | $52,230 | 3,830 | 0.71× | 1 | 2 |
| Oregonlimited | $62,840 | 8,850 | 0.98× | 1 | 2 |
| Vermontlimited | $63,030 | 1,630 | 1.16× | 1 | 2 |
| Connecticutlimited | $70,210 | 9,300 | 1.19× | 1 | 1 |
| North Dakotalimited | $61,310 | 1,400 | 0.71× | 1 | 1 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.5
- Monitoring3.1
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Active Learning3.1
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.9
- Customer and Personal Service4.1
- Telecommunications3.9
- English Language3.8
- Education and Training3.7
- Mechanical3.7
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Written Comprehension4.0
- Oral Expression4.0
- Near Vision3.9
- Written Expression3.9
- Deductive Reasoning3.6
Core activities
- Working with Computers4.8
- Getting Information4.5
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.4
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.3
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.3
- Processing Information4.1
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Computer User Support Specialist
Job zone 3 of 5 · SVP 6.0 to < 7.0- Typical entry education
- Some college, no degree
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 3 majors mapped to Computer User Support Specialists3 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 01.0106Agricultural Business Technology/Technician
- 11.1006Computer Support Specialist
- 51.0709Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Computer User Support Specialist?+
Some college, no degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Computer Support Specialist, which awarded 6,399 degrees in 2024-25, 98.4% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Computer User Support Specialist?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 3 programs to this occupation. The largest are Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management, Health and Medical Administrative Services, Agricultural Business and Management. Together they graduate about 6,504 people a year.
How much do computer user support specialists earn?+
The median is $61,860 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $40,980 at the 10th percentile to $100,540 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for computer user support specialists growing?+
BLS projects a -3.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 40,800 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
253 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 3 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do computer user support specialists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Computer Support Specialist, Computer Tech (Computer Technician), IS Tech (Information Systems Technician), IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist) among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 15-1232.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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