Best institutions to study Human-Centered Technology Design
A program that focuses on incorporating a human perspective into designing, researching, and creating technological interfaces.
33 U.S. institutions graduated 998 Human-Centered Technology Design students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0105, a specialization of Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01), and leads most directly to the Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1255).
About Human-Centered Technology Design programs
A program that focuses on incorporating a human perspective into designing, researching, and creating technological interfaces. Includes instruction in design, human-computer interaction, learning, neuroscience, perception, product design, user-centered design, and usability.
See also: 30.3101 - Human Computer Interaction.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Human-Centered Technology Design program, part of Computer and Information Sciences, focuses on integrating a human perspective into the design and creation of technological interfaces. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding how people interact with technology and how to enhance that interaction through thoughtful design.
Students will gain knowledge in areas such as human-computer interaction, user-centered design, usability, and product design. Coursework often includes conducting user research, analyzing feedback, and collaborating with web development professionals to create effective digital solutions.
Credentials awarded
What Human-Centered Technology Design graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree547 graduates / yr · 16 institutions55%
- Master's degree372 graduates / yr · 13 institutions37%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year52 graduates / yr · 6 institutions5.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Human-Centered Technology Design completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 91 |
| 2022 | 140 |
| 2023 | 498 |
| 2024 | 778 |
| 2025 | 998 |
CIP 11.0105 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 33 institutions for Human-Centered Technology Design, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 233 | 85% | — | $73,385 |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 94% | — | $105,137 |
| 3 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 82 | 75% | — | $69,548 |
| 4 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 52% | — | $60,736 |
| 5 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 75 | 64% | — | $43,059 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 47 | 86% | — | $84,050 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 46 | 75% | — | $60,397 |
| 8 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 38 | 44% | $32,163 | $52,927 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 37 | 85% | — | $113,503 |
| 10 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 34 | 91% | $18,925 | $115,587 |
| 11 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 12 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 13 | Berry College Mount Berry, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 69% | $20,108 | — |
| 14 | Franklin University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 11% | $22,280 | $63,310 |
| 15 | Bryan University Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 41% | $22,877 | — |
| 16 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 17 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 13 | 69% | — | $41,552 |
| 18 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 19 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicMaster's | 8 | 82% | — | $72,440 |
| 20 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 73% | $33,454 | $68,950 |
| 21 | Husson University Bangor, MEPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 59% | $18,839 | — |
| 22 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 47% | $14,382 | — |
| 23 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster's | 6 | 51% | — | $64,287 |
| 24 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 26 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 84% | $29,789 | $71,192 |
| 27 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 4 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 28 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 65% | $24,925 | — |
| 29 | Capitol Technology University Laurel, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 43% | $27,179 | $63,334 |
| 30 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 66% | $24,175 | — |
| 31 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — | $36,178 |
| 32 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 43% | $34,565 | $61,322 |
| 33 | Charleston Southern University Charleston, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 47% | $21,848 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer and Information Sciences field (CIP 11.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Human-Centered Technology Design graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer and Information Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1255, Web and Digital Interface Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Web and Digital Interface Designers. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 7% and approximately 9,100 annual openings. A typical education requirement for these roles is a Bachelor's degree, with a median wage of $98,090.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0105
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Web and Digital Interface Designersprimary SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Human-Centered Technology Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.
- Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
- Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
- Conduct user research to determine design requirements and analyze user feedback to improve design quality.
- Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
- Create searchable indices for Web page content.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer and Information Sciences specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01).
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.010173,454 graduates / yr879 institutions
- Information TechnologyCIP 11.010348,440 graduates / yr671 institutions
- InformaticsCIP 11.01043,531 graduates / yr71 institutions
- Computer and Information SciencesCIP 11.01992,981 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.01022,576 graduates / yr122 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in user research, design analysis, and collaboration with development teams.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 7%.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a Web and Digital Interface Designer, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Human-Centered Technology Design?+
Human-Centered Technology Design is CIP 11.0105 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 11.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on incorporating a human perspective into designing, researching, and creating technological interfaces. Includes instruction in design, human-computer interaction, learning, neuroscience, perception, product design, user-centered design, and usability.
How many institutions offer Human-Centered Technology Design programs?+
33 U.S. institutions reported Human-Centered Technology Design graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 998 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Computer and Information Sciences graduates.
How much do Human-Centered Technology Design graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation, which Human-Centered Technology Design most directly leads to, pays a median of $104,000 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer and Information Sciences field report median earnings of $64,287 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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