Best institutions to study Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of professionals who use computer systems.
67 U.S. institutions graduated 1,213 Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1202, a specialization of Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12), and leads most directly to the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3023).
About Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of professionals who use computer systems. Includes instruction in basic computer design and architecture, programming, problems of specific computer applications, component and system maintenance and inspection procedures, hardware and software problem diagnosis and repair, and report preparation.
See also: 47.0104 - Computer Installation and Repair Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician program prepares students to support professionals in the field of computer systems. This program focuses on applying basic engineering principles and technical skills, making it ideal for individuals interested in a career in computer engineering technologies. Students learn to work with both hardware and software components, ensuring systems function effectively.
Learn more about Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician →
Core coursework includes instruction in computer design and architecture, programming, maintenance procedures, and problem diagnosis. Students develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics, providing a solid foundation for a career in technology.
Credentials awarded
What Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year522 graduates / yr · 26 institutions43%
- Associate's degree359 graduates / yr · 39 institutions30%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years125 graduates / yr · 18 institutions10%
- Bachelor's degree119 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks72 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.9%
- Master's degree9 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,798 |
| 2013 | 2,856 |
| 2014 | 2,980 |
| 2015 | 2,374 |
| 2016 | 2,377 |
| 2017 | 2,181 |
| 2018 | 2,348 |
| 2019 | 2,332 |
| 2020 | 1,995 |
| 2021 | 1,817 |
| 2022 | 1,762 |
| 2023 | 1,609 |
| 2024 | 1,272 |
| 2025 | 1,213 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician, 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 | California Institute of Arts & Technology National City, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 152 | 56% | $34,431 | $48,778 |
| 2 | Montgomery College Rockville, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 126 | 32% | — | — |
| 3 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 107 | 42% | $21,909 | $51,369 |
| 4 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 77 | 31% | — | $23,598 |
| 5 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 60 | 84% | $28,900 | $94,722 |
| 6 | Arkansas State University - Beebe Beebe, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 52 | 42% | — | $37,876 |
| 7 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 48% | — | — |
| 8 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 43 | 67% | — | — |
| 9 | Lincoln Land Community College Springfield, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 48% | — | — |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 31% | — | — |
| 11 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 53% | — | — |
| 12 | St Philip's College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 25 | 28% | — | — |
| 13 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 29% | — | — |
| 14 | Grayson College Denison, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 22 | 40% | — | — |
| 15 | Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 28% | — | — |
| 16 | Normandale Community College Bloomington, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 27% | — | — |
| 17 | ICPR Junior College - Arecibo Arecibo, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 60% | $5,052 | — |
| 18 | Excelsior University Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 15 | — | — | $56,260 |
| 19 | Okaloosa Technical College Fort Walton Beach, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 82% | — | — |
| 20 | New Mexico State University - Grants Grants, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 26% | — | — |
| 21 | Arkansas State University Three Rivers Malvern, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 26% | — | — |
| 22 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 25% | — | — |
| 23 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAssociate's | 13 | 66% | — | $41,158 |
| 24 | Erie Community College Buffalo, NYPublicAssociate's | 13 | 28% | — | — |
| 25 | Prince George's Community College Largo, MDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 18% | — | — |
| 26 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 37% | — | — |
| 27 | Riverland Community College Austin, MNPublicAssociate's | 11 | 52% | — | — |
| 28 | Grand River Technical School Chillicothe, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 89% | — | — |
| 29 | Butler County Community College Butler, PAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 37% | — | — |
| 30 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 10 | 46% | $17,988 | $35,970 |
| 31 | Bay de Noc Community College Escanaba, MIPublicAssociate's | 10 | 30% | — | — |
| 32 | Reading Area Community College Reading, PAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 34% | — | — |
| 33 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, ARPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 46% | — | — |
| 34 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 53% | — | — |
| 35 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 58% | — | — |
| 36 | Suncoast Technical College Sarasota, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 50% | — | — |
| 37 | Rend Lake College Ina, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 63% | — | — |
| 38 | Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center Cape Girardeau, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 71% | — | — |
| 39 | Central Wyoming College Riverton, WYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 37% | — | — |
| 40 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAssociate's | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 41 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 52% | — | — |
| 42 | Bowling Green State University - Firelands Huron, OHPublicAssociate's | 6 | 11% | — | — |
| 43 | ICPR Junior College - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 6 | 67% | $6,374 | — |
| 44 | Schenectady County Community College Schenectady, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 45 | Delaware County Community College Media, PAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 24% | — | — |
| 46 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 25% | — | — |
| 47 | ATA College El Cajon, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 89% | $22,147 | — |
| 48 | Lake Land College Mattoon, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 49 | Oakton College Des Plaines, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 37% | — | — |
| 50 | Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 22% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states & territories
Where Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3023, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an outlook of little to no change in job growth. The field offers approximately 8,400 annual openings, a median wage of $77,180, and typically requires an Associate's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1202
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3023 | $78,190 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~8,400 | Associate's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
- Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12).
- Computer Engineering Technology/CIP 15.1201
Technician 951 graduates / yr81 institutions - Computer Engineering Technologies/CIP 15.1299
Technicians partial data719 graduates / yr9 institutions - Computer Software Technology/CIP 15.1204
Technician 480 graduates / yr27 institutions - Computer Hardware Technology/CIP 15.1203
Technician partial data25 graduates / yr5 institutions
See all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist, Software Quality Assurance Analyst, or other engineering technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180.
What is the CIP code for Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician?+
Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of professionals who use computer systems. Includes instruction in basic computer design and architecture, programming, problems of specific computer applications, component and system maintenance and inspection procedures, hardware and software problem diagnosis and repair, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician programs?+
67 U.S. institutions reported Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states & territories, awarding 1,213 credentials in the year. That is 35.8% of all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $48,778 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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