Best institutions to study Computer Hardware Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in designing computer hardware and peripheral systems.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 25 Computer Hardware Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1203, a specialization of Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12), and leads most directly to the Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-3029).
About Computer Hardware Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in designing computer hardware and peripheral systems. Includes instruction in computer systems design, computer architecture, computer electronics, processors, peripherals, testing equipment, and computer manufacturing processes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Hardware Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in the design and development of computer hardware and peripheral systems. This program is ideal for those interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills in a hands-on environment, focusing on the intricate workings of computer systems.
Students will gain knowledge in computer systems design, computer architecture, computer electronics, processors, and testing equipment. The curriculum also covers computer manufacturing processes, equipping graduates with the essential skills needed to excel in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Hardware Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 1 institution36%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 1 institution32%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions32%
Graduates over time
Computer Hardware Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 32 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 25 |
Top 5 institutions for Computer Hardware 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rend Lake College Ina, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 9 | 63% | — |
| 2 | Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable, MAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 22% | — |
| 3 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 26% | — |
| 4 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 51% | — |
| 5 | Monroe County Community College Monroe, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 34% | — |
Offered in 5 states
Where Computer Hardware Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1 | 9 | Rend Lake College9 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 8 | Cape Cod Community College8 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 4 | Community College of Rhode Island4 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | Athens Technical College3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Monroe County Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3029, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Hardware Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an annual median wage of $77,390. The job outlook indicates little to no change, with approximately 5,700 annual openings projected in this field, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1203
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Otherprimary SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Related careers
Other Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12).
- Computer/CIP 15.1202
Computer Systems Technology/ Technician 1,213 graduates / yr67 institutions - 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
See all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What type of degree can I earn?+
You can earn an Associate's degree or various awards, including those lasting less than 12 weeks.
How long does the program take?+
The program duration can vary, with options for awards of less than 12 weeks or at least 12 weeks but less than one academic year.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Engineering Technologist or Technician, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,700 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Computer Hardware Technology/Technician?+
Computer Hardware Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1203 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 to support engineers in designing computer hardware and peripheral systems. Includes instruction in computer systems design, computer architecture, computer electronics, processors, peripherals, testing equipment, and computer manufacturing processes.
How many institutions offer Computer Hardware Technology/Technician programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Computer Hardware Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 25 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Computer Hardware Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation, which Computer Hardware Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,350 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
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