Best institutions to study Computer Software Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications.
27 U.S. institutions graduated 480 Computer Software Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1204, a specialization of Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12), and leads most directly to the Software Developers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1252).
About Computer Software Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications. Includes instruction in computer programming, programming languages, databases, user interfaces, networking and warehousing, encryption and security, software testing and evaluation, and customization.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Software Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and applications. This program is ideal for students interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills within the field of computer engineering technologies.
Students will gain knowledge in computer programming, programming languages, databases, user interfaces, networking, encryption, and software testing. Core skills developed include critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Software Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree303 graduates / yr · 7 institutions63%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year83 graduates / yr · 13 institutions17%
- Associate's degree75 graduates / yr · 10 institutions16%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.3%
- Master's degree8 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.7%
Graduates over time
Computer Software Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 102 |
| 2013 | 147 |
| 2014 | 144 |
| 2015 | 108 |
| 2016 | 152 |
| 2017 | 179 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2019 | 258 |
| 2020 | 193 |
| 2021 | 250 |
| 2022 | 190 |
| 2023 | 249 |
| 2024 | 277 |
| 2025 | 480 |
Top 27 institutions for Computer Software 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 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 234 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 41% | — | $60,462 |
| 3 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORPublicBachelor's | 28 | 54% | — | $82,242 |
| 4 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 55% | — | $38,957 |
| 5 | Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 84% | — | — |
| 6 | Dixie Technical College Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 77% | — | — |
| 7 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DCPublicAssociate's | 11 | 33% | — | — |
| 8 | Davis Technical College Kaysville, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 57% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 10 | 35% | $21,175 | — |
| 10 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 11 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAssociate's | 7 | 16% | — | $56,504 |
| 12 | Klamath Community College Klamath Falls, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 13 | Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MIPublicAssociate's | 5 | 30% | — | — |
| 14 | Zane State College Zanesville, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 46% | — | — |
| 15 | Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 50% | $14,298 | $70,403 |
| 16 | Allegheny College Meadville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 73% | $18,524 | — |
| 17 | Coconino Community College Flagstaff, AZPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | — |
| 18 | Rogue Community College Grants Pass, ORPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 9% | — | — |
| 19 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 20 | Oakton College Des Plaines, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 37% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 57% | — | — |
| 22 | Valley City State University Valley City, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 23 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 31% | — | $23,598 |
| 24 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 26% | — | — |
| 25 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 59% | — | — |
| 26 | ATA College El Cajon, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 89% | $22,147 | — |
| 27 | California Institute of Arts & Technology National City, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 56% | $34,431 | $48,778 |
* 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 14 states
Where Computer Software 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 6 | 288 | Western Governors University234 / yr |
| Ohio | 4 | 75 | Sinclair Community College62 / yr |
| Oregon | 3 | 37 | Oregon Institute of Technology28 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 28 | Sam Houston State University28 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 14 | University of Advancing Technology10 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 11 | University of the District of Columbia11 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 8 | Duke University8 / yr |
| California | 3 | 6 | Fresno Pacific University4 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | Kellogg Community College5 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | Allegheny College4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Oakton College1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | University of Missouri - St Louis1 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | Valley City State University1 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 1 | Community College of Rhode Island1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1252, Software Developers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts, and Computer Programmers. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 15.8% and approximately 115,200 annual openings, offering a median wage of $133,080 for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1204
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Software Developersprimary SOC 15-1252 | $135,980 | +15.8% Much faster than average | ~115,200 | Bachelor'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 |
Computer Programmers SOC 15-1251 | $100,390 | -6.0% Decline | ~5,500 | 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 Computer Software 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
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
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/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 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 a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or various short-term awards.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, programming, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.8%.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as a Software Developer, Software Quality Assurance Analyst, or Computer Programmer.
What is the CIP code for Computer Software Technology/Technician?+
Computer Software Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1204 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 developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications. Includes instruction in computer programming, programming languages, databases, user interfaces, networking and warehousing, encryption and security, software testing and evaluation, and customization.
How many institutions offer Computer Software Technology/Technician programs?+
27 U.S. institutions reported Computer Software Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 480 credentials in the year. That is 14.2% of all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Computer Software Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Software Developers occupation, which Computer Software Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $135,980 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $56,504 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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