Best institutions to study Computer Programming
Compare 507 U.S. colleges offering Computer Programming by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Computer Programming programs report a median of $49,614 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 11.02 and the Computer Programmers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Computer Programming programs
The Computer Programming program focuses on the study of computation, information, and automation within the field of Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. It is designed for individuals interested in developing software applications, solving complex problems, and enhancing computer functionality through programming languages and techniques.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics. Coursework typically covers topics in computer programming, software development, and system analysis, enabling students to write, analyze, and maintain computer programs effectively.
Top 45 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,875 | 13 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,830 | 54 | 58% | — | $19,723 |
| 3 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,595 | 35 | 60% | $36,659 | $16,466 |
| 4 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,234 | 379 | 68% | $28,141 | $25,497 |
| 5 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,254 | 111 | 33% | $29,230 | $26,108 |
| 6 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $67,539 | 2 | 44% | $32,163 | $37,372 |
| 7 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,311 | 21 | 52% | — | $25,791 |
| 8 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA Public · Associate degree | $63,559 | 32 | 40% | — | $12,000 |
| 9 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Certificate degree | $60,496 | 82 | 21% | $15,478 | $14,431 |
| 10 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,162 | 82 | 48% | — | $28,000 |
| 11 | Southwestern College Winfield, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,305 | 7 | 36% | $26,868 | $6,500 |
| 12 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH Public · Associate degree | $55,996 | 41 | 16% | — | $12,736 |
| 13 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN Public · Associate degree | $55,069 | 76 | 20% | — | $22,600 |
| 14 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI Public · Associate degree | $54,652 | 36 | 65% | — | $13,812 |
| 15 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD Public · Associate degree | $53,874 | 19 | 59% | — | $14,827 |
| 16 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,190 | 99 | 43% | $21,535 | $26,702 |
| 17 | Herzing University - Birmingham Birmingham, AL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 1 | 13% | $20,803 | $31,050 |
| 18 | Herzing University - Atlanta Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 1 | 14% | $22,740 | $31,050 |
| 19 | Herzing University - Minneapolis St. Louis Park, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 1 | 47% | $16,383 | $31,050 |
| 20 | Herzing University - Akron Akron, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 2 | 19% | $22,849 | $31,050 |
| 21 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 8 | 28% | $20,965 | $31,050 |
| 22 | Herzing University - Orlando Winter Park, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,242 | 1 | 37% | $20,697 | $31,050 |
| 23 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,614 | 145 | 42% | $21,909 | $38,078 |
| 24 | Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO Public · Associate degree | $46,804 | 111 | 34% | — | $11,038 |
| 25 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,719 | 3 | 86% | $33,106 | $38,293 |
| 26 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,383 | 82 | 53% | — | $21,500 |
| 27 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI Public · Associate degree | $44,673 | 114 | 50% | — | $18,000 |
| 28 | Dallas College Dallas, TX Public · Certificate degree | $43,727 | 335 | 32% | — | $19,107 |
| 29 | Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $43,573 | 16 | 53% | $17,520 | $13,325 |
| 30 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FL Public · Associate degree | $42,710 | 74 | 34% | — | $14,250 |
| 31 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,668 | 60 | 52% | — | $25,214 |
| 32 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA Public · Associate degree | $42,640 | 40 | 24% | — | $22,203 |
| 33 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,799 | 161 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 34 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI Public · Associate degree | $41,728 | 22 | 51% | — | $9,833 |
| 35 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA Public · Associate degree | $39,216 | 59 | 43% | — | $15,737 |
| 36 | Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL Public · Associate degree | $39,098 | 55 | 53% | — | $15,100 |
| 37 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,576 | 33 | 35% | $21,175 | $30,562 |
| 38 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TX Public · Certificate degree | $37,250 | 203 | 32% | — | $11,884 |
| 39 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MO Public · Associate degree | $37,074 | 90 | 33% | — | $9,899 |
| 40 | Valencia College Orlando, FL Public · Associate degree | $36,601 | 360 | 48% | — | $14,070 |
| 41 | Wilmington University New Castle, DE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,551 | 14 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 42 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA Public · Associate degree | $35,284 | 72 | 32% | — | $6,500 |
| 43 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH Public · Associate degree | $33,937 | 63 | 31% | — | — |
| 44 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI Public · Associate degree | $33,781 | 20 | 26% | — | $11,000 |
| 45 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX Public · Associate degree | $32,473 | 46 | 46% | — | $17,750 |
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1251, Computer Programmers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Programming program can pursue various careers in software development and IT. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 6% in this field, there are still approximately 5,500 annual openings, with a median wage of $98,670. A typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Computer Programming
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 11.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 11.02 (Computer Programming) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 15-1231 | Computer Network Support Specialists |
| 15-1251 | Computer Programmersprimary |
| 15-1252 | Software Developers |
| 15-1253 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
| 15-1254 | Web Developers |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Computer Programming programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
Concentrations within Computer Programming
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Computer Programming/Programmer, GeneralCIP 11.0201
A program that focuses on the general writing and implementation of generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that generally prepares individuals to apply the methods and procedur
- Computer Programming, Specific ApplicationsCIP 11.0202
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and customization requirements presented by indiv
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product CertificationCIP 11.0203
A program that prepares individuals to fulfill the requirements set by vendors for professional qualification as certified installation, customization, and maintenance engineers for specific software
- Computer Game ProgrammingCIP 11.0204
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of design and computer programming to the development of computer games
- Computer Programming, Specific PlatformsCIP 11.0205
A program that prepares individuals to design, develop, and implement software-based solutions for specific business and consumer platforms including industrial, game, mobile, tactile, and web platfor
- Computer Programming, OtherCIP 11.0299
Any instructional program in computer programming not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Computer Programming program?+
The program focuses on developing software applications and enhancing computer functionality through programming.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening, alongside programming and software development skills.
What is the job outlook for computer programming graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6%, with about 5,500 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for someone in this field?+
The median wage for computer programming professionals is $98,670.
How much do Computer Programming graduates earn?+
Computer Programming graduates report median earnings of $49,614 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Computer Programmers occupation pays about $105,170 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Computer Programming?+
Computer Programming maps to CIP 11.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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