Best institutions to study Computer Programming/Programmer
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 procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance.
401 U.S. institutions graduated 12,592 Computer Programming/Programmer students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0201, a specialization of Computer Programming (CIP 11.02), and leads most directly to the Computer Programmers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1251).
About Computer Programming/Programmer programs
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 procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Programming/Programmer program focuses on the writing and implementation of both generic and customized software applications. It prepares students to apply software design and programming methods, ensuring they can effectively contribute to the development and maintenance of operating systems and networks. This program is ideal for individuals interested in a career in technology and software development.
Students will gain essential skills in software design, programming languages, troubleshooting, and program customization. Coursework typically includes instruction in both low- and high-level programming languages, as well as practical experience in software installation and maintenance.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Programming/Programmer graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5,667 graduates / yr · 188 institutions45%
- Associate's degree3,505 graduates / yr · 237 institutions28%
- Bachelor's degree1,631 graduates / yr · 53 institutions13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years902 graduates / yr · 86 institutions7.2%
- Master's degree540 graduates / yr · 10 institutions4.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks126 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years106 graduates / yr · 11 institutions0.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate95 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Post-master's certificate20 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Computer Programming/Programmer completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,421 |
| 2013 | 5,913 |
| 2014 | 5,939 |
| 2015 | 6,442 |
| 2016 | 6,800 |
| 2017 | 7,421 |
| 2018 | 7,172 |
| 2019 | 7,919 |
| 2020 | 7,907 |
| 2021 | 8,741 |
| 2022 | 9,825 |
| 2023 | 9,648 |
| 2024 | 11,327 |
| 2025 | 12,592 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer Programming/Programmer, 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 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 1,981 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 2 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 709 | 20% | — | — |
| 3 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 363 | 68% | $28,141 | $72,234 |
| 4 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 335 | 32% | — | $43,727 |
| 5 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 268 | 48% | — | $36,601 |
| 6 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 257 | 49% | — | — |
| 7 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 226 | 38% | — | — |
| 8 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 212 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 203 | 32% | — | $37,250 |
| 10 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicMaster's | 191 | 50% | — | — |
| 11 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 188 | 46% | — | — |
| 12 | North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 177 | 22% | — | — |
| 13 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 174 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 14 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAssociate's | 171 | 30% | — | — |
| 15 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 161 | 67% | — | $41,799 |
| 16 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 155 | 36% | — | — |
| 17 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 144 | 34% | — | — |
| 18 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 142 | 46% | — | — |
| 19 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 121 | 49% | — | — |
| 20 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 114 | 50% | — | $44,673 |
| 21 | Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 112 | 19% | $16,966 | — |
| 22 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 111 | 33% | $29,230 | $69,254 |
| 23 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 99 | 43% | $21,535 | $52,190 |
| 24 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 90 | 33% | — | $37,074 |
| 25 | Green River College Auburn, WAPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 83 | 39% | — | — |
| 26 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 82 | 48% | — | $57,162 |
| 27 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 82 | 53% | — | $45,383 |
| 28 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 82 | 21% | $15,478 | $60,496 |
| 29 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 78 | 41% | — | — |
| 30 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 76 | 45% | — | — |
| 31 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 76 | 65% | — | — |
| 32 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 64 | 34% | — | $42,710 |
| 33 | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 64 | 41% | — | — |
| 34 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 64 | 38% | — | — |
| 35 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 40% | — | — |
| 36 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 31% | — | $33,937 |
| 37 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WAPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 36% | — | — |
| 38 | St Charles Community College Cottleville, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 60 | 25% | — | — |
| 39 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 59 | 26% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 75% | — | — |
| 41 | Terra State Community College Fremont, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 39% | — | — |
| 42 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 39% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 58% | — | $80,830 |
| 44 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 33% | — | — |
| 45 | Neumont College of Computer Science Salt Lake City, UTPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 52 | 63% | $29,553 | — |
| 46 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 51 | 48% | — | — |
| 47 | Hartnell College Salinas, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 49 | 40% | — | — |
| 48 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 37% | — | — |
| 49 | Santa Fe College Gainesville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 53% | — | $39,098 |
| 50 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 48 | 20% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer Programming field (CIP 11.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Computer Programming/Programmer graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Programming programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1251, Computer Programmers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Programming/Programmer program can pursue various careers, including computer programmers and software developers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 6% in this field, with approximately 5,500 annual openings and a median wage of $98,670. A bachelor's degree is typically required for these roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0201
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Programmersprimary SOC 15-1251 | $100,390 | -6.0% Decline | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Developers 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 |
Computer Network Support Specialists SOC 15-1231 | $76,220 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~9,600 | Associate's degree |
Web and Digital Interface Designers SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Web Developers SOC 15-1254 | $92,650 | +7.5% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1021 | $96,980 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~3,500 | Doctoral or professional 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 Programming/Programmer 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer Programming specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Programming (CIP 11.02).
- Computer ProgrammingCIP 11.02022,745 graduates / yr131 institutions
- Computer Game ProgrammingCIP 11.0204547 graduates / yr32 institutions
- Computer ProgrammingCIP 11.0203451 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Computer ProgrammingCIP 11.0299245 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Computer ProgrammingCIP 11.0205partial data57 graduates / yr8 institutions
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 12 weeks, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, programming skills, and knowledge in mathematics, electronics, and software design.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a computer programmer, software developer, or in related roles such as software quality assurance analyst.
What is the job outlook for computer programmers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6%, with about 5,500 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Computer Programming/Programmer?+
Computer Programming/Programmer is CIP 11.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Programming (CIP 11.02). NCES defines it as: 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 procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.
How many institutions offer Computer Programming/Programmer programs?+
401 U.S. institutions reported Computer Programming/Programmer graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 12,592 credentials in the year. That is 75.7% of all Computer Programming graduates.
How much do Computer Programming/Programmer graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer Programmers occupation, which Computer Programming/Programmer most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Programming field report median earnings of $50,242 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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