Best institutions to study Computer Programming
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 individual software users and organizational users.
131 U.S. institutions graduated 2,745 Computer Programming students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0202, a specialization of Computer Programming (CIP 11.02), and leads most directly to the Computer Programmers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1251).
About Computer Programming programs
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 individual software users and organizational users. Includes training in specific types of software and its installation and maintenance.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Programming program, specifically focused on applications, prepares individuals to utilize general programming knowledge to address specific operational challenges faced by software users in various organizations. This program is ideal for those interested in developing and customizing software solutions to meet unique user needs.
Students will gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and programming, along with knowledge of computers, electronics, and customer service. Coursework typically includes training in software installation, maintenance, and the development of programs to improve operational efficiency.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Programming graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,048 graduates / yr · 64 institutions38%
- Associate's degree759 graduates / yr · 48 institutions28%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years545 graduates / yr · 41 institutions20%
- Bachelor's degree220 graduates / yr · 14 institutions8.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks105 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.8%
- Master's degree51 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate17 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Computer Programming completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,928 |
| 2013 | 1,698 |
| 2014 | 1,905 |
| 2015 | 2,045 |
| 2016 | 2,218 |
| 2017 | 2,232 |
| 2018 | 2,291 |
| 2019 | 2,224 |
| 2020 | 2,161 |
| 2021 | 2,402 |
| 2022 | 2,349 |
| 2023 | 2,404 |
| 2024 | 2,811 |
| 2025 | 2,745 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer Programming, 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 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 243 | 39% | — | — |
| 2 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 203 | 25% | — | — |
| 3 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 185 | 18% | — | — |
| 4 | Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 111 | 34% | — | $46,804 |
| 5 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 107 | 28% | — | — |
| 6 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 101 | 42% | $21,909 | $49,614 |
| 7 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 98 | 23% | — | — |
| 8 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 92 | 48% | — | $36,601 |
| 9 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 59 | 43% | — | $39,216 |
| 10 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 38% | — | — |
| 11 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 17% | — | — |
| 12 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 13 | DSDT Detroit, MIPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 51 | 41% | $24,540 | — |
| 14 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 46% | — | — |
| 15 | Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 48 | 45% | — | — |
| 16 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 25% | — | — |
| 17 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 20% | — | $55,069 |
| 18 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 38% | — | — |
| 19 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 47% | — | — |
| 20 | Champlain College Burlington, VTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 65% | $32,531 | — |
| 21 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 41% | — | — |
| 22 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 16% | — | — |
| 23 | Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 52% | — | — |
| 24 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IAPublicAssociate's | 32 | 40% | — | $63,559 |
| 25 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 33% | — | — |
| 26 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 32% | — | $35,284 |
| 27 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 58% | — | — |
| 28 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAssociate's | 25 | 16% | — | $55,996 |
| 29 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 49% | — | — |
| 30 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 31% | — | — |
| 32 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 36% | — | — |
| 33 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAssociate's | 21 | 32% | — | — |
| 34 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 54% | — | — |
| 35 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 25% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicBachelor's | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 37 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 18 | 43% | — | — |
| 38 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 17 | 67% | — | — |
| 39 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 40 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 39% | — | — |
| 41 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IAPublicAssociate's | 17 | 40% | — | — |
| 42 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 42% | — | — |
| 43 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 68% | $28,141 | $72,234 |
| 44 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 37% | — | — |
| 45 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 48% | — | — |
| 46 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAssociate's | 15 | 26% | — | $33,781 |
| 47 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 39% | — | — |
| 48 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 14 | 35% | — | — |
| 49 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 70% | $28,133 | $83,875 |
| 50 | North Seattle College Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 33% | — | — |
* 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 35 states & territories
Where Computer Programming 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 program can pursue careers as Computer Programmers, Software Developers, or Software Quality Assurance Analysts. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 6% in this field, there are approximately 5,500 annual openings, with a median wage of $98,670 for those holding a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0202
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 |
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 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 Programming/CIP 11.0201
Programmer 12,592 graduates / yr401 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 types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 131 colleges offering the Computer Programming program across the United States.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active learning, and writing.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6%, but there are about 5,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Computer Programming?+
Computer Programming is CIP 11.0202 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 prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and customization requirements presented by individual software users and organizational users. Includes training in specific types of software and its installation and maintenance.
How many institutions offer Computer Programming programs?+
131 U.S. institutions reported Computer Programming graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 35 states & territories, awarding 2,745 credentials in the year. That is 16.5% of all Computer Programming graduates.
How much do Computer Programming graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer Programmers occupation, which Computer Programming 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 $46,804 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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