Best colleges for Computer Software and Media Applications
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Computer Software and Media Applications by graduate earnings are University of Southern California ($103,071), Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($86,193) and DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): $103,071, 149 graduates a year
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA): $86,193, 26 graduates a year
- DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA): $81,885, 88 graduates a year
- Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY): $69,052, 261 graduates a year
- DePaul University (Chicago, IL): $54,859, 80 graduates a year
Compare 549 U.S. colleges offering Computer Software and Media Applications by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Computer Software and Media Applications programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,272 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 11.08 and the Software Developers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Computer Software and Media Applications programs
The Computer Software and Media Applications program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of software systems and media applications. It is ideal for individuals interested in combining creativity with technical skills to create innovative software solutions and multimedia content. Students will engage with various aspects of software architecture and media design, preparing them for a dynamic career in technology.
In this program, students will develop core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge in computers and electronics, software testing, and user needs analysis, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in the tech industry.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,071 | 149 | 92% | $26,873 | $23,500 |
| 2 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,193 | 26 | 90% | $32,926 | $24,656 |
| 3 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,885 | 88 | 61% | $39,863 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,052 | 261 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,000 |
| 5 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,859 | 80 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,249 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,639 | 63 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Champlain College Burlington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,260 | 38 | 65% | $32,531 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,581 | 317 | 55% | $6,760 | $9,532 |
| 9 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,387 | 248 | 34% | $40,294 | $39,715 |
| 10 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,645 | 61 | 68% | — | $22,715 |
| 11 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,891 | 304 | 88% | $29,023 | $22,750 |
| 12 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,394 | 22 | 77% | $32,060 | $27,000 |
| 13 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,234 | 244 | 83% | — | $21,250 |
| 14 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,268 | 29 | 32% | $28,500 | $44,806 |
| 15 | School of Visual Arts New York, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,272 | 341 | 76% | $58,518 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,991 | 116 | 84% | — | $20,937 |
| 17 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,433 | 59 | 49% | $17,436 | $25,717 |
| 18 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,166 | 21 | 66% | — | $22,750 |
| 19 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,997 | 122 | 65% | — | $23,959 |
| 20 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,508 | 221 | 65% | — | $23,250 |
| 21 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,735 | 20 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
| 22 | The New School New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,550 | 272 | 69% | $54,185 | $25,489 |
| 23 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,046 | 59 | 43% | — | $23,250 |
| 24 | Dakota State University Madison, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,379 | 36 | 51% | — | $27,000 |
| 25 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $98,117 | 6 | 93% | — | $19,769 |
Top 13 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas College Dallas, TX Public · Certificate | $41,477 | 120 | 32% | — | $11,211 |
| 2 | College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID Public · Associate degree | $33,165 | 23 | 31% | — | $9,631 |
| 3 | Valencia College Orlando, FL Public · Associate degree | $32,099 | 287 | 48% | — | $16,751 |
| 4 | Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden, UT Public · Certificate | $30,535 | 35 | 53% | — | — |
| 5 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI Public · Associate degree | $65,191 | 37 | 29% | — | $16,640 |
| 6 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $52,264 | 9 | 66% | $25,132 | $20,000 |
| 7 | Hunter Business School Levittown, NY Private for-profit · Certificate Small program | $45,301 | 13 | 85% | $27,954 | $9,500 |
| 8 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN Public · Associate degree | $38,262 | 52 | 20% | — | — |
| 9 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA Public · Associate degree | $35,284 | 27 | 21% | — | $17,500 |
| 10 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle, IL Private for-profit · Certificate Online | $33,504 | 61 | 37% | $32,381 | $48,849 |
| 11 | Southern Careers Institute - Austin Austin, TX Private for-profit · Certificate Small program | $31,841 | 2 | 53% | $23,976 | $10,110 |
| 12 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL Public · Associate degree Small program | $27,889 | 13 | 38% | — | $21,799 |
| 13 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program | $24,750 | 16 | 84% | $37,335 | $12,000 |
Specializations within Computer Software and Media Applications
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 11.08 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Web PageCIP 11.08015,354 graduates / yr339 institutions47 states
- Data Modeling/CIP 11.0802
Warehousing and Database Administration 3,825 graduates / yr115 institutions34 states - Computer GraphicsCIP 11.08033,730 graduates / yr114 institutions33 states
- Computer Software and Media ApplicationsCIP 11.08992,001 graduates / yr64 institutions28 states
- ModelingCIP 11.08041,256 graduates / yr48 institutions26 states
Offered across 50 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 15-1252, Software Developers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Software and Media Applications program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 15.8% and approximately 115,200 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $133,080, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Computer Software and Media Applications
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 11.08.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 11.08 (Computer Software and Media Applications) maps to 13 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3021 | Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| 15-1221 | Computer and Information Research Scientists |
| 15-1242 | Database Administrators |
| 15-1243 | Database Architects |
| 15-1251 | Computer Programmers |
| 15-1252 | Software Developersprimary |
| 15-1254 | Web Developers |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 15-2051 | Data Scientists |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1194 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1014 | Special Effects Artists and Animators |
| 27-1024 | Graphic Designers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Computer Software and Media Applications 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
- 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.
Common questions
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in software development, multimedia design, database administration, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You'll develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, software testing, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.8%.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is usually required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn?+
Computer Software and Media Applications graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,272, College Scorecard (2019); the Software Developers occupation pays about $148,100 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Computer Software and Media Applications?+
Computer Software and Media Applications maps to CIP 11.08 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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