Best institutions to study Modeling
A program focusing on the principles of applied visual simulation technology and the application of quantitative analyses to human-computer interaction.
48 U.S. institutions graduated 1,256 Modeling students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0804, a specialization of Computer Software and Media Applications (CIP 11.08), and leads most directly to the Software Developers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1252).
About Modeling programs
A program focusing on the principles of applied visual simulation technology and the application of quantitative analyses to human-computer interaction. Includes instruction in object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, computer communications and networks, computer graphics, virtual worlds and simulation systems, probability, statistics, stochastic modeling, data analysis, human-performance evaluation, and human-behavior modeling.
See also: 50.0411 - Game and Interactive Media Design.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Modeling program, part of the Computer Software and Media Applications field, focuses on applied visual simulation technology and quantitative analyses related to human-computer interaction. It is designed for students interested in creating and analyzing virtual environments and simulations, preparing them for a range of careers in technology and design.
Students in this program will gain expertise in object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and data analysis. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication, equipping graduates with the skills needed to tackle complex software challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Modeling graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree846 graduates / yr · 24 institutions67%
- Master's degree277 graduates / yr · 12 institutions22%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate54 graduates / yr · 5 institutions4.3%
- Associate's degree28 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 5 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.0%
- Post-master's certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Modeling completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 181 |
| 2013 | 310 |
| 2014 | 331 |
| 2015 | 397 |
| 2016 | 484 |
| 2017 | 589 |
| 2018 | 588 |
| 2019 | 675 |
| 2020 | 778 |
| 2021 | 848 |
| 2022 | 858 |
| 2023 | 907 |
| 2024 | 1,010 |
| 2025 | 1,256 |
Top 48 institutions for Modeling, 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 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 238 | 70% | $28,133 | $69,052 |
| 2 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 163 | 65% | — | $33,508 |
| 3 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 95 | 34% | $40,294 | $45,387 |
| 4 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 61% | $39,863 | $81,885 |
| 5 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 86 | 66% | $24,175 | — |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 92% | $26,873 | $103,071 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 63 | 55% | — | $54,639 |
| 8 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 55% | $6,760 | $49,581 |
| 9 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 33 | 89% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicMaster's | 28 | 75% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Silicon Valley San Jose, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 29% | $30,599 | $37,693 |
| 12 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 25 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 14 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 25 | 80% | $28,560 | — |
| 15 | Neumont College of Computer Science Salt Lake City, UTPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 63% | $29,553 | — |
| 16 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 18 | 75% | — | — |
| 17 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 17 | 48% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 15 | 47% | — | $62,018 |
| 19 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster's | 13 | 69% | — | — |
| 20 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 68% | $38,461 | — |
| 21 | University of Tulsa Tulsa, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 72% | $23,470 | — |
| 22 | Texas A&M University - Victoria Victoria, TXPublicBachelor's | 10 | 26% | — | — |
| 23 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 87% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 9 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 25 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 53% | — | $43,144 |
| 26 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 67% | $42,045 | — |
| 27 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 28 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 67% | $27,455 | — |
| 29 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 7 | 45% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 6 | 93% | — | $98,117 |
| 31 | Butler Community College El Dorado, KSPublicAssociate's | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 5 | 35% | $21,175 | — |
| 33 | Husson University Bangor, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 59% | $18,839 | — |
| 34 | Riverland Community College Austin, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 52% | — | — |
| 35 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 65% | — | — |
| 36 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 4 | 84% | $37,335 | $24,750 |
| 37 | Academy of Interactive Entertainment Lafayette, LAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 4 | 100% | $33,931 | — |
| 38 | Cochise County Community College District Sierra Vista, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 30% | — | — |
| 39 | Orange Technical College - South Campus Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 35% | — | — |
| 40 | Trine University Angola, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 64% | $22,269 | — |
| 41 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAssociate's | 3 | 59% | — | — |
| 42 | Westcliff University Irvine, CAPrivate for-profitMaster's | 3 | 62% | $26,754 | — |
| 43 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster's | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 44 | Oakton College Des Plaines, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 45 | Manchester Community College Manchester, NHPublicAssociate's | 1 | 41% | — | — |
| 46 | Camden County College Blackwood, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 31% | — | — |
| 47 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 48 | Trine University - Regional/Non - Traditional Campuses Angola, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 0% | $21,976 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer Software and Media Applications field (CIP 11.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Modeling graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Software and Media Applications programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1252, Software Developers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Modeling program can pursue careers as Software Developers, Data Scientists, or Special Effects Artists, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 15.8% and approximately 115,200 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $133,080, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0804
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 |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Programmers SOC 15-1251 | $100,390 | -6.0% Decline | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Special Effects Artists and Animators SOC 27-1014 | $102,030 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~5,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1021 | $96,980 | +5.3% Faster than average | ~3,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Computer and Information Research Scientists SOC 15-1221 | $140,300 | +19.7% Much faster than average | ~3,200 | Master'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 Modeling 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 Software and Media Applications specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Software and Media Applications (CIP 11.08).
- Web PageCIP 11.08015,354 graduates / yr339 institutions
- Data Modeling/CIP 11.0802
Warehousing and Database Administration 3,825 graduates / yr115 institutions - Computer GraphicsCIP 11.08033,730 graduates / yr114 institutions
- Computer Software and Media ApplicationsCIP 11.08992,001 graduates / yr64 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication skills.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Software Developer, Data Scientist, or Special Effects Artist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.8%.
What is the CIP code for Modeling?+
Modeling is CIP 11.0804 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Software and Media Applications (CIP 11.08). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the principles of applied visual simulation technology and the application of quantitative analyses to human-computer interaction. Includes instruction in object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, computer communications and networks, computer graphics, virtual worlds and simulation systems, probability, statistics, stochastic modeling, data analysis, human-performance evaluation, and human-behavior modeling.
How many institutions offer Modeling programs?+
48 U.S. institutions reported Modeling graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 1,256 credentials in the year. That is 7.8% of all Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.
How much do Modeling graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Software Developers occupation, which Modeling most directly leads to, pays a median of $135,980 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Software and Media Applications field report median earnings of $54,639 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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