Best colleges for Human Computer Interaction
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Human Computer Interaction by graduate earnings are California College of the Arts ($101,801), Savannah College of Art and Design ($83,500) and Stony Brook University ($59,722), 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%.
- California College of the Arts (San Francisco, CA): $101,801, 73 graduates a year
- Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA): $83,500, 49 graduates a year
- Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): $59,722, 119 graduates a year
- DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA): $50,265, 28 graduates a year
- Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL): $26,924, 673 graduates a year
Compare 51 U.S. colleges offering Human Computer Interaction by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 25 states.
Human Computer Interaction programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $59,722 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.31 and the Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Human Computer Interaction programs
The Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program focuses on the ways people engage with computer systems. It encompasses the design and use of technology, emphasizing the interfaces between users and computers. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding user behavior and improving technology usability through innovative design.
Students in the HCI program will gain knowledge in user research, design requirements, and feedback analysis. Coursework often includes collaboration with web development professionals and strategies for enhancing user experience across various platforms.
Top 5 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 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $101,801 | 73 | 61% | $40,041 | $27,125 |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,500 | 49 | 69% | $44,902 | $24,500 |
| 3 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,722 | 119 | 76% | — | $20,596 |
| 4 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,265 | 28 | 61% | $39,863 | $28,209 |
| 5 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,924 | 673 | 44% | $32,163 | $33,471 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Certificate | $56,251 | 140 | 54% | — | $23,992 |
Specializations within Human Computer Interaction
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.31 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 25 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5 | $101,801 | California College of the Arts |
| Georgialimited | 1 | $83,500 | Savannah College of Art and Design |
| New York | 5 | $59,722 | Stony Brook University |
| Indianalimited | 2 | $56,251 | Indiana University - Indianapolis |
| Washington | 3 | $50,265 | DigiPen Institute of Technology |
| Floridalimited | 2 | $26,924 | Full Sail University |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Maryland | 3 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 4 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1255, Web and Digital Interface Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the HCI program can expect a career outlook that is faster than average, with an estimated 9,100 annual job openings. The median wage for HCI-related positions is approximately $98,090, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Human Computer Interaction
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.31.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.31 (Human Computer Interaction) maps to 5 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 |
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designersprimary |
| 15-1299 | Computer Occupations, All Other |
| 25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Human Computer Interaction programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Collaborate with management or users to develop e-commerce strategies and to integrate these strategies with Web sites.
- Collaborate with web development professionals, such as front-end or back-end developers, to complete the full scope of Web development projects.
- Communicate with network personnel or Web site hosting agencies to address hardware or software issues affecting Web sites.
- Conduct user research to determine design requirements and analyze user feedback to improve design quality.
- Confer with management or development teams to prioritize needs, resolve conflicts, develop content criteria, or choose solutions.
- Create searchable indices for Web page content.
Common questions
What is Human Computer Interaction?+
Human Computer Interaction is the study of how people interact with computer systems and the design of technologies that facilitate this interaction.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn user research techniques, design analysis, and collaboration skills essential for developing user-friendly technology.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in HCI?+
Graduates can pursue careers in web development, user experience design, and technology consulting, among others.
What is the job outlook for HCI graduates?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 7% and about 9,100 annual openings in the field.
How much do Human Computer Interaction graduates earn?+
Human Computer Interaction graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $59,722, College Scorecard (2019); the Web and Digital Interface Designers occupation pays about $117,490 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Human Computer Interaction?+
Human Computer Interaction maps to CIP 30.31 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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