Best institutions to study Human Computer Interaction
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 a median of $59,722 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Certificate degree | $56,251 | 140 | 54% | — | $23,992 |
| 5 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,265 | 28 | 61% | $39,863 | $28,209 |
| 6 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,924 | 673 | 44% | $32,163 | $33,471 |
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.
Concentrations within Human Computer Interaction
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Human Computer InteractionCIP 30.3101
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the study of the interaction between people and technology and how that technology impacts society, and combines disciplines within the fields of computing
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 of $59,722 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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