Washington · Computer Software and Media Applications

Best colleges for Computer Software and Media Applications in Washington

Ranked by graduate earnings

Spokane Community College, DigiPen Institute of Technology and Bellevue College award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees in Washington: 115, 88 and 83 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Washington colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications and award 645 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
21
offering CIP 11.08
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
645
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,046
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$39,863
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
41%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Software Developers
$171,040
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$81,8858861%$39,863$27,000
2Eastern Washington University
Cheney Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,0465943%—$23,250
3University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$47,112665%—$14,500

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Seattle Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program
$24,7501684%$37,335$12,000

Colleges awarding the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees in Washington

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Spokane Community College
Spokane Public
115Not reported
2DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond Private for-profit
88$81,885
3Bellevue College
Bellevue Public
83Not reported
4Pierce College District
Lakewood Public
70Not reported
5Eastern Washington University
Cheney Public
59$29,046
6Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Kirkland Public
55Not reported
7Peninsula College
Port Angeles Public
30Not reported
8Clark College
Vancouver Public
21Not reported
9Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood Public
18Not reported
10Everett Community College
Everett Public
17Not reported
Show the other 11 Washington colleges offering Computer Software and Media Applications
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Edmonds CollegeLynnwoodPublic16
Academy of Interactive EntertainmentSeattlePrivate not-for-profit16
Skagit Valley CollegeMount VernonPublic15
Walla Walla Community CollegeWalla WallaPublic11
Tacoma Community CollegeTacomaPublic7
Seattle Central CollegeSeattlePublic6
University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothellPublic6
The Evergreen State CollegeOlympiaPublic5
Olympic CollegeBremertonPublic4
Wenatchee Valley CollegeWenatcheePublic2
Highline CollegeDes MoinesPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Software Developers (SOC 15-1252).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+15.8%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~115,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$133,080
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningActive ListeningWritingSpeaking

What Software Developers earn in Washington

Jobs in Washington
107,030
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$171,040
median $166,540
Best-paying metro
$174,920
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Related careers

Software Developers
$171,040 avg · 107,030 jobs
Computer and Information Systems Managers
$222,510 avg · 16,960 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$134,700 avg · 11,580 jobs
Data Scientists
$158,040 avg · 9,600 jobs
Web Developers
$124,290 avg · 4,430 jobs
Graphic Designers
$77,910 avg · 3,960 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Software and Media Applications programs in Washington.

Which Washington colleges award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees?+

Spokane Community College (115 graduates a year), DigiPen Institute of Technology (88 graduates a year) and Bellevue College (83 graduates a year) award the most Computer Software and Media Applications degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Washington colleges offer Computer Software and Media Applications.

Which Computer Software and Media Applications program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, DigiPen Institute of Technology tops the list at $81,885. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Software Developers earn in Washington?+

The average annual wage for Software Developers in Washington is $171,040 (median $166,540), across about 107,030 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Computer Software and Media Applications program?+

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…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Software Developers?+

The national job outlook is about +15.8% growth with around 115,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Computer Software and Media Applications in other statesMichiganColoradoIllinoisWisconsinMinnesotaVermontMissouriIdaho

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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