Bright outlook
Computers and math
Software Developers
- Median pay
- $135,980
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
ProgramsComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Programming
CIP11.02
405 colleges offer Computer Programming. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 405
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $78,404
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $23,000
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 405
- Associate's
- 370
- Bachelor's
- 107
- Master's
- 22
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 25
What it covers
About Computer Programming
A program that focuses on the general writing and implementation of generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that generally prepares individuals to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 11.02.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 11.02.
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification
- Computer Game Programming
- Computer Programming, Specific Platforms
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 405 | $61,2704 yrs after · 15 colleges | $11,4928 colleges |
| Associate's | 370 | $59,6464 yrs after · 53 colleges | $12,00018 colleges |
| Bachelor's | 107 | $78,4044 yrs after · 30 colleges | $23,00025 colleges |
| Master's | 22 | $158,5094 yrs after · 3 colleges | $59,0434 colleges |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 25 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Computer Programming graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofit · 18 graduates
$114,963
debt $27,000
- 2
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · 25 graduates
$113,559
debt $27,000
- 3
Seattle, WA · Public · 17 graduates
$106,639
debt not reported
- 4
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · Public · 53 graduates
$106,484
debt $19,145
- 5
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 138 graduates
$101,315
debt $21,916
- 6
Auburn, WA · Public · 43 graduates
$92,375
debt $20,359
- 7
Bellevue, NE · Private nonprofit · 89 graduates
$90,435
debt $17,375
- 8
Akron, OH · Public · 30 graduates
$86,965
debt $23,000
- 9
Hays, KS · Public · 102 graduates
$73,380
debt $19,705
- 10
University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ · — · 10 graduates
$72,462
debt $34,167
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Computer Programming by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Median pay
- $104,300
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Video Game Designers
- Median pay
- $104,000
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Programming
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Median pay
- $104,000
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Computers and math
Computer Programmers
- Median pay
- $100,390
- Outlook
- Decline
Bachelor's degree
- Programming
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Bright outlook
Education
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $96,980
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Computers and math
Web Developers
- Median pay
- $92,650
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
Computers and math
Computer Network Support Specialists
- Median pay
- $76,220
- Outlook
- Slower than average
Associate's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this area- Computer and Information Sciences, General866 colleges
- Computer Science751 colleges
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management642 colleges
- Computer Software and Media Applications419 colleges
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications372 colleges
- Information Science/Studies265 colleges
- Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications109 colleges
- Data Processing101 colleges
Questions about Computer Programming
How many colleges offer Computer Programming?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Computer Programming at these degree levels: certificate (405 colleges), associate's (370 colleges), bachelor's (107 colleges), master's (22 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (25 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Computer Programming graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Computer Programming earn $78,404 a year four years after finishing, across 30 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Computer Programming graduates earn the most?
New England Institute of Technology reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Computer Programming: $114,963 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.