# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-programming
- CIP code: 11.02 (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services)
- Colleges offering it: 405 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 405 | $48,921 | $61,270 | $11,492 |
| Associate's | 370 | $47,201 | $59,646 | $12,000 |
| Bachelor's | 107 | $71,441 | $78,404 | $23,000 |
| Master's | 22 | $106,435 | $158,509 | $59,043 |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [New England Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-england-institute-of-technology-1845) | East Greenwich, RI | $114,963 | $27,000 |
| [Rochester Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rochester-institute-of-technology-2250) | Rochester, NY | $113,559 | $27,000 |
| [North Seattle College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/north-seattle-college-1904) | Seattle, WA | $106,639 | not reported |
| [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-dearborn-2957) | Dearborn, MI | $106,484 | $19,145 |
| [DePaul University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/depaul-university-illinois-795) | Chicago, IL | $101,315 | $21,916 |
| [Green River College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/green-river-college-1120) | Auburn, WA | $92,375 | $20,359 |
| [Bellevue University-Nebraska](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bellevue-university-nebraska-206) | Bellevue, NE | $90,435 | $17,375 |
| [University of Akron](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-akron-main-campus-2859) | Akron, OH | $86,965 | $23,000 |
| [Fort Hays State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/fort-hays-state-university-992) | Hays, KS | $73,380 | $19,705 |
| [University of Advancing Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-advancing-technology-2858) | Tempe, AZ | $72,462 | $34,167 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-quality-assurance-analysts-and-testers): $104,300 median pay
- [Video Game Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/video-game-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Web and Digital Interface Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-and-digital-interface-designers): $104,000 median pay
- [Computer Programmers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-programmers): $100,390 median pay
- [Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-science-teachers-postsecondary): $96,980 median pay
- [Web Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-developers): $92,650 median pay
- [Computer Network Support Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-network-support-specialists): $76,220 median pay

## More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-and-information-sciences-general): 866 colleges
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-science): 751 colleges
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-information-technology-administration-and-management): 642 colleges
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-software-and-media-applications): 419 colleges
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-systems-networking-and-telecommunications): 372 colleges
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/information-science-studies): 265 colleges
- [Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-entry-microcomputer-applications): 109 colleges
- [Data Processing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-processing): 101 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/