Computer Programming graduates earn $83,439 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 10.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Software Developer is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Computer Programming as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Computer Science and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Computer Programming is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $83,439 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 628 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 12,983 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$50,242
Median Earnings · 4yr
$83,439
Colleges Offering
628
Graduates / Year
12,983
Avg Net Price / yr
$12,976
How Much Do Computer Programming Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Computer Programming, a typical graduate earns $83,439, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $54,167 and $114,436, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $50,242 at one year out to $83,439 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$83,439
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$78,404
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Computer Programming graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$54,16725th pct.
$83,439Median
$114,43675th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $83,439 against an estimated $51,904 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 110 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 12,983 students who complete Computer Programming programs each year, the majority (47%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
47%30%
Associate's47%
Bachelor's30%
Certificate15%
What Can You Do With a Computer Programming Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Computer Programming graduates show up in 7 different occupations, and Software Developer pays the most at $135,980/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
ProgrammingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
ProgrammingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
Balance and adjust gameplay experiences to ensure the critical and commercial success of the product.
Devise missions, challenges, or puzzles to be encountered in game play.
Create core game features, including storylines, role-play mechanics, and character biographies for a new video game or game franchise.
ProgrammingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingQuality Control Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
ProgrammingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingOperations Analysis
Day-to-day responsibilities
Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
Back up network data.
Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
Top Colleges for Computer Programming
Not sure where to study Computer Programming? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Computer Programming graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Computer Science Programs
Computer Programming is not the only path through Computer Science: 11 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Computer Programming program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Computer Programming a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $83,439 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $50,242 at graduation to $83,439 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +10.2% over the next decade, with Software Developer among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 136,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
$83,439 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $54,167 and $114,436, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Programming degree?
$50,242 in the first year out. That grows to $83,439 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Computer Programming degree?
Software Developer is one path, and it pays a median of $135,980 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Computer Programming program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Computer Programming associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Computer Programming?
628 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Computer Programming degree worth it?
$83,439 median earnings four years out against $12,976 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Computer Programming and Computer Science?
Computer Programming is the narrower of the two: Computer Science covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Computer Programming-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Computer Programming graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Computer Programming graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Computer Programming graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Computer Programming graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.5% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Software Developer is among the strongest-growth roles at +10.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Computer Science Programs
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