STEM Specialization

Computer Software & Media

Computer Software & Media graduates earn $58,894 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 34.6%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Computer Software & Media

This page covers Computer Software & Media 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 Software & Media is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $58,894 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 726 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 14,684 students complete it each year. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$37,963
Median Earnings · 4yr
$58,894
Colleges Offering
726
Graduates / Year
14,684
Avg Net Price / yr
$32,716

How Much Do Computer Software & Media Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Computer Software & Media, a typical graduate earns $58,894, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $35,549 and $88,211, 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 $37,963 at one year out to $58,894 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$37,963
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$58,894
4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$59,769
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Computer Software & Media 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.


Understanding the Cost vs. Return

At median 4-year earnings of $58,894 and an estimated $130,864 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.5 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 202 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 14,684 students who complete Computer Software & Media programs each year, the majority (36%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 36%
Master's 33%
Associate's 18%

What Can You Do With a Computer Software & Media Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Computer Software & Media graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Computer & Information Systems Manager pays the most at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Computer & Information Systems Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +15.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$175,140
$138K $221K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 53,500 openings/yr 671K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

  • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
  • Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
  • Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
↗ +21.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$140,300
$104K $189K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 2,900 openings/yr 37K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

  • Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software.
  • Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology, such as adapting principles for applying computers to new uses.
  • Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals.
↗ +9.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$139,500
$109K $169K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 3,900 openings/yr 67K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

  • Develop and document database architectures.
  • Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
  • Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
↗ +10.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$135,980
$105K $172K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 95,300 openings/yr 1.7M employed nationally
Programming Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension Active 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.
↗ +34.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$120,230
$86K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 24,800 openings/yr 262K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

  • Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
  • Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
↘ -0.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$104,620
$80K $135K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 3,300 openings/yr 70K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Complex Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

  • Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
  • Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
↗ +6.0% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$104,000
$73K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,300 openings/yr 113K employed nationally
Programming Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Judgment 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.
↘ -0.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$102,030
$75K $139K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,200 openings/yr 20K employed nationally
Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Speaking Judgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

  • Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
  • Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
  • Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.

Top Colleges for Computer Software & Media

Not sure where to study Computer Software & Media? 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 score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Berklee College of Music, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Berklee College of Music Boston, MA · Nonprofit 635 43.5% $49,465 $33,647
2 School of Visual Arts New York, NY · For-Profit 410 92.6% $57,914 $46,459
3 George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public 319 87.5% $17,915 $76,343
4 The New School New York, NY · Nonprofit 314 63.5% $58,741 $52,901
5 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit 308 99.5% $36,708 $50,318
6 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 275 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
7 Northeastern University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 214 5.2% $30,915 $92,538
8 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public 211 49.9% $14,600 $72,424
9 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY · Nonprofit 197 66.9% $34,906 $76,571
10 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit 148 9.8% $32,740 $92,498
11 New England College Henniker, NH · Nonprofit 134 92.1% $26,972 $42,092
12 University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN · Nonprofit 127 85.4% $29,155 $73,739
13 DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL · For-Profit 122 98.4% $30,770 $45,987
14 Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 120 11.1% $24,402 $83,238
15 DePaul University Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 119 75.9% $30,902 $68,751
16 Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID · Nonprofit 107 95.8% $8,221 $53,406
17 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 105 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
18 DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA · For-Profit 103 64.4% $44,446 $79,878
19 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public 97 86.1% $16,674 $59,979
20 Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RI · Nonprofit 96 18.7% $50,507 $68,140

Ranked by Computer Software & Media graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Computer Software & Media program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Computer Software & Media Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Computer Software & Media shows 4 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $58,894 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $37,963 at graduation to $58,894 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +34.6% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 196,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top 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 areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($35,549) and 75th ($88,211) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Computer Software & Media Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Computer Software & Media graduates earn?
$58,894 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $35,549 and $88,211, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Software & Media degree?
$37,963 in the first year out. That grows to $58,894 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 Software & Media degree?
Computer & Information Systems Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $175,140 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 Software & Media program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Computer Software & Media bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Computer Software & Media?
726 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 Software & Media degree worth it?
$58,894 median earnings four years out against $32,716 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Computer Software & Media and Computer Science?
Computer Software & Media is the narrower of the two: Computer Science covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Computer Software & Media-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 Software & Media graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Computer Software & Media 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 Software & Media 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 Software & Media graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +12.2% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +34.6%. 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.

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