Human Computer Interaction graduates earn $50,526 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,459 and $83,092. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Human Computer Interaction 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 Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Human Computer Interaction is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $50,526 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 59 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,324 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,722
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,526
Colleges Offering
59
Graduates / Year
2,324
Avg Net Price / yr
$29,122
How Much Do Human Computer Interaction Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Human Computer Interaction, a typical graduate earns $50,526, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $33,459 and $83,092, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$50,526
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$87,243
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Human Computer Interaction graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$33,45925th pct.
$50,526Median
$83,09275th pct.
Understanding the Cost vs. Return
At median 4-year earnings of $50,526 and an estimated $116,488 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 5.7 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 19 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,324 students who complete Human Computer Interaction programs each year, the majority (50%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
43%50%
Master's50%
Bachelor's43%
Associate's3%
What Can You Do With a Human Computer Interaction Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Human Computer Interaction graduates show up in 4 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.
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive 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.
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.
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.
Top Colleges for Human Computer Interaction
Not sure where to study Human Computer Interaction? 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 Human Computer Interaction graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Human Computer Interaction is not the only path through Interdisciplinary Studies: 38 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 Human Computer Interaction program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Human Computer Interaction shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +21.8% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Research Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 67,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $50,526 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
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.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($33,459) and 75th ($83,092) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Human Computer Interaction Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Human Computer Interaction graduates earn?
$50,526 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $33,459 and $83,092, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Human Computer Interaction degree?
$59,722 in the first year out. That grows to $50,526 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 Human Computer Interaction 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 Human Computer Interaction program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Human Computer Interaction students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Human Computer Interaction?
59 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 Human Computer Interaction degree worth it?
$50,526 median earnings four years out against $29,122 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 Human Computer Interaction and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Human Computer Interaction is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Human Computer Interaction-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 Human Computer Interaction graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Human Computer Interaction graduates consistently look for writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Human Computer Interaction graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +12.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +21.8%. 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 Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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