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.
Human Computer Interaction is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $50,526 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 59 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,324 students complete this program each year, most earning 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?
Human Computer Interaction graduates earn $50,526 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,459 and $83,092.
$59,722
1 Year After Graduation
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
There is a wide earnings spread across Human Computer Interaction graduates. 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?
Human Computer Interaction connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Computer & Information Systems Manager leads at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card 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
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Human Computer Interaction students they graduate 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 one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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 +19.7% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Research Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 71,400 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?
Human Computer Interaction graduates earn a national median of $50,526 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,459 and $83,092. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Human Computer Interaction degree?
One year after graduation, Human Computer Interaction degree holders earn a median of $59,722. That climbs to $50,526 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Human Computer Interaction degree?
Human Computer Interaction degree holders pursue careers including Computer & Information Systems Manager, which pays a median of $175,140/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Human Computer Interaction program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Human Computer Interaction students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Human Computer Interaction?
59 colleges and universities in the United States offer Human Computer Interaction programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Human Computer Interaction degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $50,526 and an average net price of roughly $29,122/yr, a Human Computer Interaction degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Human Computer Interaction and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Human Computer Interaction is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Human Computer Interaction-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Human Computer Interaction graduates?
Employers hiring Human Computer Interaction graduates consistently prioritize 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.
What is the job outlook for Human Computer Interaction graduates?
The job outlook for Human Computer Interaction graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +11.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +19.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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.
H
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