Human-Centered Technology Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human-Centered Technology Design is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to developing technology that aligns with human needs, behaviors, and cognitive processes. This program equips students with the analytical and creative skills to design intuitive, effective, and ethical digital experiences by placing people at the core of innovation.
- Design Thinking: A structured approach to innovation that prioritizes empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iterative testing to solve complex problems through human-centric solutions.
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): The study of how people interact with digital systems, focusing on usability, accessibility, and the design of interfaces that enhance user performance and satisfaction.
- Cognitive Learning Principles: The application of psychological research on how people acquire, process, and retain information to inform the development of effective educational and interactive technologies.
- Neuroscience of Interaction: An exploration of brain function and neural responses during technology use, providing insight into attention, decision-making, and emotional engagement with digital environments.
- Perception and Cognition: The study of how individuals interpret sensory input and make sense of visual, auditory, and tactile information, critical for designing interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate.
- Product Design: The integration of form, function, and user experience in the creation of physical and digital products, emphasizing aesthetics, usability, and long-term user engagement.
- User-Centered Design (UCD): A design philosophy that involves users throughout the development lifecycle to ensure solutions meet real-world needs and expectations.
- Usability Engineering: A systematic method for evaluating and improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction of user interactions with technology through empirical testing and data-driven refinement.
Human-Centered Technology Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human-Centered Technology Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human-Centered Technology Design degrees, including Web and Digital Interface Designers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 111,400 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designers 15-1255 | $98,090 | $47,840 - $192,180 | 111,400 | $47.16 |
Human-Centered Technology Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,770 in Alabama to $130,240 in California—a 162% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 111,400 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Human-Centered Technology Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering Human-Centered Technology Design programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Human-Centered Technology Design is found at University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (199 graduates), Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Main Campus (98 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (78 graduates), Kent State University, Kent (69 graduates), and Kennesaw State University (KSU) (66 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 778 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
199 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
98 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
78 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
69 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Kennesaw State University (KSU) |
Bachelor's
|
66 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Public | kennesaw.edu |
| Bryan University |
Other Award
|
58 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | bryanuniversity.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
45 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Other Award
|
17 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Master's
|
11 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Master's
|
10 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
|
10 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Franklin University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Master's
|
7 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Master's
|
6 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| Husson University |
Other Award
|
2 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Residency
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Other Award
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human-Centered Technology Design programs
How much can I earn with a Human-Centered Technology Design degree?
Salaries for Human-Centered Technology Design graduates vary by role and location. Web and Digital Interface Designers earn a median of $98,090 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $130,240 compared to $49,770 in Alabama. Approximately 111,400 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Human-Centered Technology Design programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer Human-Centered Technology Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (199 graduates), Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Main Campus (98 graduates), and University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (78 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Human-Centered Technology Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Web and Digital Interface Designers. Related occupations employ approximately 111,400 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Computer & IT Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Computer & IT field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Informatics
A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems...
Computer and Information Sciences, Other
Any instructional program in computer science not listed above.
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...
Computer Programming Applications
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and...
Computer Programming
A program that prepares individuals to fulfill the requirements set by vendors for professional qualification as certified installation, customization, and maintenance engineers for...
Computer Game Programming
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of design and computer programming to the development of computer games. Includes...