Computer Programming: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Computer Programming is a foundational discipline centered on the development, implementation, and maintenance of software solutions that power modern computing systems. This program equips learners with the technical expertise to design, write, test, and optimize code across a range of platforms and environments, with a strong emphasis on both system-level functionality and practical application.
- Software Design Principles: Covers systematic approaches to structuring software solutions, including modular architecture, algorithm efficiency, and user-centered development practices.
- Low- and High-Level Programming Languages: Explores the syntax, structure, and use cases of languages ranging from machine-oriented assembly to abstract, human-readable languages like Python and Java.
- Program Development and Implementation: Focuses on the full lifecycle of code creation—from initial concept and coding to compilation, execution, and integration into larger systems.
- Program Customization and Linking: Teaches how to adapt existing codebases for specific needs and combine multiple program modules into cohesive, functional applications.
- Prototype Testing and Debugging: Involves systematic evaluation of early software versions to identify errors, validate functionality, and ensure reliability before deployment.
- Operating Systems and Network Integration: Provides insight into how software interacts with system resources, process management, memory handling, and network protocols.
Computer Programming Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Computer Programming Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computer Programming degrees, including Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers and Computer Programmers. 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 2,337,060 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers 15-1252 | $133,080 | $79,850 - $211,450 | 1,654,440 | $63.98 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 15-1253 | $102,610 | $60,690 - $166,960 | 199,800 | $49.33 |
| Computer Programmers 15-1251 | $98,670 | $52,190 - $162,090 | 109,870 | $47.44 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers 15-1255 | $98,090 | $47,840 - $192,180 | 111,400 | $47.16 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021 | $96,690 | $48,910 - $172,380 | 36,240 | N/A |
| Web Developers 15-1254 | $90,930 | $48,560 - $162,870 | 78,860 | $43.72 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists 15-1231 | $73,340 | $46,010 - $124,470 | 146,450 | $35.26 |
Computer Programming Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $65,881 in Mississippi to $125,533 in California—a 91% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,337,060 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 Computer Programming by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Computer Programming 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 Computer Programming is found at Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (959 graduates), Austin Community College District (ACC) (646 graduates), Western Governors University (WGU) (367 graduates), Diablo Valley College (DVC) (325 graduates), and Dallas College (297 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,821 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
959 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
646 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Western Governors University (WGU) |
Bachelor's
|
367 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | wgu.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
325 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
297 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
264 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Valencia College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
261 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
202 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Associate's
|
172 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Amarillo College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
161 | Amarillo, Texas | Public | actx.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Other Award
|
151 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
138 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
125 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
118 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
116 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
113 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Other Award
|
106 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
102 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
102 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Other Award
|
98 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Stark State College |
Other Award
|
98 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Colorado Technical University (CTU) |
Other Award
|
93 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradotech.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
92 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) |
Other Award
|
89 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | nhcc.edu |
| Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
89 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | otc.edu |
| Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
|
89 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
87 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
86 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Associate's
Other Award
|
85 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
85 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
82 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
79 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
77 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
76 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| St Charles Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
75 | Cottleville, Missouri | Public | stchas.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
70 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Other Award
|
69 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
69 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
68 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
65 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
62 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
61 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
61 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Neumont College of Computer Science |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
61 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | neumont.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
60 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| De Anza College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
54 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Southeast Technical College (STC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Public | southeasttech.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
50 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
49 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Bellevue College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
48 | Bellevue, Washington | Public | bellevuecollege.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Associate's
|
47 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
45 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
44 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Greenville Technical College (GTC) |
Other Award
|
44 | Greenville, South Carolina | Public | gvltec.edu |
| Parkland College |
Other Award
|
43 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Terra State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | Fremont, Ohio | Public | terra.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
41 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| Marist College |
Master's
|
41 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | marist.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Champlain College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
40 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
| Essex County College (ECC) |
Associate's
|
39 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | essex.edu |
| Georgia Military College (GMC) |
Associate's
|
39 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gmc.edu |
| Hartnell College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
37 | Salinas, California | Public | hartnell.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
37 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
36 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Cascadia College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
36 | Bothell, Washington | Public | cascadia.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
35 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| University of Akron |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
35 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
35 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | francistuttle.edu |
| Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
35 | Lehi, Utah | Public | mtec.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
34 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) |
Associate's
|
33 | Linn, Missouri | Public | statetechmo.edu |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College |
Associate's
|
33 | Long Island City, New York | Public | lagcc.cuny.edu |
| Norco College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
|
31 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) |
Other Award
|
31 | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Public | iwcc.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Rose State College (RSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Midwest City, Oklahoma | Public | rose.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
30 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Jones County Junior College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Ellisville, Mississippi | Public | jcjc.edu |
| Tulsa Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
30 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsacc.edu |
| Alvin Community College (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Alvin, Texas | Public | alvincollege.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
29 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| Itawamba Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Fulton, Mississippi | Public | iccms.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Associate's
|
29 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Central Texas College (CTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Killeen, Texas | Public | ctcd.edu |
| Dixie Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
28 | Saint George, Utah | Public | dixietech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Computer Programming programs
How much can I earn with a Computer Programming degree?
Salaries for Computer Programming graduates vary by role and location. Software Developers earn a median of $133,080 annually, while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn around $102,610. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $125,533 compared to $65,881 in Mississippi. Approximately 2,337,060 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 Computer Programming programs?
Currently 390 accredited institutions offer Computer Programming degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (959 graduates), Austin Community College District (ACC) (646 graduates), and Western Governors University (WGU) (367 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.
Is enrollment in Computer Programming growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3,471 in 2010 to 11,341 in 2023-24. This represents a 227% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Computer Programming degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, and Computer Programmers. Related occupations employ approximately 2,337,060 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.
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