Computer Programming Applications: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Computer Programming Applications equips students with the technical expertise to design, implement, and maintain software solutions tailored to real-world challenges faced by individuals and organizations. This program emphasizes practical application of programming principles to address specific operational needs, focusing on customization, problem-solving, and system integration across diverse environments.
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): A structured process encompassing planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance to guide the creation and evolution of software systems.
- Programming Languages and Frameworks: Mastery of core languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, and C#, along with industry-standard frameworks used in web, mobile, and enterprise application development.
- Database Integration and Management: Techniques for designing, querying, and managing relational and non-relational databases to support data-driven applications and ensure efficient information retrieval.
- System Customization and Configuration: Skills in adapting off-the-shelf software to meet unique user requirements through scripting, configuration settings, and modular extensions.
- Software Installation and Maintenance: Best practices for deploying applications across various platforms, managing updates, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring system reliability and security.
- Problem-Solving and Algorithm Design: The ability to analyze complex operational challenges and develop efficient, scalable code solutions using logical structuring and optimized algorithms.
Computer Programming Applications Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Computer Programming Applications Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computer Programming Applications 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 1,964,110 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 |
Computer Programming Applications Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $68,693 in South Dakota to $151,333 in Washington—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include Washington, California, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,964,110 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 Applications by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Computer Programming Applications 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 Applications is found at College of DuPage (COD) (208 graduates), Stark State College (207 graduates), Portland Community College (PCC) (197 graduates), Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (132 graduates), and DSDT (125 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,744 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
208 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Stark State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
207 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
197 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
132 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| DSDT |
Residency
Other Award
|
125 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | dsdt.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
97 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College (MCC-KC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
93 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | mcckc.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
92 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Valencia College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
91 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Bachelor's
|
80 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
60 | Senatobia, Mississippi | Public | northwestms.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Other Award
|
58 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Maryville University of Saint Louis |
Master's
Other Award
|
51 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | maryville.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
44 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
42 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
41 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
31 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
27 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
26 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (CSTCC) |
Associate's
|
25 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | cincinnatistate.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
23 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
22 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | phsc.edu |
| Hinds Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22 | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Other Award
|
21 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
21 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) |
Other Award
|
21 | Clarkston, Georgia | Public | gptc.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
20 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Ottumwa, Iowa | Public | indianhills.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Champlain College |
Other Award
|
18 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
| Capella University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Lehi, Utah | Public | mtec.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Broward College (BC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| North Seattle College (NSC) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Seattle, Washington | Public | northseattle.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Meridian Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Meridian, Mississippi | Public | meridiancc.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| James A. Rhodes State College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Lima, Ohio | Public | rhodesstate.edu |
| Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Albany, Oregon | Public | linnbenton.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Other Award
|
15 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Waycross, Georgia | Public | coastalpines.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Public | stcc.edu |
| State Fair Community College (SFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Sedalia, Missouri | Public | sfccmo.edu |
| South Mountain Community College (SMCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | southmountaincc.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Public | iwcc.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Clark State College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Springfield, Ohio | Public | clarkstate.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Calmar, Iowa | Public | nicc.edu |
| Holy Family University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | holyfamily.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Santa Fe College (SF) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | sfcollege.edu |
| Danville Area Community College (DACC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Danville, Illinois | Public | dacc.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
8 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Other Award
|
8 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
8 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Other Award
|
7 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology |
Other Award
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bfit.edu |
| Mid Michigan College (Mid) |
Associate's
|
7 | Harrison, Michigan | Public | midmich.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lccc.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Associate's
|
7 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| McHenry County College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Public | mchenry.edu |
| Parkland College |
Associate's
|
6 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Mott Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Flint, Michigan | Public | mcc.edu |
| Pearl River Community College (PRCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Poplarville, Mississippi | Public | prcc.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
5 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Harford Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Bel Air, Maryland | Public | harford.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Lakeland Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Kirtland, Ohio | Public | lakelandcc.edu |
| Marion Technical College (MTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Marion, Ohio | Public | mtc.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Other Award
|
5 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASUMH) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Mountain Home, Arkansas | Public | asumh.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Computer Programming Applications programs
How much can I earn with a Computer Programming Applications degree?
Salaries for Computer Programming Applications 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 Washington average $151,333 compared to $68,693 in South Dakota. Approximately 1,964,110 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 Applications programs?
Currently 133 accredited institutions offer Computer Programming Applications degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include College of DuPage (COD) (208 graduates), Stark State College (207 graduates), and Portland Community College (PCC) (197 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 Applications growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,594 in 2010 to 2,813 in 2023-24. This represents a 76% 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 Applications degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, and Computer Programmers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,964,110 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.
Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management
Any instructional program in computer/information technology services administration and management not listed above.
Computer and Information Sciences, Other
Any instructional program in computer and information sciences and support services not listed above.
Computer and Information Sciences
A general program that focuses on computing, computer science, and information science and systems. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content...
Artificial Intelligence
A program that focuses on the symbolic inference, representation, and simulation by computers and software of human learning and reasoning processes and capabilities,...
Information Technology
A program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications...
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...