Computer Systems Analysis: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Computer Systems Analysis equips students with the expertise to evaluate, design, and implement tailored computing solutions that align with organizational objectives. This program emphasizes a lifecycle approach to technology integration, focusing on the strategic deployment and optimization of software and hardware systems to meet evolving business demands.
- Computer Hardware and Software Integration: Explores the interaction between physical computing components and software systems, ensuring seamless compatibility and performance optimization.
- Operating Systems and System Execution: Covers the management and functionality of core operating environments, including process scheduling, memory control, and system stability.
- Programming Languages and Development: Provides hands-on experience with both low-level and high-level languages, enabling precise control and efficient code creation for diverse applications.
- Software Debugging and Testing Methodologies: Teaches systematic approaches to identifying, isolating, and resolving software defects through structured testing protocols and diagnostic tools.
- Process and Data Flow Analysis: Focuses on modeling workflows and information movement within systems to improve efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance system clarity.
- User Needs Assessment and Documentation: Trains students to gather, analyze, and document stakeholder requirements to ensure solutions are both functional and user-centered.
- Cost-Benefit and Feasibility Evaluation: Develops the ability to assess technical projects through economic and operational lenses, supporting informed decision-making.
- System Specification Design: Guides the creation of detailed technical blueprints that define system behavior, interfaces, and performance criteria for development and deployment.
Computer Systems Analysis Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Computer Systems Analysis Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computer Systems Analysis degrees, including Database Architects, Computer Network Architects and Computer Systems Analysts. 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 1,122,070 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Database Architects 15-1243 | $135,980 | $81,630 - $209,990 | 64,770 | $65.37 |
| Computer Network Architects 15-1241 | $130,390 | $79,520 - $198,030 | 177,010 | $62.69 |
| Computer Systems Analysts 15-1211 | $103,790 | $63,160 - $166,030 | 497,800 | $49.90 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 15-1253 | $102,610 | $60,690 - $166,960 | 199,800 | $49.33 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021 | $96,690 | $48,910 - $172,380 | 36,240 | N/A |
| Computer Network Support Specialists 15-1231 | $73,340 | $46,010 - $124,470 | 146,450 | $35.26 |
Computer Systems Analysis Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $75,948 in Louisiana to $128,187 in California—a 69% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,122,070 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 Systems Analysis by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 81 institutions offering Computer Systems Analysis 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 Systems Analysis is found at University of South Florida (USF) (342 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (265 graduates), Valencia College (215 graduates), University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) (212 graduates), and DeVry University, Illinois (202 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,034 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 South Florida (USF) |
Master's
|
342 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
|
265 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Valencia College |
Other Award
|
215 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
| University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
212 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | uis.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
202 | Lisle, Illinois | Private | devry.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
|
187 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Christian Brothers University (CBU) |
Master's
|
173 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | cbu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
135 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Postbac Cert.
|
118 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Other Award
|
103 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
96 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
94 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Indian River State College (IRSC) |
Other Award
|
66 | Fort Pierce, Florida | Public | irsc.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Mission College |
Other Award
|
44 | Santa Clara, California | Public | missioncollege.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Ontario, California | Private | devry.edu |
| University of Phoenix (UOPX) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
35 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | phoenix.edu |
| Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lit.edu |
| College of Central Florida (CF) |
Other Award
|
30 | Ocala, Florida | Public | cf.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
|
28 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
27 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| La Roche University (LRU) |
Master's
|
20 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | laroche.edu |
| Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | University Center, Michigan | Public | svsu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| DeVry College of New York |
Bachelor's
|
16 | New York, New York | Private | devry.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | devry.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Southern State Community College (SSCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Hillsboro, Ohio | Public | sscc.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Other Award
|
8 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Beckley, West Virginia | Public | wvutech.edu |
| Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | mybrcc.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Decatur, Georgia | Private | devry.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Orlando, Florida | Private | devry.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Wor-Wic Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | worwic.edu |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | kvcc.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Irving, Texas | Private | devry.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Laramie County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Public | lccc.wy.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Iselin, New Jersey | Private | devry.edu |
| Black River Technical College (BRTC) |
Residency
|
3 | Pocahontas, Arkansas | Public | blackrivertech.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Sylmar, California | Public | lamission.edu |
| Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Niceville, Florida | Public | nwfsc.edu |
| Lindenwood University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Charles, Missouri | Private | lindenwood.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) |
Residency
|
2 | Camden, Arkansas | Public | sautech.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Great Falls College Montana State University |
Associate's
|
2 | Great Falls, Montana | Public | gfcmsu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Linfield University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | McMinnville, Oregon | Private | linfield.edu |
| DeVry University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | devry.edu |
| California Institute of Arts & Technology (CalArts) |
Other Award
|
2 | San Diego, California | Private | ciat.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Wilmington, California | Public | lahc.edu |
| Merced College |
Other Award
|
1 | Merced, California | Public | mccd.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Carroll College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Helena, Montana | Private | carroll.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Computer Systems Analysis programs
How much can I earn with a Computer Systems Analysis degree?
Salaries for Computer Systems Analysis graduates vary by role and location. Database Architects earn a median of $135,980 annually, while Computer Network Architects earn around $130,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $128,187 compared to $75,948 in Louisiana. Approximately 1,122,070 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 Systems Analysis programs?
Currently 81 accredited institutions offer Computer Systems Analysis degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of South Florida (USF) (342 graduates), University of Houston (UH) (265 graduates), and Valencia College (215 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 Systems Analysis growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,061 in 2010 to 3,034 in 2023-24. This represents a 47% 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 Systems Analysis degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Database Architects, Computer Network Architects, and Computer Systems Analysts. Related occupations employ approximately 1,122,070 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 Systems Networking and Telecommunications
Any instructional program in computer systems networking and telecommunications not listed above.
Network and System Administration
A program that prepares individuals to manage the computer operations and control the system configurations emanating from a specific site or network hub....
System and Network Management
A program that prepares individuals to oversee and regulate the computer system and performance requirements of an entire organization or network of satellite...
Information Systems Security and Auditing
A program that prepares individuals to assess the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions, and manage the implementation, auditing,...
Web and Multimedia Management
A program that prepares individuals to develop and maintain web servers and the hosted web pages at one or a group of web...
IT Project Management
A program that prepares individuals to design, develop, and manage information technology projects in a variety of companies and organizations. Includes instruction in...