Computer Systems Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Computer Systems Technology equips students with foundational engineering principles and hands-on technical expertise to support the effective operation and maintenance of complex computer systems. This program emphasizes practical problem-solving, system reliability, and the integration of hardware and software components within real-world environments.
- Computer Design and Architecture: Explores the structural organization of computing systems, including processor design, memory hierarchy, and data flow mechanisms that influence system performance.
- Programming Fundamentals: Develops proficiency in coding languages and logic structures essential for system configuration, automation, and application troubleshooting.
- Application-Specific Problem Solving: Focuses on diagnosing and resolving technical challenges unique to industry-specific software environments and workflows.
- System Maintenance and Inspection: Teaches standardized procedures for routine checks, component evaluation, and preventive upkeep to ensure system longevity and operational integrity.
- Hardware and Software Diagnostics: Provides training in identifying, isolating, and resolving failures across both physical components and digital systems with precision and efficiency.
- Technical Report Preparation: Builds skills in documenting system issues, repair processes, and recommendations using clear, professional, and standardized formats.
Computer Systems Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Computer Systems Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computer Systems Technology degrees, including Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. 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 356,920 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 15-1253 | $102,610 | $60,690 - $166,960 | 199,800 | $49.33 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 17-3029 | $77,390 | $47,010 - $114,630 | 64,410 | $37.21 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3023 | $77,180 | $48,250 - $111,790 | 92,710 | $37.11 |
Computer Systems Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $60,325 in South Dakota to $108,600 in Maryland—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 356,920 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 Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 69 institutions offering Computer Systems Technology 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 Technology is found at Montgomery College (MC) (157 graduates), California Institute of Arts & Technology (CalArts) (112 graduates), ECPI University (ECPI) (94 graduates), Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) (78 graduates), and Lorain County Community College (LCCC) (74 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,272 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
157 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| California Institute of Arts & Technology (CalArts) |
Other Award
|
112 | San Diego, California | Private | ciat.edu |
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
94 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
78 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Private | harrisburgu.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
74 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
60 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Other Award
|
53 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
47 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASU-Beebe) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Beebe, Arkansas | Public | asub.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Associate's
|
32 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Blue Bell, Pennsylvania | Public | mc3.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASUN) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Newport, Arkansas | Public | asun.edu |
| Prince George's Community College (PGCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Largo, Maryland | Public | pgcc.edu |
| Normandale Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Public | normandale.edu |
| Grayson College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
20 | Denison, Texas | Public | grayson.edu |
| Reading Area Community College (RACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Public | racc.edu |
| Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Fort Walton Beach, Florida | Public | otcollege.net |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
16 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College) |
Associate's
|
14 | Escanaba, Michigan | Public | baycollege.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Associate's
|
13 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Butler County Community College (BC3) |
Associate's
|
13 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Public | bc3.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Other Award
|
12 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Triton College |
Other Award
|
12 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| Columbus Technical College (Columbus Tech) |
Residency
|
11 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbustech.edu |
| ICPR Junior College (ICPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Arecibo, Puerto Rico | Private | icprjc.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Grants, New Mexico | Public | grants.nmsu.edu |
| ATA College |
Other Award
|
8 | El Cajon, California | Private | atacollege.edu |
| Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
7 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | seark.edu |
| Withlacoochee Technical College (WTC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Inverness, Florida | Public | wtcollege.org |
| Riverland Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Austin, Minnesota | Public | riverland.edu |
| Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | Public | luzerne.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| ICPR Junior College (ICPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | icprjc.edu |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology |
Associate's
|
6 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bfit.edu |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | capectc.org |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Associate's
|
6 | Huron, Ohio | Public | firelands.bgsu.edu |
| Oakton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| Parkland College |
Associate's
|
5 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Rend Lake College (RLC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Ina, Illinois | Public | rlc.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | llcc.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Associate's
|
4 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Grand River Technical School (GRTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Chillicothe, Missouri | Public | grts.org |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Associate's
|
4 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Associate's
|
4 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Jefferson Community College (JCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Watertown, New York | Public | sunyjefferson.edu |
| Bates Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | batestech.edu |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
Associate's
|
3 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uaptc.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Associate's
|
3 | Los Lunas, New Mexico | Public | valencia.unm.edu |
| ASPIRA City College |
Associate's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | aspiracitycollege.edu |
| Suncoast Technical College (STC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Sarasota, Florida | Public | sarasotacountyschools.net |
| University of Hawaii |
Associate's
|
2 | Kahului, Hawaii | Public | maui.hawaii.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
| Kellogg Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Public | kellogg.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers (ASUTR) |
Other Award
|
1 | Malvern, Arkansas | Public | asutr.edu |
| Capitol Technology University |
Associate's
|
1 | Laurel, Maryland | Private | captechu.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Other Award
|
1 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Lake Superior College (LSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | lsc.edu |
| Genesee Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Batavia, New York | Public | genesee.edu |
| Schenectady County Community College (SUNY SCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Schenectady, New York | Public | sunysccc.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Computer Systems Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Computer Systems Technology degree?
Salaries for Computer Systems Technology graduates vary by role and location. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn a median of $102,610 annually, while Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other earn around $77,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maryland average $108,600 compared to $60,325 in South Dakota. Approximately 356,920 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 Technology programs?
Currently 69 accredited institutions offer Computer Systems Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Montgomery College (MC) (157 graduates), California Institute of Arts & Technology (CalArts) (112 graduates), and ECPI University (ECPI) (94 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 Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,290 in 2010 to a peak of 2,001 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,272 in 2023-24. This represents a 61% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 356,920 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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