Computer Programming programs
CIP 1102 · Computer & Information Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
27 institutions report graduate earnings for Computer Programming programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $78,404 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37× and 90% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 30 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of ChicagoIL · Master's | $179,964 n=16 | 100% 1yr | — | — | Above +163% | — |
| 2 | DePaul UniversityIL · Master's | $158,509 n=102 | 100% 5yr | $61,500 | 0.39× | Above +131% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWA · Bachelor's | $137,503 n=65 | 93% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.20× | Above +223% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's | $113,559 n=26 | 85% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.24× | Above +199% | — |
| 5 | Elon UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $111,448 n=22 | 95% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.17× | Above +225% | — |
| 6 | University of Michigan-DearbornMI · Bachelor's | $106,484 n=37 | 96% 5yr | $18,502 | 0.17× | Above +204% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $101,315 n=195 | 73% | $24,500 | 0.24× | Above +169% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Champlain CollegeVT · UG cert | $101,091 n=28 | — | — | — | Above +158% | — |
| 9 | Bellevue UniversityNE · Bachelor's | $90,435 n=59 | 94% 5yr | $20,517 | 0.23× | Above +143% | — |
| 10 | University of Akron Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $86,965 n=18 | 90% 1yr | $23,104 | 0.27× | Above +136% | — |
| 11 | Maryville University of Saint LouisMO · Master's | $84,866 n=17 | 89% 1yr | $33,334 | 0.39× | Above +46% | — |
| 12 | Southwestern CollegeKS · Bachelor's | $83,746 n=24 | 93% 1yr | — | — | Above +130% | — |
| 13 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $83,694 n=64 | 100% | $32,908 | 0.39× | Above +148% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | Missouri Southern State UniversityMO · Associate | $79,023 n=30 | 74% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.26× | Above +121% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Herzing University-AtlantaGA · Bachelor's | $78,404 n=23 | 90% 5yr | $31,000 | 0.40× | Above +122% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Herzing University-BrookfieldWI · Bachelor's | $78,404 n=23 | 90% 5yr | $31,000 | 0.40× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Herzing University-KenoshaWI · Bachelor's | $78,404 n=23 | 90% 5yr | $31,000 | 0.40× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | Herzing University-MinneapolisMN · Bachelor's | $78,404 n=23 | 90% 5yr | $31,000 | 0.40× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $76,918 n=132 | 100% | $46,918 | 0.61× | Above +109% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Fort Hays State UniversityKS · Bachelor's | $73,380 n=22 | 81% 1yr | $19,591 | 0.27× | Above +102% | — |
| 21 | University of Advancing TechnologyAZ · Bachelor's | $72,462 n=43 | 80% 5yr | $27,500 | 0.38× | Above +97% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · UG cert | $71,953 n=71 | 90% 5yr | $7,125 | 0.10× | Above +96% | — |
| 23 | Farmingdale State CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $71,665 n=195 | 95% 5yr | $16,750 | 0.23× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $67,437 n=52 | 91% 5yr | $24,862 | 0.37× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | Tulane University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's | $67,047 n=37 | 74% 5yr | $29,250 | 0.44× | Above +92% | — |
| 26 | Baker CollegeMI · Associate | $64,120 n=22 | 74% 5yr | $16,304 | 0.25× | Above +83% | Clears 2/2 |
| 27 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $60,493 n=73 | 74% 1yr | $19,437 | 0.32× | Above +52% | — |
| 28 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Associate | $59,102 n=22 | — | $32,375 | 0.55× | Above +75% | — |
| 29 | Wilmington UniversityDE · Bachelor's | $45,832 n=23 | — | $22,593 | 0.49× | Above +19% | — |
| 30 | Kent State University at KentOH · Associate | $45,424 n=48 | 77% 5yr | $17,750 | 0.39× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $158,509 | 3 |
| Arizona | $72,462 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Computer Programming programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Computer Programming programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Computer Programming programs in this dataset are University of Chicago ($179,964), DePaul University ($158,509), DigiPen Institute of Technology ($137,503). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Computer Programming programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 30 Computer Programming programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.