Computer Software and Media Applications programs

CIP 1108 · Computer & Information Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

118 institutions report graduate earnings for Computer Software and Media Applications programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $55,878 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35× and 90% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 16 of the 138 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's	$179,055 n=18	94% 1yr	$63,625	0.35×	Above +138%	–
2	George Mason UniversityVA · Master's	$162,691 n=53	100% 1yr	$35,713	0.22×	Above +129%	–
3	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's	$162,114 n=45	94% 1yr	$19,230	0.12×	Above +362%	–
4	DePaul UniversityIL · Master's	$158,667 n=62	95% 5yr	$47,832	0.30×	Above +132%	Clears 2/2
5	Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's	$158,542 n=16	96% 1yr	$32,654	0.21×	Above +109%	–
6	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's	$158,542 n=16	96% 1yr	$32,654	0.21×	Above +109%	–
7	North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Master's	$148,845 n=124	100% 5yr	$29,283	0.20×	Above +153%	Clears 2/2
8	Lewis UniversityIL · Master's	$140,898 n=39	100% 1yr	$41,000	0.29×	Above +106%	–
9	Boston UniversityMA · Master's	$140,032 n=42	96% 1yr	$33,034	0.24×	Above +85%	–
10	Regis UniversityCO · Master's	$139,693 n=32	97% 1yr	$30,776	0.22×	Above +107%	–
11	George Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$134,232 n=40	91% 1yr	$46,000	0.34×	Above +55%	–
12	Western Governors UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$131,198 n=22	87% 1yr	$12,566	0.10×	Above +230%	–
13	Western Governors UniversityUT · Master's	$129,737 n=90	98% 1yr	$12,718	0.10×	Above +117%	–
14	University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Master's	$127,420 n=20	95% 5yr	$38,614	0.30×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
15	DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWA · Bachelor's	$122,375 n=22	94% 1yr	$26,924	0.22×	Above +187%	–
16	University of GeorgiaGA · Master's	$120,108 n=19	100% 1yr	$45,255	0.38×	Above +90%	–
17	University of St ThomasMN · Master's	$119,571 n=32	96% 1yr	$43,322	0.36×	Above +75%	–
18	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$115,839 n=22	97% 5yr	$20,500	0.18×	Above +201%	Clears 2/2
19	CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNY · Master's	$114,338 n=37	93% 1yr	$16,000	0.14×	Above +61%	–
20	Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Master's	$113,586 n=30	82% 1yr	$111,064	0.98×	Above +77%	–
21	The New SchoolNY · Master's	$113,315 n=36	69% 1yr	$66,000	0.58×	Above +60%	–
22	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Master's	$107,500 n=16	–	–	–	Above +83%	–
23	Pace UniversityNY · Master's	$105,796 n=21	93% 5yr	$30,750	0.29×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
24	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Grad cert	$104,433 n=26	100% 1yr	$24,814	0.24×	Above +78%	–
25	Wellesley CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$98,816 n=23	–	$11,100	0.11×	Above +127%	–
26	Park UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$98,256 n=44	100% 5yr	$25,000	0.25×	Above +175%	Clears 2/2
27	Robert Morris UniversityPA · Master's	$96,989 n=24	100% 1yr	$33,016	0.34×	Above +51%	–
28	DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$96,616 n=18	–	$24,999	0.26×	Above +156%	–
29	Pennsylvania Western UniversityPA · Master's	$95,801 n=19	–	–	–	Above +49%	–
30	Worcester Polytechnic InstituteMA · Bachelor's	$95,430 n=24	–	$24,656	0.26×	Above +119%	–
31	Austin Peay State UniversityTN · Master's	$93,644 n=26	90% 1yr	$19,273	0.21×	Above +64%	–
32	University of UtahUT · Master's	$93,475 n=39	80% 5yr	$41,000	0.44×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
33	Florida Polytechnic UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$92,070 n=67	86% 1yr	$7,875	0.09×	Above +173%	–
34	New York UniversityNY · Master's	$89,704 n=63	92% 5yr	$96,562	1.08×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
35	Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY · Bachelor's	$88,096 n=154	77%	$27,000	0.31×	Above +132%	Clears 2/2
36	Academy of Art UniversityCA · Master's	$87,998 n=125	91% 5yr	$71,352	0.81×	Above +17%	Clears 2/2
37	University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointWI · Bachelor's	$84,809 n=39	91% 5yr	$22,939	0.27×	Above +118%	Clears 2/2
38	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Master's	$84,637 n=16	84% 1yr	–	–	Above +29%	–
39	Seattle UniversityWA · Post-bacc cert	$82,592 n=16	–	–	–	Above +10%	–
40	University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$81,636 n=53	100%	$43,911	0.54×	Above +122%	Clears 2/2
41	Madison Area Technical CollegeWI · Associate	$80,056 n=51	86% 1yr	$13,149	0.16×	Above +105%	–
42	The New SchoolNY · Bachelor's	$75,792 n=106	51% 1yr	$25,000	0.33×	Above +99%	–
43	University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Bachelor's	$74,146 n=48	77% 5yr	$25,500	0.34×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
44	Dunwoody College of TechnologyMN · Associate	$73,691 n=39	86% 5yr	$20,000	0.27×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
45	Academy of Art UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$73,398 n=138	75% 5yr	$36,750	0.50×	Above +91%	Clears 2/2
46	University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's	$71,462 n=30	82% 5yr	$15,000	0.21×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
47	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's	$71,462 n=30	82% 5yr	$15,000	0.21×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
48	University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's	$69,981 n=52	51% 1yr	$21,800	0.31×	Above +82%	–
49	Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMN · Associate	$68,249 n=23	68% 5yr	$19,016	0.28×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
50	Champlain CollegeVT · Bachelor's	$67,795 n=41	83% 5yr	$27,000	0.40×	Above +73%	Clears 2/2
51	University of Silicon ValleyCA · Bachelor's	$67,659 n=26	–	$31,000	0.46×	Above +76%	–
52	School of Visual ArtsNY · Bachelor's	$67,483 n=178	29%	$27,000	0.40×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
53	Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$66,676 n=20	100%	$42,395	0.64×	Above +97%	Clears 2/2
54	Brigham Young University-IdahoID · Bachelor's	$65,397 n=64	68% 5yr	$9,312	0.14×	Above +84%	Clears 2/2
55	Ivy Tech Community CollegeIN · Associate	$63,953 n=20	–	–	–	Above +71%	–
56	Portland Community CollegeOR · Associate	$63,183 n=19	81% 5yr	$21,356	0.34×	Above +72%	Clears 2/2
57	University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$61,892 n=58	68% 1yr	$22,198	0.36×	Above +68%	–
58	Southern Careers Institute-AustinTX · UG cert	$61,865 n=93	52% 1yr	$7,389	0.12×	Above +73%	–
59	Hunter Business SchoolNY · UG cert	$61,580 n=21	–	$9,223	0.15×	Above +62%	–
60	Utah Valley UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$61,451 n=121	59%	$18,000	0.29×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
61	College of Western IdahoID · UG cert	$60,808 n=22	–	–	–	Above +71%	–
62	Academy of Art UniversityCA · Associate	$60,731 n=37	50% 1yr	$31,211	0.51×	Above +58%	–
63	New England Institute of TechnologyRI · Bachelor's	$60,524 n=29	93% 5yr	$31,000	0.51×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
64	Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$60,310 n=27	89% 5yr	$26,950	0.45×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
65	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's	$59,769 n=71	88% 5yr	$19,739	0.33×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
66	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's	$59,766 n=125	38%	$20,101	0.34×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
67	Baker CollegeMI · Bachelor's	$58,655 n=26	86% 5yr	$40,744	0.69×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
68	University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · UG cert	$58,242 n=16	82% 5yr	$7,125	0.12×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
69	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Bachelor's	$57,772 n=111	65% 1yr	$21,771	0.38×	Above +30%	–
70	Lorain County Community CollegeOH · Associate	$53,984 n=17	94% 5yr	–	–	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
71	College of CharlestonSC · Bachelor's	$52,596 n=27	–	$22,375	0.42×	Above +53%	–
72	Pennsylvania College of TechnologyPA · Bachelor's	$51,764 n=41	77% 1yr	$27,970	0.54×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
73	University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's	$51,596 n=77	65%	$22,500	0.44×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
74	College of Western IdahoID · Associate	$51,584 n=24	–	$7,550	0.15×	Above +45%	–
75	Wilmington UniversityDE · Bachelor's	$50,722 n=36	89% 5yr	$16,516	0.33×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
76	Johnson & Wales University-OnlineRI · Bachelor's	$50,374 n=48	76% 5yr	$27,000	0.54×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
77	Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRI · Bachelor's	$50,374 n=48	76% 5yr	$27,000	0.54×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
78	Palm Beach State CollegeFL · Associate	$48,988 n=20	–	–	–	Above +45%	–
79	Northwest Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$48,729 n=17	96% 5yr	$23,250	0.48×	Above +36%	–
80	Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignCO · Bachelor's	$48,472 n=51	59% 1yr	$31,000	0.64×	Above +17%	Clears 2/2
81	Ogden-Weber Technical CollegeUT · UG cert	$47,690 n=21	–	–	–	Above +20%	–
82	DeVry University-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
83	DeVry University-CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +23%	Clears 2/2
84	DeVry University-FloridaFL · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
85	DeVry University-GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2
86	DeVry University-IllinoisIL · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
87	DeVry University-New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
88	DeVry University-OhioOH · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
89	DeVry University-TexasTX · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
90	DeVry University-VirginiaVA · Bachelor's	$47,440 n=170	100%	$41,879	0.88×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
91	Davis Technical CollegeUT · UG cert	$47,382 n=22	–	–	–	Above +19%	–
92	Lakeshore Technical CollegeWI · Associate	$47,111 n=17	–	$11,000	0.23×	Above +21%	–
93	University of DubuqueIA · Bachelor's	$46,296 n=17	–	$17,570	0.38×	Above +20%	–
94	Valencia CollegeFL · Associate	$46,230 n=44	68% 5yr	$15,280	0.33×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
95	Eastern Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$46,104 n=81	48%	$20,296	0.44×	Above +8%	Below 1/2
96	Lindenwood UniversityMO · Bachelor's	$45,810 n=72	36%	$23,804	0.52×	Above +28%	Clears 2/2
97	Texas State Technical CollegeTX · Associate	$45,721 n=17	–	–	–	Above +28%	–
98	Harrisburg Area Community CollegePA · Associate	$44,256 n=29	69% 1yr	$13,809	0.31×	Above +17%	–
99	Indian River State CollegeFL · Associate	$43,997 n=18	–	–	–	Above +30%	–
100	CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNY · Associate	$43,531 n=64	39%	–	–	Above +14%	Below 1/2
101	Academy of Interactive EntertainmentWA · UG cert	$42,554 n=36	70% 5yr	$12,000	0.28×	Below +0%	Below 2/2
102	Dakota State UniversitySD · Bachelor's	$42,513 n=32	91% 5yr	$27,000	0.64×	Above +15%	Below 1/2
103	Hudson Valley Community CollegeNY · Associate	$41,976 n=50	–	$10,909	0.26×	Above +10%	Below 1/2
104	Polk State CollegeFL · Associate	$41,443 n=17	–	–	–	Above +23%	–
105	DeVry University-IllinoisIL · UG cert	$41,369 n=63	57% 1yr	$15,409	0.37×	Above +10%	–
106	Santa Fe CollegeFL · Associate	$40,794 n=17	–	$15,326	0.38×	Above +21%	–
107	St Petersburg CollegeFL · Associate	$40,278 n=29	–	$16,573	0.41×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
108	Berklee College of MusicMA · Bachelor's	$40,186 n=85	27% 1yr	$24,250	0.60×	Below -8%	–
109	Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeWI · Associate	$39,598 n=16	67% 5yr	$11,325	0.29×	Above +2%	Below 1/2
110	Dallas CollegeTX · UG cert	$38,810 n=33	66% 1yr	–	–	Above +9%	–
111	DeVry University-ArizonaAZ · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +4%	Below 1/2
112	DeVry University-CaliforniaCA · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Below +0%	Below 2/2
113	DeVry University-FloridaFL · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +14%	Below 1/2
114	DeVry University-GeorgiaGA · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
115	DeVry University-IllinoisIL · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +2%	Below 1/2
116	DeVry University-New JerseyNJ · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
117	DeVry University-OhioOH · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +4%	Below 1/2
118	DeVry University-TexasTX · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +7%	Below 1/2
119	DeVry University-VirginiaVA · Associate	$38,361 n=75	100%	$30,704	0.80×	Above +1%	Below 1/2
120	Quinsigamond Community CollegeMA · Associate	$37,814 n=26	–	$19,235	0.51×	Below -13%	Below 2/2
121	Southwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeWI · Associate	$37,444 n=19	–	–	–	Below -4%	–
122	Luzerne County Community CollegePA · Associate	$36,875 n=20	–	–	–	Below -2%	–
123	Florida Institute of Recording Sound and TechnologyFL · UG cert	$36,774 n=24	–	$7,853	0.21×	Above +9%	–
124	CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeNY · Associate	$36,393 n=44	–	–	–	Below -4%	Below 2/2
125	Rasmussen University-MinnesotaMN · Associate	$35,671 n=18	100%	$23,295	0.65×	Below -11%	Below 2/2
126	Stark State CollegeOH · Associate	$34,518 n=50	36%	$6,699	0.19×	Below -6%	Below 2/2
127	Sullivan UniversityKY · Associate	$34,009 n=31	77% 5yr	$24,962	0.73×	Below -2%	Below 1/2
128	Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland CampusNJ · Associate	$33,043 n=18	–	–	–	Below -17%	–
129	Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester CampusNJ · Associate	$33,043 n=18	–	–	–	Below -17%	Below 2/2
130	Academy of Interactive EntertainmentLA · UG cert	$32,664 n=21	–	$10,556	0.32×	Below -6%	–
131	Purdue University NorthwestIN · Bachelor's	$29,630 n=17	–	–	–	Below -21%	–
132	Southern Arkansas University TechAR · Associate	$25,174 n=18	–	–	–	Below -26%	Below 2/2
133	Atlantic UniversityPR · Bachelor's	$21,309 n=101	29%	$4,049	0.19×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
134	ICPR Junior CollegePR · UG cert	$19,639 n=31	–	–	–	Above +19%	–
135	ICPR Junior CollegePR · UG cert	$19,639 n=31	–	–	–	Above +19%	–
136	ICPR Junior College-AreciboPR · UG cert	$19,639 n=31	–	–	–	Above +19%	–
137	ICPR Junior College-MayaguezPR · UG cert	$19,639 n=31	–	–	–	Above +19%	–
138	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina CampusPR · UG cert	$17,767 n=47	–	$5,044	0.28×	Above +8%	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.

By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
North Carolina	$107,500	3
Massachusetts	$98,816	7
Virginia	$87,430	4
Utah	$77,463	6
New York	$75,792	11
Illinois	$72,028	6
Washington	$71,462	6
Minnesota	$70,970	4
California	$69,981	9
Idaho	$60,808	3
Wisconsin	$60,629	6
Pennsylvania	$60,310	7
Indiana	$59,766	3
Arizona	$58,242	5
Rhode Island	$50,374	3
Texas	$49,518	8
Missouri	$48,729	3
Georgia	$47,440	3
Florida	$43,997	11
Ohio	$42,901	4
New Jersey	$35,702	4
Puerto Rico	$19,639	6

States with at least 3 reporting Computer Software and Media Applications programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Computer Software and Media Applications programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Computer Software and Media Applications programs in this dataset are University of Southern California ($179,055), George Mason University ($162,691), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($162,114). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Computer Software and Media Applications programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 16 of the 138 Computer Software and Media Applications 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.