Computer Software and Media Applications programs
CIP 1108 · Computer & Information Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
71 institutions report graduate earnings for Computer Software and Media Applications programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $71,462 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37× and 93% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 3 of the 87 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.
| # | 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 | 86% 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 | The New SchoolNY · Bachelor's | $75,792 n=106 | 50% 1yr | $25,000 | 0.33× | Above +99% | — |
| 42 | University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Bachelor's | $74,146 n=48 | 77% 5yr | $25,500 | 0.34× | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 43 | Academy of Art UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $73,398 n=138 | 75% 5yr | $36,750 | 0.50× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 44 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Bachelor's | $71,462 n=30 | 82% 5yr | $15,000 | 0.21× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's | $71,462 n=30 | 82% 5yr | $15,000 | 0.21× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 46 | University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's | $69,981 n=52 | 51% 1yr | $21,800 | 0.31× | Above +82% | — |
| 47 | Champlain CollegeVT · Bachelor's | $67,795 n=41 | 83% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.40× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 48 | University of Silicon ValleyCA · Bachelor's | $67,659 n=26 | — | $31,000 | 0.46× | Above +76% | — |
| 49 | School of Visual ArtsNY · Bachelor's | $67,483 n=178 | 29% | $27,000 | 0.40× | Above +77% | Clears 2/2 |
| 50 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $66,676 n=20 | 100% | $42,395 | 0.64× | Above +97% | Clears 2/2 |
| 51 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $61,892 n=58 | 68% 1yr | $22,198 | 0.36× | Above +68% | — |
| 52 | Academy of Art UniversityCA · Associate | $60,731 n=37 | 50% 1yr | $31,211 | 0.51× | Above +58% | — |
| 53 | Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $60,310 n=27 | 89% 5yr | $26,950 | 0.45× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $59,769 n=71 | 88% 5yr | $19,739 | 0.33× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 55 | Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's | $59,766 n=125 | 38% | $20,101 | 0.34× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | Baker CollegeMI · Bachelor's | $58,655 n=26 | 86% 5yr | $40,744 | 0.69× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · UG cert | $58,242 n=16 | 82% 5yr | $7,125 | 0.12× | Above +58% | Clears 2/2 |
| 58 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Bachelor's | $57,772 n=111 | 65% 1yr | $21,771 | 0.38× | Above +30% | — |
| 59 | College of CharlestonSC · Bachelor's | $52,596 n=27 | — | $22,375 | 0.42× | Above +53% | — |
| 60 | University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's | $51,596 n=77 | 65% | $22,500 | 0.44× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | Wilmington UniversityDE · Bachelor's | $50,722 n=36 | 89% 5yr | $16,516 | 0.33× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 62 | Johnson & Wales University-OnlineRI · Bachelor's | $50,374 n=48 | 76% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Clears 2/2 |
| 63 | Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRI · Bachelor's | $50,374 n=48 | 76% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.54× | Above +20% | Clears 2/2 |
| 64 | Northwest Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $48,729 n=17 | 96% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.48× | Above +36% | — |
| 65 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignCO · Bachelor's | $48,472 n=51 | 59% 1yr | $31,000 | 0.64× | Above +17% | Clears 2/2 |
| 66 | DeVry University-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +29% | Clears 2/2 |
| 67 | DeVry University-FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +40% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | DeVry University-GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | DeVry University-New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +19% | Below 1/2 |
| 70 | DeVry University-OhioOH · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +29% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | DeVry University-TexasTX · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +33% | Clears 2/2 |
| 72 | DeVry University-VirginiaVA · Bachelor's | $47,440 n=170 | 100% | $41,879 | 0.88× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | University of DubuqueIA · Bachelor's | $46,296 n=17 | — | $17,570 | 0.38× | Above +20% | — |
| 74 | Eastern Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $46,104 n=81 | 48% | $20,296 | 0.44× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 75 | Lindenwood UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $45,810 n=72 | 36% | $23,804 | 0.52× | Above +28% | Clears 2/2 |
| 76 | Dakota State UniversitySD · Bachelor's | $42,513 n=32 | 90% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.64× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 77 | Berklee College of MusicMA · Bachelor's | $40,186 n=85 | 27% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.60× | Below -8% | — |
| 78 | DeVry University-ArizonaAZ · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 79 | DeVry University-FloridaFL · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +14% | Below 1/2 |
| 80 | DeVry University-GeorgiaGA · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +9% | Below 1/2 |
| 81 | DeVry University-New JerseyNJ · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Below -4% | Below 2/2 |
| 82 | DeVry University-OhioOH · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 83 | DeVry University-TexasTX · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 84 | DeVry University-VirginiaVA · Associate | $38,361 n=75 | 100% | $30,704 | 0.80× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 85 | Purdue University NorthwestIN · Bachelor's | $29,630 n=17 | — | — | — | Below -21% | — |
| 86 | Atlantic UniversityPR · Bachelor's | $21,309 n=101 | 29% | $4,049 | 0.19× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 87 | 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.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,898 | 3 |
| Utah | $129,737 | 3 |
| Massachusetts | $119,424 | 6 |
| North Carolina | $107,500 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,395 | 4 |
| New York | $89,704 | 7 |
| Virginia | $87,430 | 4 |
| California | $73,398 | 7 |
| Washington | $71,462 | 5 |
| Arizona | $58,242 | 5 |
| Florida | $57,058 | 4 |
| Texas | $51,596 | 5 |
| Missouri | $48,729 | 3 |
| Georgia | $47,440 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Computer Software and Media Applications programs, by median graduate earnings.
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, 3 of the 87 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.