Computer Software and Media Applications
Computer & Information Sciences
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $41,962 | $35,994 to $55,604 | 14 | 93% |
| Associate's Degree | $42,754 | $37,536 to $50,935 | 30 | 77% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $61,892 | $50,374 to $75,792 | 49 | 94% |
| Master's Degree | $116,954 | $99,191 to $139,947 | 26 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +5% (2025 to 2035), about 233,100 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $135,980 | +10.2% | 95,300 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,140 | +15.8% | 53,500 |
| Data Scientists | $120,230 | +34.6% | 24,800 |
| Graphic Designers | $62,960 | -1.7% | 16,000 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $104,000 | +6% | 8,300 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $63,820 | -0.3% | 8,000 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a computer software and media applications program, of 548 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Western Governors University
- Berklee College of Music
- School of Visual Arts
- Northeastern University Professional Programs
- George Mason University
- The New School
- Academy of Art University
- Southern New Hampshire University
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.