Computer Software and Media Applications Degrees (2026…

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Computer Software and Media Applications maps to BLS occupations averaging about N/A, with roughly 11,401,570 workers nationwide in those roles. About 1,050 bachelor's completions in IPEDS 2023; median program completion runs near 62%.

Computer Software and Media Applications: what the data shows

Common questions about computer software and media applications degrees, answered from IPEDS, College Scorecard, BLS OEWS, and O*NET in this repository—not program marketing copy.

What is a computer software and media applications degree?

A Computer Software and Media Applications program is classified under NCES CIP 11.0800 in the Computer Software and Media Applications field family (00.11).

IPEDS counted 4,270 completions for this CIP in the survey year in our extract.

Types of computer software and media applications degrees and related programs

Other NCES program codes in the 00.11 family with pages on EDsmart Data:

Computer Programming (CIP 00.1102)
Computer Science (CIP 00.1107)
Computer Systems Analysis (CIP 00.1105)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (CIP 00.1109)
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications (CIP 00.1106)
Data Processing (CIP 00.1103)
Information Science/Studies (CIP 00.1104)

How long does it take to get a computer software and media applications degree?

Award levels reported to IPEDS for CIP 11.0800 in our file:

1,050 Bachelor's (30.9% of IPEDS total)—typically four years
2,255 Master's (66.3% of IPEDS total)—one to two years beyond a bachelor's
95 Doctorate (2.8% of IPEDS total)—varies by program

Time to completion depends on enrollment intensity and transfer credits; figures above describe credential type, not calendar time for every student.

What do you learn in computer software and media applications?

O*NET skill ratings for occupations mapped to this major emphasize Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, and related competencies. See the Skills section for the full list in our extract.

What jobs can you get with a computer software and media applications degree?

Our degree→occupation mapping links Computer Software and Media Applications to the BLS roles below. Employment is U.S. OEWS; median wage is national May 2024 where published in our extract.

Occupation	U.S. employment	Median annual wage
Security Guards	1,241,770	$38,370
Glaziers	57,000	$55,440
Athletes and Sports Competitors	14,370	$62,360
Food Preparation Workers	888,770	$34,220
Credit Counselors	28,110	$50,480
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	2,199,900	$35,930
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	13,560	$71,470

See Careers & Jobs for mean wages and industry context.

Is a computer software and media applications degree worth it?

College Scorecard national medians for the Computer Software and Media Applications bachelor's program family: median debt $23,839, median earnings $58,894 four years after enrollment. Debt-to-earnings proxy: 0.63.

About 9.8% of graduates in this field family were not working and not enrolled one year after completion in Scorecard's national program medians.

Among schools reporting in our Scorecard extract, median published in-state tuition is $9,748 and median net price is $17,525.

We do not score "worth" on opinion—compare debt, earnings, wages for mapped occupations, and completion data above against your cost and career target.

Institutions

Information about the types of higher education institutions that grant degrees in Computer Software and Media Applications and the types of students that study this field.

Tuition Costs for Common Institutions

$9,748 Median In-State Public

$31,734 Median Out of State Private

Tuition costs for Computer Software and Media Applications majors are, on average, $9,748 for in-state public colleges, and $31,734 for out of state private colleges.

Tuition costs comparison for Computer Software and Media Applications programs.

Degrees Awarded Over Time

4,270 Total Degrees Awarded in 2023

This chart shows the number of degrees awarded in Computer Software and Media Applications from 2015 to 2023.

Historical trend of degrees awarded in Computer Software and Media Applications.

Top 5 Schools by Enrollment

#	School	State	Enrollment
1	Southern New Hampshire University	NH	156,755
2	Western Governors University	UT	135,822
3	University of Phoenix-Arizona	AZ	76,996
4	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	AZ	64,398
5	Texas A&M University-College Station	TX	59,099

Schools with the largest enrollment offering Computer Software and Media Applications programs.

Top 5 Most Affordable Tuition

#	School	State	Tuition
1	Antelope Valley Community College District	CA	$1,124
2	Imperial Valley College	CA	$1,126
3	Lake Tahoe Community College	CA	$1,131
4	El Camino Community College District	CA	$1,144
5	Laney College	CA	$1,148

Schools with the lowest tuition costs for Computer Software and Media Applications programs.

Top 5 Lowest Net Price

#	School	State	Net Price
1	Canada College	CA	$10
2	Oconee Fall Line Technical College	GA	$294
3	Henry Ford College	MI	$576
4	Moorpark College	CA	$742
5	Wiregrass Georgia Technical College	GA	$1,228

Schools with the lowest average net price for Computer Software and Media Applications programs.

Graduation Rates

61.74% Median Graduation Rate (150% of normal time)

59.65% Average Graduation Rate

123 Institutions Reporting

46.86% - 72.86% Interquartile Range

Graduation/completion rates for Computer Software and Media Applications programs across institutions.

Related specializations

Other NCES program codes in the 00.11 CIP family with dedicated pages on EDsmart Data.

Computer Programming CIP 00.1102
Computer Science CIP 00.1107
Computer Systems Analysis CIP 00.1105
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications CIP 00.1109
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications CIP 00.1106
Data Processing CIP 00.1103
Information Science/Studies CIP 00.1104

Degree Levels (IPEDS)

Completions reported to IPEDS for CIP 11.0800 in the survey year used in our extract (3,400 total across levels below).

1,050 Bachelor's (30.9% of IPEDS total)
2,255 Master's (66.3% of IPEDS total)
95 Doctorate (2.8% of IPEDS total)

Source: IPEDS Completions (c2024_a), summed by award level for this CIP.

Careers & Jobs

Occupations linked to this major in our degree→career mapping, with wages and employment from processed BLS career profiles in this repo.

Across these BLS occupations, employment-weighted mean pay is about N/A. Figures are national OEWS estimates for the occupation—not earnings of Computer Software and Media Applications graduates alone.

Related occupations (BLS OEWS)

Occupation	Mean annual wage	U.S. employment
Security Guards	$47,277	1,241,770
Glaziers	$78,213	57,000
Athletes and Sports Competitors	—	14,370
Food Preparation Workers	$41,662	888,770
Credit Counselors	$70,096	28,110
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	$44,007	2,199,900
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	$150,009	13,560
Materials Engineers	$134,642	22,770
Cooks, Fast Food	$39,512	668,230
Hearing Aid Specialists	$78,250	10,580
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	$58,116	36,880
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$141,278	1,050
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	$110,339	84,930
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$53,104	96,950
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$109,466	86,820
Chemical Plant and System Operators	$91,076	17,840
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	$66,530	15,080
Locomotive Engineers	$73,402	31,990
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$122,183	86,460
Sociologists	$121,792	2,950
Models	$82,578	5,350
Set and Exhibit Designers	$105,707	10,850
Power Plant Operators	$113,247	30,720
Animal Caretakers	$41,456	277,300
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	$45,346	2,982,530
Database Administrators	$122,296	73,180
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	$46,835	14,960
Aerospace Engineers	$161,328	68,440
Lawyers	$261,078	747,750
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$80,395	154,540
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$67,248	385,000
Floral Designers	$49,284	40,160
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	$62,277	23,420
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	$58,747	53,380
Mechanical Door Repairers	$60,457	27,970
Manicurists and Pedicurists	$38,587	147,820
Information Security Analysts	$156,788	179,430
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$118,943	23,040
Commercial and Industrial Designers	$106,220	30,250
Cashiers	$39,622	3,148,030
Tellers	$47,338	339,340
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$141,801	176,420
Bailiffs	$99,202	16,910
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	$73,613	81,510
Physical Therapist Aides	$40,345	44,010
Floor Sanders and Finishers	$60,528	4,140
Correctional Officers and Jailers	$94,071	365,380
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	$51,473	8,470
Dietetic Technicians	$48,031	29,950
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$98,794	600,680
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	$48,398	448,260
Tire Repairers and Changers	$45,741	106,620
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	$88,285	3,230
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders	$47,462	27,660
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$127,925	7,130
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	$98,445	12,630
Exercise Physiologists	$68,153	8,110
Physicists	$192,822	21,340
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$108,560	472,300
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	$57,329	1,737,820
Office Clerks, General	$52,262	2,510,550
Geographers	—	1,380
Construction Laborers	$68,084	1,057,660
Database Architects	$167,245	64,770
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$80,653	455,940
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	$99,297	35,390
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	$93,002	7,310
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	$96,463	46,920
Genetic Counselors	$143,815	3,510
Health Education Specialists	$71,851	65,150
Pharmacy Aides	$52,203	41,100
Financial Managers	$214,546	818,620
Commercial Divers	$100,858	3,430
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	$128,201	23,340
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	$92,656	45,680
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	$68,622	155,220
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$64,082	303,620
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$129,691	21,170
Motorcycle Mechanics	$59,862	14,010
Electrical and Electronics Repairers	$83,913	59,990
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	$91,997	13,090
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$88,062	136,390
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$47,349	47,540
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$92,251	111,150
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	$75,840	42,710
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$141,771	12,380
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	$72,247	287,230
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	$96,750	104,450
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	$93,432	131,830
Bakers	$43,665	231,890
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$130,318	97,890
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	$50,948	295,460
Barbers	$46,773	18,100
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$139,306	39,910
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	$104,536	74,250
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$51,689	28,550
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	$164,759	3,290
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	$47,431	943,430
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$80,558	1,495,580
Sewing Machine Operators	$40,967	109,590
Hydrologists	$122,789	5,720
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	$43,191	261,430
Sewers, Hand	$40,228	2,240
Licensed Practical Nurses	$81,239	632,430
Construction Managers	$139,978	348,330
Sailors and Marine Oilers	$58,048	31,360
Shampooers	$36,653	8,890
Gas Plant Operators	$121,763	15,910
Social and Human Service Assistants	$56,515	424,220
Biochemists and Biophysicists	$133,564	34,520
Tapers	$76,494	12,500
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	$105,634	34,860
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas	$73,571	44,120
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	$96,985	219,010
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers	$67,574	15,550
Costume Attendants	$88,970	6,290
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$121,690	41,530
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$79,774	153,890
Postal Service Mail Carriers	$62,007	336,040
Transportation Security Screeners	$68,936	46,340
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	$44,404	12,170
Helpers--Extraction Workers	$49,287	6,720
Rehabilitation Counselors	$50,866	88,930
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$145,212	59,590
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	$53,597	5,730
Software Quality Assurance Analysts	$133,790	199,800
Audio and Video Technicians	$74,820	70,080
Political Scientists	$135,834	5,950
Postal Service Clerks	$64,786	78,060
Urban and Regional Planners	$114,551	43,040
Nurse Anesthetists	$225,979	50,350
Fashion Designers	—	20,910
Procurement Clerks	$57,257	59,900
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	$77,874	64,720
Food Scientists and Technologists	$94,315	14,370
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons	$49,936	7,220
Pharmacists	$166,516	328,870
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	$127,278	23,220
Advertising Sales Agents	$76,954	97,470
Nuclear Engineers	$175,195	14,740
Log Graders and Scalers	$54,856	3,310
Special Education Teachers	$62,288	28,200
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	$53,741	16,290
Plumbers	$79,263	33,580
Coaches and Scouts	$64,558	250,940
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$124,545	41,610
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$138,186	229,720
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	$49,001	16,160
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$82,652	685,140
Data Entry Keyers	$48,227	135,280
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	$60,965	1,455,770
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$103,334	59,090
Couriers and Messengers	$46,194	71,920
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$41,767	14,530
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers	$49,616	14,900
Sheet Metal Workers	$89,073	117,470
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$155,412	12,420
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	$40,321	26,830
Gambling Cage Workers	$43,068	13,490
Meter Readers, Utilities	$80,262	19,620
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$150,347	319,630
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$108,634	8,700
Opticians, Dispensing	$60,603	79,690
Brokerage Clerks	$74,715	40,090
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	$86,727	98,360
Highway Maintenance Workers	$63,452	151,750
Carpet Installers	$56,905	14,980
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	$45,617	192,480
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$64,394	110,390
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers	$39,581	4,590
Library Technicians	$56,063	73,770
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers	$43,235	1,450
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	$65,389	156,950
Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$154,765	16,960
Occupational Therapy Assistants	$83,755	47,910
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers	$65,027	2,010
Concierges	$47,750	44,200
Bill and Account Collectors	$59,893	165,020
Etchers and Engravers	$47,995	8,390
Agricultural Inspectors	$62,340	12,090
General and Operations Managers	$166,358	3,584,420
Receptionists and Information Clerks	$45,949	964,530
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping	$49,115	49,720
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	$78,450	82,900
Audiologists	$123,159	14,730
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	$85,392	180,270
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks	$53,927	11,960
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$60,758	159,500
Optometrists	$146,732	41,890
Landscape Architects	$114,469	19,580
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners	$41,322	7,600
Electrical Engineers	$152,423	188,790
Tool and Die Makers	$77,564	55,130
Photographers	$78,302	51,230
Intelligence Analysts	$124,368	110,790
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products	$38,386	26,870
Credit Analysts	$110,532	67,370
Producers and Directors	$165,848	145,270
Waiters and Waitresses	$45,508	2,302,690
Rock Splitters, Quarry	$72,974	3,080
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	$49,880	445,080
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	$65,092	5,160
Gambling Dealers	$42,289	82,980
Travel Agents	$55,880	59,150
Historians	$91,141	3,140
Editors	$106,703	95,480
Furniture Finishers	$49,985	14,230
Sales Managers	$160,084	603,710
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$114,804	666,990
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners	$48,935	5,730
Bridge and Lock Tenders	$66,529	2,720
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$83,027	48,170
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	$46,908	6,590
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	$47,379	43,140
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$155,792	36,240
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	$54,799	34,240
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	—	25,580
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	$56,103	157,310
Air Traffic Controllers	$156,689	22,400
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	$59,116	173,100
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	$81,351	53,530
Transit and Railroad Police	$103,090	3,000
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$77,720	421,940
Phlebotomists	$56,934	138,880
Film and Video Editors	$101,742	28,860
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$59,486	127,410
Pest Control Workers	$47,040	96,110
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$88,747	126,750
Forest and Conservation Workers	$44,912	5,630
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film	$101,783	24,460
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	$59,617	92,580
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	$58,299	229,070
Medical Appliance Technicians	$54,849	11,490
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic	$74,096	5,610
Real Estate Sales Agents	$77,936	190,600
Flight Attendants	$86,103	130,110
Personal Financial Advisors	$173,641	270,480
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers	$64,009	3,300
Epidemiologists	$115,640	11,460
Correspondence Clerks	$59,310	6,260
Dietitians and Nutritionists	$96,955	76,570
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers	$62,247	12,460
Psychiatric Technicians	$66,099	136,300
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$117,612	318,570
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$119,851	20,840
Light Truck Drivers	$52,363	994,410
Insurance Sales Agents	$93,683	469,480
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	$63,040	50,570
Budget Analysts	$110,155	47,170
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	—	—
Medical Equipment Preparers	$66,663	72,760
Secondary School Teachers	$104,813	1,072,540
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	$67,051	148,980
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand	$41,285	7,070
Sales Engineers	$146,137	56,690
Materials Scientists	$133,759	8,330
Crane and Tower Operators	$82,918	42,000
Patternmakers, Wood	—	180
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$162,232	93,940
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	$83,103	34,210
Public Relations Specialists	$95,096	280,590
Statistical Assistants	$77,055	5,900
Dredge Operators	—	1,030
Cooks, Short Order	$42,207	150,420
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$115,167	223,460
Anthropologists and Archeologists	$81,578	8,070
Dancers	—	9,060
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$75,138	382,960
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	$102,607	2,780
Real Estate Brokers	$115,482	49,590
Self-Enrichment Teachers	$61,590	308,520
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	—	—
Veterinarians	$172,853	80,630
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	$131,986	293,930
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	$65,853	139,180
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas	$66,056	11,040
History Teachers, Postsecondary	$134,221	19,860
Compensation and Benefits Managers	$179,559	20,070
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	$74,559	205,230
Orthodontists	$198,410	5,150
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,960	174,430
Middle School Teachers	$95,363	620,370
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	$39,570	261,690
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	$66,827	124,130
Cooks, Restaurant	$45,498	1,452,130
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$89,673	1,310
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	$72,854	1,570
Helpers--Roofers	$52,942	5,170
Physician Assistants	$166,382	155,540
Law Teachers, Postsecondary	$136,409	22,800
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers	$75,101	2,860
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$59,231	29,050
Parking Attendants	$40,225	134,650
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	$88,861	61,180
Computer User Support Specialists	$91,367	146,450
Upholsterers	$50,847	20,990
Prepress Technicians and Workers	$55,064	23,070
Avionics Technicians	$93,567	20,900
Petroleum Engineers	$150,841	18,970
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	—	—
Printing Press Operators	$50,498	145,110
Respiratory Therapists	$109,692	136,420
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$92,847	472,770
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	—	16,230
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$64,216	54,200
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$55,690	22,350
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	$51,912	805,770
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$119,035	123,680
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$60,656	8,760
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$138,546	156,300
Recreation Workers	$43,019	309,640
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	$47,593	857,630
Nurse Practitioners	$177,897	307,390
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	$53,186	34,750
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$126,476	111,140
Computer Hardware Engineers	$188,333	75,710
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles	$58,578	10,140
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	$64,234	29,530
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	$68,341	17,410
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	$40,510	427,150
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$154,005	29,260
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators	$156,295	10,000
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders	$38,638	5,820
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$133,759	17,170
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$59,076	591,180
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	$44,691	12,170
Telephone Operators	$58,646	3,950
Driver/Sales Workers	$49,239	417,420
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	$60,868	1,531,700
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	$47,051	19,500
Industrial Engineers	$130,739	350,230
Library Assistants, Clerical	$51,547	80,070
Writers and Authors	$99,513	47,800
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$129,630	11,430
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School	$65,133	14,200
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$49,144	70,110
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$237,025	645,970
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas	$57,698	45,330
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	$55,362	38,420
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks	$49,228	127,440
Chemical Engineers	—	20,330
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	$68,661	16,480
Electricians	$88,301	742,580
Conservation Scientists	$90,227	25,590
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$55,741	5,310
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	$70,337	22,170
Computer Network Architects	$154,087	177,010
Food Batchmakers	$44,127	171,660
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$96,434	469,270
Millwrights	$86,460	40,660
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary	$133,738	9,120
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	$89,888	36,970
Survey Researchers	$89,313	7,720
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$63,590	424,040
Signal and Track Switch Repairers	$91,225	8,210
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	$74,538	53,520
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	—	7,860
Boilermakers	$111,607	10,170
School Psychologists	$120,827	63,830
Animal Scientists	—	2,470
Traffic Technicians	$77,090	7,580
Paperhangers	$67,364	1,520
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$66,516	688,840
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators	—	5,720
Web Developers	$48,681	200,000
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders	$63,753	10,920
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	$67,564	170,010
Wellhead Pumpers	$69,530	17,350
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$55,592	830,760
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$135,567	81,780
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	$62,714	174,660
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$84,089	30,780
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	$76,352	5,110
Economists	$128,983	15,880
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	$47,822	114,190
Civil Engineers	$125,367	355,410
Carpenters	$79,963	697,740
Dental Laboratory Technicians	$58,727	33,920
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers	$41,412	21,930
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	$40,960	35,420
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	$64,234	156,260
New Accounts Clerks	$57,370	38,030
Fence Erectors	$62,855	22,640
Physical Therapist Assistants	$85,555	108,010
Childcare Workers	$42,433	520,180
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	$45,803	97,540
Rail Car Repairers	$75,667	18,300
Team Assemblers	—	—
Music Directors and Composers	$101,136	12,330
Machine Feeders and Offbearers	$43,380	46,690
Human Resources Managers	$202,537	215,520
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	$53,125	79,540
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects	$123,189	8,440
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$148,561	48,820
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	$66,588	24,250
Airfield Operations Specialists	$71,446	16,640
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	$58,529	131,320
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	$46,784	383,860
Helpers--Electricians	$54,311	64,440
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	$87,939	11,220
Instructional Coordinators	$104,217	210,850
Art Directors	$154,344	50,370
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	$46,148	11,850
Plasterers and Stucco Masons	$66,540	20,880
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	$51,013	64,770
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	$61,088	111,930
Tire Builders	$43,296	20,970
Private Detectives and Investigators	$69,049	38,700
Transportation Inspectors	$87,650	23,320
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$93,946	16,920
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$51,042	57,310
Pourers and Casters, Metal	$45,522	5,830
Machinists	$61,610	298,790
Chief Executives	$294,898	211,850
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$61,960	2,070,480
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	$91,347	114,410
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers	$138,731	6,770
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	$61,189	32,890
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	$55,813	18,740
Stonemasons	$68,053	8,750
Tax Preparers	$71,278	73,570
Special Effects Artists and Animators	$132,383	21,280
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	$102,823	14,050
Tile and Stone Setters	$62,361	38,740
Bartenders	$47,051	745,610
Farm and Home Management Educators	$92,384	10,260
Home Appliance Repairers	$57,130	31,940
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	$48,439	10,000
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$132,711	2,630
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers	$70,575	14,140
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders	$50,591	3,270
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$133,592	9,180
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service	$55,888	35,730
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,518	154,820
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	$60,656	20,330
Pile Driver Operators	$108,828	3,040
Fallers	$81,909	4,110
Occupational Therapy Aides	$44,140	5,000
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$104,988	806,080
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	$87,987	1,266,860
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$46,456	63,350
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	$122,337	22,510
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	$133,172	53,390
Helpers--Production Workers	$46,620	167,490
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	$42,660	67,500
File Clerks	$51,026	78,980
Parking Enforcement Workers	$70,448	7,770
Radiation Therapists	$162,797	18,700
Chefs and Head Cooks	$73,379	182,320
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	$74,250	24,850
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	$46,312	36,470
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,139	31,510
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$53,312	43,640
Mental Health Counselors	—	—
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$136,758	4,100
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	$52,962	38,610
Hoist and Winch Operators	$58,765	2,480
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$47,790	65,700
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$42,537	8,960
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	—	—
Order Clerks	$50,300	83,420
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	$53,833	73,010
Podiatrists	$180,167	9,520
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	$38,504	371,590
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$54,736	36,290
Judicial Law Clerks	$74,357	13,220
Community Health Workers	$64,353	60,730
Helpers--Carpenters	$52,437	24,610
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$141,278	12,680
Model Makers, Wood	—	360
Nurse Midwives	$184,512	8,280
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	$161,914	23,880
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$41,034	373,960
Software Developers	$190,798	1,654,440
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	$68,426	16,570
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	$47,655	62,730
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$53,782	14,590
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$147,698	11,480
Logging Equipment Operators	$65,058	22,520
Graphic Designers	$94,254	214,260
Word Processors and Typists	$52,630	36,030
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$53,330	18,970
Agricultural Equipment Operators	$44,676	30,940
Surgical Technologists	$85,502	113,890
Foresters	$104,464	9,650
Astronomers	$145,510	1,560
Technical Writers	$110,175	55,530
Parts Salespersons	$48,079	265,060
Construction and Building Inspectors	$106,542	137,210
Interpreters and Translators	$78,569	53,360
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$142,469	13,590
Medical Equipment Repairers	$80,647	60,830
Chemists	$108,367	83,250
Desktop Publishers	$74,409	4,000
Medical Transcriptionists	$44,901	43,070
Accountants and Auditors	$106,651	1,448,290
Broadcast Technicians	$88,368	21,080
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	$50,537	25,200
Butchers and Meat Cutters	$47,051	140,040
Computer Programmers	$123,323	109,870
Packers and Packagers, Hand	$40,522	601,440
Ship Engineers	$138,937	8,580
Microbiologists	$119,060	19,760
Dental Assistants	$55,093	375,430
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	$82,260	11,400
Insulation Workers, Mechanical	$118,246	25,640
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers	$54,388	2,610
Baggage Porters and Bellhops	$42,135	31,220
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	$39,818	195,360
Commercial Pilots	$173,037	51,830
Cooks, Private Household	—	900
Financial Examiners	$120,555	62,830
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	$56,746	211,000
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons	—	1,100
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	$329,274	99,300
Public Safety Telecommunicators	$81,733	101,140
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	$57,578	1,113,160
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	$100,129	36,260
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$141,432	53,250
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	$133,872	13,350
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$43,491	20,600
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	$70,265	56,540
Bicycle Repairers	$48,781	12,590
Customer Service Representatives	$54,233	2,725,930
Pharmacy Technicians	$57,799	487,920
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	$51,586	1,187,460
Segmental Pavers	—	—
Marriage and Family Therapists	$76,689	65,870
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	$56,431	15,660
Soil and Plant Scientists	$94,151	16,600
Telemarketers	$41,892	66,430
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers	$56,552	12,600
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$55,577	100,840
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	$43,267	98,270
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$124,925	8,780
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians	$58,290	18,710
Counter and Rental Clerks	$48,620	398,620
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$149,362	20,390
Retail Salespersons	$43,835	3,800,250
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$58,675	13,810
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	$46,056	13,890
Police Identification and Records Officers	—	—
Environmental Engineers	$131,201	37,950
Billing and Posting Clerks	$57,635	417,500
Roofers	$70,081	136,740
Animal Breeders	$63,493	1,730
Interior Designers	$87,978	69,580
Computer Systems Analysts	$136,553	497,800
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	$48,789	24,740
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,570	129,850
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers	$54,203	28,260
Sound Engineering Technicians	$93,648	13,050
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	$40,618	141,090

Open each occupation for full career profile charts and industry breakdowns on EDsmart Data.

Program outcomes (College Scorecard)

National medians across bachelor's programs in the Computer Software and Media Applications CIP family (22 programs reporting debt). Not specific to every Computer Software and Media Applications graduate.

$23,839 median federal loan debt among completers
$58,894 median earnings four years after enrollment (national program median)
0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio (Scorecard proxy)
9.8% of graduates not working and not enrolled one year out (program cohort)

Source: College Scorecard program-level outcomes aggregated by 4-digit CIP family.

Employment

Wages and industry mix below use BLS OEWS data for occupations linked to this major in our mapping—not a graduate earnings survey.

Yearly Income for Common Jobs

$58,191 Median earnings 10 years after entry

College Scorecard reports $58,191 for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates ten years after they entered college; our extract has no OEWS occupation wage for this major.

Average annual salaries of the most common occupations for Computer Software and Media Applications majors.

Occupations by Share

11,401,570 2023 Workforce

The number of Computer Software and Media Applications graduates in the workforce has been growing.

Various jobs filled by those with a major in Computer Software and Media Applications by share of the total number of graduates.

Return on Investment & Value

Debt and earnings fields below come from College Scorecard where present in our degree extract.

Financial value (extract)

$21,500 Median Student Debt

$58,191 Median Annual Earnings (10 years after enrollment)

36.95% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

3.7 years Estimated Payback Period (assuming 10% of income)

730.11% Return on Investment (10-year earnings vs 4-year cost)

Ten-year earnings in this extract exceed four years of median net price.

$70,100 Estimated Total Cost (4 years at median net price)

Financial value comparison for Computer Software and Media Applications degree.

Diversity

Demographic information for those who earn a degree in Computer Software and Media Applications in the United States.

Workforce Age

N/A Average Age in 2023

This chart shows distribution of ages for employees with a degree in Computer Software and Media Applications.

Age distribution for Computer Software and Media Applications degree holders in the workforce.

Gender Distribution

Gender distribution data is not available for this degree program.

Gender distribution of Computer Software and Media Applications degree recipients.

Race and Ethnicity Distribution

Race and ethnicity distribution data is not available for this degree program.

Racial and ethnic distribution of Computer Software and Media Applications degree recipients.

Degrees Awarded

The most common degree types awarded to students graduating in Computer Software and Media Applications are Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree, and Associates Degree.

Distribution of degree types awarded in Computer Software and Media Applications.

Skills

Data on the critical and distinctive skills necessary for those working in the Computer Software and Media Applications field from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Required Skills

Computer Software and Media Applications majors need many skills, but most especially Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Reading Comprehension.

Rating of how necessary various skills are for Computer Software and Media Applications majors.

Skills Bar Chart

This bar chart shows the same information as the radar chart, displaying the importance of each skill.

Skill importance ratings for Computer Software and Media Applications majors.

About

Computer Software and Media Applications

In 2023, 4,270 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Software and Media Applications.

CIP Code

11.0800 - Computer Software and Media Applications

What the data shows

At the program-family level, College Scorecard reports median debt of $23,839 for bachelor's completers and median earnings near $58,894, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. Those figures describe national program cohorts in this CIP family—not every individual Computer Software and Media Applications graduate.

About 9.8% of graduates in this field family were not working and not enrolled one year after completion in Scorecard's national program medians. That is a program-level mobility signal, not a national underemployment rate.

Mapped BLS occupations show employment-weighted mean pay of about N/A. The largest mapped role by headcount is Security Guards (1,241,770 U.S. jobs in OEWS).

Published tuition medians in College Scorecard land at $9,748 in-state at public colleges and $31,734 at private institutions for programs in this field.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, IPEDS completion data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Employment and wage data are from the most recent Census Bureau ACS PUMS estimates.