by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, computer software technology/technician was the 858th most popular major nationwide with 250 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 56 over the prior year, a growth of 22.4%.
This year's Best Computer Software Technology Schools ranking compares 3 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer software tech programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Computer Science - Software Engineering
With a software engineering degree, you'll learn the fundamental concepts and principles – a systematic approach used to develop software on time, on budget and within specifications – throughout your online college classes at SNHU.
When studying Computer Software Tech, you’ll learn that writing computer programs for various purposes will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
computer software technology/technician degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic computer software technology/technician program qualifications, to serve in some computer software tech careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different computer software tech degree levels. Computer Software Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest computer software tech degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common computer software tech degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to computer software tech, with approximately 81.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to computer software tech tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 80.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 0.9% |
| Some College Courses | 0.7% |
93.0% of computer software tech workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in computer software technology/technician careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the computer software tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your computer software tech degree? Computer Software Technology careers are expected to grow 18.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer software technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developers | 1,086,600 | 30.7% |
| Systems Software Developers | 472,100 | 11.1% |
| Computer Programmers | 273,600 | -7.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for computer software tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for computer software technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers computer software tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Systems Software Developers | $114,000 |
| Software Applications Developers | $108,080 |
| Computer Programmers | $89,580 |
With over 37 different computer software tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased computer software tech school rankings to help you with this.
Computer Software Technology is one of 4 different types of Computer Engineering Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology | 1,818 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | 1,363 |
| Other Computer Engineering Technologies | 133 |
| Computer Hardware Technology | 31 |
