by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 131 U.S. colleges awarded 2,750 degrees and certificates in App Specific Computer Programming. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 41% of graduates. College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best App Specific Computer Programming Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,537 one year after completing, rising to $71,581 after four years.
A degree in App Specific Computer Programming covers Computer Programming, Specific Applications. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply The Knowledge And Skills Of General Computer Programming To The Solution Of Specific Operational Problems And Customization Requirements Presented By Individual Software Users And Organizational Users. Includes Training In Specific Types Of Software And Its Installation And Maintenance.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, app specific computer programming is a widely-pursued major, with 2,750 degrees awarded annually. 131 colleges award app specific computer programming degrees, an average of 21 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 243.
By level, the 2,750 awards include 545 certificates, 759 associate degrees, 225 bachelor’s degrees and 1,116 master’s degrees.
Women earned 25% of app specific computer programming degrees and certificates in the latest year (697 of 2,750). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,379) and Black or African American (420), and international students earned 106.
College Factual ranks 58 schools in its 2027 Best App Specific Computer Programming Schools ranking, including 36 for associate degrees, 8 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks app specific computer programming schools within 13 states. In all, 131 colleges offer app specific computer programming programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value App Specific Computer Programming Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common app specific computer programming credential is the master’s degree: 1,116 of the 2,750 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to app specific computer programming call most for Programming, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an app specific computer programming degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 545 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 759 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 225 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,116 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to app specific computer programming, at 77.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 77.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Master’s degree | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to App Specific Computer Programming, with an average median salary of $88,800; the strongest outlook belongs to Software Developers, at 13.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Beta Tester, Bug Bounty Hunter, Malware Analyst and Application Programmer.
The occupation related to app specific computer programming with the most projected jobs is Computer Programmers, at 666,800.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
App Specific Computer Programming graduates earn a median $55,537 one year after completing their program, $71,581 after four years and $71,682 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,537 |
| 4 years | $71,581 |
| 5 years | $71,682 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to app specific computer programming, with a median salary of $109,892.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
App Specific Computer Programming has 5 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 13,905 degrees a year; the largest are Computer Programming/Programmer, General (12,600), Computer Game Programming (550) and Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification (451). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Programming/Programmer, General | 12,600 |
| Computer Game Programming | 550 |
| Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification | 451 |
| Computer Programming, Other | 247 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Platforms | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
