by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 57 degrees and certificates in Computer Programming, Specific Platforms. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Programming, Specific Platforms 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.
Studying Computer Programming, Specific Platforms involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Design, Develop, And Implement Software-Based Solutions For Specific Business And Consumer Platforms Including Industrial, Game, Mobile, Tactile, And Web Platforms. Includes Instruction In Computer Programming, Computer Hardware, Data Structures, Database Theory, Maintenance, Operating Systems, Project Management, Software Development, And Systems Analysis.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, computer programming, specific platforms is a popular field of study, with 57 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award computer programming, specific platforms degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 15.
By level, the 57 awards include 4 certificates, 11 associate degrees, 10 bachelor’s degrees and 32 master’s degrees.
Women earned 39% of computer programming, specific platforms degrees and certificates in the latest year (22 of 57). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (33) and Black or African American (11), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Programming, Specific Platforms Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. It also ranks computer programming, specific platforms schools within 1 state. In all, 8 colleges offer computer programming, specific platforms programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Programming, Specific Platforms Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer programming, specific platforms credential is the master’s degree: 32 of the 57 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer programming, specific platforms 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 Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a computer programming, specific platforms degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 11 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 32 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer programming, specific platforms, 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 Computer Programming, Specific Platforms, 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, Malware Analyst, Bug Bounty Hunter and Application Programmer.
The occupation related to computer programming, specific platforms 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% |
Computer Programming, Specific Platforms 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 computer programming, specific platforms, 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 |
Computer Programming, Specific Platforms has 5 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 16,598 degrees a year; the largest are Computer Programming/Programmer, General (12,600), Computer Programming, Specific Applications (2,750) and Computer Game Programming (550). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Programming/Programmer, General | 12,600 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Applications | 2,750 |
| Computer Game Programming | 550 |
| Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification | 451 |
| Computer Programming, Other | 247 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
