by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 243 U.S. colleges awarded 6,403 degrees and certificates in Computer Support Specialist. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 108 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Support Specialist Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $67,520 one year after completing, rising to $81,650 after four years.
Studying Computer Support Specialist involves the study of Computer Support Specialist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Technical Assistance, Support, And Advice To Computer Users To Help Troubleshoot Software And Hardware Problems. Includes Instruction In Computer Concepts, Information Systems, Networking, Operating Systems, Computer Hardware, The Internet, Software Applications, Help Desk Concepts And Problem Solving, And Principles Of Customer Service. Examples: [Technical Support Specialist], [Help Desk Specialist], [It Support Specialist].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., computer support specialist is a widely-pursued major, with 6,403 degrees awarded annually. 243 colleges award computer support specialist degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,049.
By level, the 6,403 awards include 1,139 certificates, 1,917 associate degrees, 154 bachelor’s degrees and 2,453 master’s degrees.
Women earned 24% of computer support specialist degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,538 of 6,403). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,601) and Black or African American (1,297), and international students earned 58.
College Factual ranks 108 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Support Specialist Schools ranking, including 57 for associate degrees and 12 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks computer support specialist schools within 15 states. In all, 243 colleges offer computer support specialist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Support Specialist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer support specialist credential is the master’s degree: 2,453 of the 6,403 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer support specialist call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service and Telecommunications, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a computer support specialist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,139 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,917 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 154 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,453 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer support specialist, at 47.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 47.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 26.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.8% |
| Some college courses | 4.9% |
| First professional degree | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Master’s degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Computer Support Specialist, with an average median salary of $89,664; the strongest outlook belongs to Computer User Support Specialists, at 11.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Computer Systems Specialist, Technical Support Technician (Technical Support Tech), Technical Support Specialist and IT Tech (Information Technology Technician).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to computer support specialist, at 428,265.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialists | 428,265 | 11.0% |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 128,152 | -3.8% |
Computer Support Specialist graduates earn a median $67,520 one year after completing their program, $81,650 after four years and $72,148 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,520 |
| 4 years | $81,650 |
| 5 years | $72,148 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to computer support specialist is Computer Network Support Specialists, with a median salary of $107,799.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Network Support Specialists | $107,799 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $71,530 |
Computer Support Specialist has 6 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 66,480 degrees a year; the largest are Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance (48,278), Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other (6,558) and Network and System Administration/Administrator (5,465). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
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