by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 27 U.S. colleges awarded 480 degrees and certificates in Computer Software Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Software Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $39,351 one year after completing, rising to $57,114 after four years.
A degree in Computer Software Technology explores Computer Software Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To Support Engineers In Developing, Implementing, And Evaluating Computer Software And Program Applications. Includes Instruction In Computer Programming, Programming Languages, Databases, User Interfaces, Networking And Warehousing, Encryption And Security, Software Testing And Evaluation, And Customization.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., computer software technology is a widely-pursued major, with 480 degrees awarded annually. 27 colleges award computer software technology degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 234.
By level, the 480 awards include 11 certificates, 75 associate degrees, 303 bachelor’s degrees and 91 master’s degrees.
Women earned 29% of computer software technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (138 of 480). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (271) and Hispanic or Latino (48), and international students earned 23.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Software Technology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks computer software technology schools within 3 states. In all, 27 colleges offer computer software technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Software Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer software technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 303 of the 480 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer software technology call most for Critical Thinking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a computer software technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 75 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 303 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 91 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer software technology, at 52.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 18.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.8% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Computer Software Technology, with an average median salary of $92,106; 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 Graphic Engineer.
The occupation related to computer software technology with the most projected jobs is Computer Programmers, at 666,800.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
Computer Software Technology graduates earn a median $39,351 one year after completing their program, $57,114 after four years and $62,129 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,351 |
| 4 years | $57,114 |
| 5 years | $62,129 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to computer software technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
Computer Software Technology has 4 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 2,916 degrees a year; the largest are Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician (1,213), Computer Engineering Technology/Technician (959) and Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (719). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician | 1,213 |
| Computer Engineering Technology/Technician | 959 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | 719 |
| Computer Hardware Technology/Technician | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
