by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 52 U.S. colleges awarded 2,423 degrees and certificates in Human Computer Interaction. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Human Computer Interaction Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $49,105 one year after completing, rising to $73,089 after four years.
Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the study of how humans interact with computers. This is a multidisciplinary field encompassing aspects of computer engineering, design, and psychology. Students majoring in HCI can find work as an HCI researcher or scientist. While UI designers are typically more industry-focused, HCI researchers are more academic in nature.
When you speak about HCI, the first thing you may think about is the physical interaction we have with devices like the keyboard and mouse. However, HCI is focused more on the research and psychology of how humans interact with technology. HCI researchers may design studies, implement a prototype and report on their findings to determine why a specific interaction works (or not). While HCI has traditionally focused on computer interfaces and interaction, with the advent of mobile and wearable technology a whole new set of HCI challenges and questions pop up.
The resurgence in virtual reality and augmented reality likewise require a new set of standards and research to determine the best way for humans to interact with these new systems.
A major in Human Computer Interaction involves the study of Human Computer Interaction.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., human computer interaction draws strong interest, with 2,423 degrees awarded annually. 52 colleges award human computer interaction degrees, an average of 47 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 673.
By level, the 2,423 awards include 23 associate degrees, 995 bachelor’s degrees, 1,377 master’s degrees and 22 doctorates.
Women earned 48% of human computer interaction degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,169 of 2,423). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (731) and Asian (298), and international students earned 733.
College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Human Computer Interaction Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 13 for bachelor’s degrees and 24 for master’s degrees. It also ranks human computer interaction schools within 13 states. In all, 52 colleges offer human computer interaction programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Human Computer Interaction Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common human computer interaction credential is the master’s degree: 1,377 of the 2,423 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to human computer interaction call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Most people who want to start a career in HCI need to first complete a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer engineering or computer science before moving on to get a master's degree in HCI. Some schools offer an undergraduate degree in HCI.
Besides the educational requirements, successful HCI researchers will be very detail oriented and have excellent analytical skills. Much of the work an HCI researcher performs will be to create experiments and carry them out. HCI researchers will also often present their findings in academic journals or in conferences making communication skills critical to the job.
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How long a human computer interaction degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 23 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 995 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,377 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to human computer interaction, at 33.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.2% |
| Master’s degree | 18.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
15 occupations are related to Human Computer Interaction, with an average median salary of $108,007; the strongest outlook belongs to Web and Digital Interface Designers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Systems Engineer, C++ Professor, Computer Science Adjunct Professor and Information Technology Professor (IT Professor).
The occupation related to human computer interaction with the most projected jobs is Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,328,652.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
Human Computer Interaction graduates earn a median $49,105 one year after completing their program, $73,089 after four years and $110,541 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,105 |
| 4 years | $73,089 |
| 5 years | $110,541 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to human computer interaction is Computer and Information Systems Managers, with a median salary of $175,079.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
Human Computer Interaction includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Human Computer Interaction (2,423). It has 48 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 147,999 degrees a year; the largest are Biological and Physical Sciences (29,811), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (29,665) and Data Analytics (17,572). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Computer Interaction | 2,423 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 29,811 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 29,665 |
| Data Analytics | 17,572 |
| Data Science | 11,772 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 11,175 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 6,906 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,644 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,569 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,567 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,911 |
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