by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Computer Programming was the 137th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,750 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 841 over the prior year, a growth of 9.6%.
Our 2023 Best General Computer Programming Schools ranking analyzes 99 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for general computer programming students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer programming programs later in this article.
When studying Computer Programming, you’ll learn that using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
general computer programming degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic general computer programming program qualifications, to serve in some computer programming careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of computer programming degrees. You can get anything from a in general computer programming to the highest computer programming degree, a . Depending on the general computer programming degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to computer programming, with approximately 58.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to computer programming tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 58.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.9% |
About 79.9% of workers in careers related to computer programming obtain at least bachelor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in general computer programming careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the computer programming career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your computer programming degree? General Computer Programming careers are expected to grow 16.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general computer programming.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developers | 1,086,600 | 30.7% |
| Systems Software Developers | 472,100 | 11.1% |
| Computer Programmers | 273,600 | -7.2% |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 215,200 | 8.2% |
| Web Developers | 187,200 | 14.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for computer programming graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general computer programming graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers computer programming grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Systems Software Developers | $114,000 |
| Software Applications Developers | $108,080 |
| Computer Science Professors | $96,200 |
| Computer Programmers | $89,580 |
| Web Developers | $75,580 |
With over 772 different computer programming degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased computer programming school rankings to help you with this.
General Computer Programming is one of 5 different types of Computer Programming programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| App Specific Computer Programming | 2,411 |
| Computer Programming Certifications | 278 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Platforms | 173 |
| Computer Game Programming | 169 |
| Other Computer Programming | 158 |
