by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Human-Centered Technology Design covers A Program That Focuses On Incorporating A Human Perspective Into Designing, Researching, And Creating Technological Interfaces. Includes Instruction In Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Learning, Neuroscience, Perception, Product Design, User-Centered Design, And Usability. Continue reading for the essential details every human-centered technology design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering human-centered technology design programs.
In the U.S., human-centered technology design draws strong interest, with 778 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Human-Centered Technology Design Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for human-centered technology design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of human-centered technology design programs later in this article.
Studies in Human-Centered Technology Design emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations human-centered technology design graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a human-centered technology design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a human-centered technology design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several human-centered technology design degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 416 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 349 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to human-centered technology design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 55% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15% |
| Some college courses | 10% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 10% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in human-centered technology design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in human-centered technology design prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to human-centered technology design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human-centered technology design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of human-centered technology design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $69,148 |
| 4 years | $77,570 |
| 5 years | $88,131 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for human-centered technology design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers human-centered technology design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
| Video Game Designers | $62,617 |
With 26 different human-centered technology design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased human-centered technology design school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in human-centered technology design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 67,926 |
| Information Technology | 42,322 |
| Informatics | 3,067 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 2,635 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 1,653 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
