by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in App Specific Computer Programming covers Computer Programming, Specific Applications. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply The Knowledge And Skills Of General Computer Programming To The Solution Of Specific Operational Problems And Customization Requirements Presented By Individual Software Users And Organizational Users. Includes Training In Specific Types Of Software And Its Installation And Maintenance. Read on to learn the important information every app specific computer programming major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering app specific computer programming programs.
Nationwide, app specific computer programming is a widely-pursued major, with 2,813 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best App Specific Computer Programming Schools ranking analyzes these 133 schools to determine the best overall colleges for app specific computer programming students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of app specific computer programming programs later in this article.
Programs in App Specific Computer Programming emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations app specific computer programming graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a app specific computer programming program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a app specific computer programming major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several app specific computer programming 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 576 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 669 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 194 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,255 |
People currently working in careers related to app specific computer programming tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 77.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Master’s degree | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in app specific computer programming careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in app specific computer programming can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to app specific computer programming.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to app specific computer programming.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of app specific computer programming graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,537 |
| 4 years | $60,237 |
| 5 years | $68,349 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for app specific computer programming graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers app specific computer programming grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
With 133 different app specific computer programming programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased app specific computer programming school rankings to help you.
Those considering app specific computer programming, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Programming/Programmer, General | 11,341 |
| Computer Game Programming | 492 |
| Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification | 420 |
| Computer Programming, Other | 229 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Platforms | 41 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
