by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Computer Programming Certifications covers Computer Programming, Vendor/product Certification. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Fulfill The Requirements Set By Vendors For Professional Qualification As Certified Installation, Customization, And Maintenance Engineers For Specific Software Products And/or Processes. Includes Training In Specific Vendor-Supported Software Products And Their Installation And Maintenance. Continue reading for the key facts every computer programming certifications major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer programming certifications programs.
Nationwide, computer programming certifications draws strong interest, with 420 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Programming Certifications Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer programming certifications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer programming certifications programs later in this article.
Coursework for Computer Programming Certifications emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer programming certifications graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a computer programming certifications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a computer programming certifications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer programming certifications 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 | 74 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 341 |
People currently working in careers related to computer programming certifications 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 computer programming certifications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in computer programming certifications prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to computer programming certifications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer programming certifications.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of computer programming certifications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 computer programming certifications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer programming certifications 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 22 different computer programming certifications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer programming certifications school rankings to help you.
Those considering computer programming certifications, 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 Programming, Specific Applications | 2,813 |
| Computer Game Programming | 492 |
| Computer Programming, Other | 229 |
| Computer Programming, Specific Platforms | 41 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
