by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying General Computer Programming covers Computer Programming/programmer, General. A Program That Focuses On The General Writing And Implementation Of Generic And Customized Programs To Drive Operating Systems And That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply The Methods And Procedures Of Software Design And Programming To Software Installation And Maintenance. Includes Instruction In Software Design, Low- And High-Level Languages And Program Writing; Program Customization And Linking; Prototype Testing; Troubleshooting; And Related Aspects Of Operating Systems And Networks. Read on to learn the key facts every general computer programming student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general computer programming programs.
In the U.S., general computer programming is a popular field of study, with 11,341 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Computer Programming Schools ranking analyzes these 390 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general computer programming students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general computer programming programs later in this article.
Programs in General Computer Programming develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general computer programming graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a general computer programming program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general computer programming major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 | 887 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,453 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,766 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5,213 |
People currently working in careers related to general computer programming tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.2% |
| Master’s degree | 20.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general computer programming careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general computer programming prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general computer programming.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general computer programming.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Web Developers | 564,182 | 4.6% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 128,152 | -3.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general computer programming graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 general computer programming graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general computer programming grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Web Developers | $125,527 |
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | $107,799 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
| Video Game Designers | $62,617 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $35,659 |
With 390 different general computer programming programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general computer programming school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general 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, Specific Applications | 2,813 |
| 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.
