by our College Data Analytics TeamHave you ever had a great idea for a computer program or smartphone app but didn't know how to create it? Major in Computer Software and Applications and you can make your ideas a reality.
Computer Software and Applications majors work to create, test, and develop new computer programs to meet customers' demands. They also work to maintain older software and ensure it runs properly. Through classes like computer engineering, computer science, game and interactive media design, software engineering, mathematics, and statistics, students will gain the skills to create unique and useful software.
While students have the option to major in general Computer Software and Applications, they can also specialize in areas, such as Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, Data Modeling and Warehousing and Database Administration, Computer Graphics, and Virtual Environments and Simulation Modeling.
A degree in Computer Software & Applications involves the study of Computer Software And Media Applications. Continue reading for the key facts every computer software & applications student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer software & applications programs.
Nationwide, computer software & applications is a popular field of study, with 15,581 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Software & Applications Schools ranking analyzes these 551 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer software & applications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer software & applications programs later in this article.
Programs in Computer Software & Applications build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer software & applications graduates commonly enter.
A strong background in computer programming is necessary for a career in Computer Software and Applications. Professionals must be familiar with codes and up to date on tools and computer languages. Analytical and problem-solving skills along with creativity are necessary when developing new software. Successful professionals also pay close attention to detail and have strong communication and customer service skills.
A career in Computer Software and Applications is a full time job. Professionals often work over 40 hours a week during the testing and development phases of projects. Most professionals work in an office setting.
Internships and summer jobs in this field are suggested because they will give students exposure to computer programming and give them hands-on experience working with software and applications.
The skill set built by a computer software & applications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computer software & applications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer software & applications 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 | 1,145 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,255 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,402 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,659 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to computer software & applications tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 56.1% |
| Master’s degree | 15.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer software & applications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Computer Software and Applications graduates are typically hired by software development companies or software publishers. Other graduates have gone on to work for computer and other electronic product companies. There is a high demand for computer software along with the increase in smartphone applications use.
Studying computer software & applications opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to computer software & applications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer software & applications.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Web Developers | 564,182 | 4.6% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Clinical Data Managers | 300,656 | -0.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of computer software & applications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,963 |
| 4 years | $41,500 |
| 5 years | $47,394 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer software & applications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer software & applications grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Web Developers | $125,527 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Data Scientists | $106,295 |
| Clinical Data Managers | $99,475 |
With 551 different computer software & applications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer software & applications school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in computer software & applications, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | 5,236 |
| Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration | 4,139 |
| Computer Graphics | 3,312 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 1,866 |
| Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation | 1,028 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 118,381 |
| Computer Science | 79,857 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 57,935 |
| Information Science/Studies | 22,425 |
| Computer Programming | 15,336 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 15,034 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 3,034 |
| Data Processing | 2,131 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 2,066 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications | 436 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
