by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Computer Software Technology explores Computer Software Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To Support Engineers In Developing, Implementing, And Evaluating Computer Software And Program Applications. Includes Instruction In Computer Programming, Programming Languages, Databases, User Interfaces, Networking And Warehousing, Encryption And Security, Software Testing And Evaluation, And Customization. Continue reading for the essential details every computer software technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer software technology programs.
In the U.S., computer software technology is a widely-pursued major, with 278 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Software Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 19 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer software technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer software technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Computer Software Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer software technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a computer software technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a computer software technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer software technology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 44 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 135 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 92 |
People currently working in careers related to computer software technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 52.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 18.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.8% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Master’s degree | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer software technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in computer software technology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computer software technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer software technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computer software technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,769 |
| 4 years | $47,945 |
| 5 years | $55,101 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer software technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer software technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 19 different computer software technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer software technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in computer software technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician | 1,272 |
| Computer Engineering Technology/Technician | 1,215 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | 492 |
| Computer Hardware Technology/Technician | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
