Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the study of how humans interact with computers. This is a multidisciplinary field encompassing aspects of computer engineering, design, and psychology. Students majoring in HCI can find work as an HCI researcher or scientist. While UI designers are typically more industry-focused, HCI researchers are more academic in nature.
When you speak about HCI, the first thing you may think about is the physical interaction we have with devices like the keyboard and mouse. However, HCI is focused more on the research and psychology of how humans interact with technology. HCI researchers may design studies, implement a prototype and report on their findings to determine why a specific interaction works (or not). While HCI has traditionally focused on computer interfaces and interaction, with the advent of mobile and wearable technology a whole new set of HCI challenges and questions pop up.
The resurgence in virtual reality and augmented reality likewise require a new set of standards and research to determine the best way for humans to interact with these new systems.
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Human Computer Interaction Degrees in the United States
#202Most Popular Major
2kDegrees Awarded
239Schools Offering Degrees
Human Computer Interaction was the 202nd most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,991 degrees in this year alone.
This year's Best Human Computer Interaction Schools ranking compares 18 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of human computer interaction programs later in this article.
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What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Human Computer Interaction
Most people who want to start a career in HCI need to first complete a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer engineering or computer science before moving on to get a master's degree in HCI. Some schools offer an undergraduate degree in HCI.
Besides the educational requirements, successful HCI researchers will be very detail oriented and have excellent analytical skills. Much of the work an HCI researcher performs will be to create experiments and carry them out. HCI researchers will also often present their findings in academic journals or in conferences making communication skills critical to the job.
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Getting Accepted Into a Human Computer Interaction Program
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic human computer interaction program qualifications, to serve in some human computer interaction careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Types of Human Computer Interaction Degrees
There are many different human computer interaction degree levels. Human Computer Interaction programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest human computer interaction degree you can get. Different human computer interaction degrees vary in how long they take.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to human computer interaction, with approximately 50.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to human computer interaction tend obtained the following education levels.
Level of Education
Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree
50.2%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)
19.4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
8.1%
Some College Courses
8.1%
Post-Secondary Certificate
4.9%
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About 62.9% of workers in careers related to human computer interaction obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in human computer interaction have received.
The education level required is different depending on the human computer interaction career you are seeking.
Human Computer Interaction Careers
AverageNumber of Jobs
$45.5kAverage Starting Salary
9% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
Solid Growth Projected for Human Computer Interaction Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your human computer interaction degree? Human Computer Interaction careers are expected to grow 9.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human computer interaction.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Computer Workers
313,800
9.3%
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Human Computer Interaction Degree Salary Potential
Recently graduated human computer interaction students earned an average of $45,495 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $26,924 to as high as $127,513. As you might expect, salaries for human computer interaction graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
High Paying Careers for Human Computer Interaction Majors
Salaries for human computer interaction graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers human computer interaction grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Computer Workers
$93,350
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Getting Your Human Computer Interaction Degree
With over 81 different human computer interaction degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased human computer interaction school rankings to help you with this.
by our College Data Analytics Team
