by our College Data Analytics TeamHuman-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.
A major in Human Computer Interaction involves the study of Human Computer Interaction. Read on to learn the key facts every human computer interaction major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering human computer interaction programs.
In the U.S., human computer interaction draws strong interest, with 2,298 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Human Computer Interaction Schools ranking analyzes these 51 schools to determine the best overall colleges for human computer interaction students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of human computer interaction programs later in this article.
Programs in Human Computer Interaction emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations human computer interaction graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills emphasized by a human computer interaction program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a human computer interaction major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several human computer interaction 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 | 34 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 792 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,433 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 24 |
People currently working in careers related to human computer interaction tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.2% |
| Master’s degree | 18.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in human computer interaction careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying human computer interaction opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to human computer interaction.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human computer interaction.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of human computer interaction graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,105 |
| 4 years | $88,642 |
| 5 years | $106,349 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for human computer interaction graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers human computer interaction grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
With 51 different human computer interaction programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased human computer interaction school rankings to help you.
Students interested in human computer interaction, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Computer Interaction | 2,298 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
