Computer Programming Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Computer Programming major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Computers, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Computers, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$72,883

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$109,333

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$139,411

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 2.5%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$2,636,146

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Computer Network Support Specialists
SOC: 15-1231
Occupation: Computer Network Support Specialists
$73,340
146,450
N/A
N/A
Computer Programmers
SOC: 15-1251
Occupation: Computer Programmers
$98,670
109,870
N/A
N/A
Software Developers
SOC: 15-1252
Occupation: Software Developers
$133,080
1,654,440
N/A
N/A
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
SOC: 15-1253
Occupation: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$102,610
199,800
N/A
N/A
Web Developers
SOC: 15-1254
Occupation: Web Developers
$90,930
78,860
N/A
N/A
Web and Digital Interface Designers
SOC: 15-1255
Occupation: Web and Digital Interface Designers
$98,090
111,400
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Computer Network Support Specialists

12.1%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$73,340146,450
2023$71,530158,720
2022$68,050168,920
2021$62,760176,200
2020$65,450184,220

Computer Programmers

10.6%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$98,670109,870
2023$99,700120,370
2022$97,800132,740
2021$93,000152,610
2020$89,190178,140

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

13.0%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$96,69036,240
2023$96,43036,150
2022$84,76033,870
2021$77,91037,600
2020$85,54032,230

Colleges offering Computer Programming

Holy Family University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$14k

Earnings

$70k

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$11k

Earnings

$68k

Carnegie Mellon University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$33k

Earnings

$106k

University of Maryland-College Park

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$16k

Earnings

$69k

Capitol Technology University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$24k

Earnings

$102k