Computer Programming: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Computer Programming graduates earn a median $83,439 four years after finishing — $35,079/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 1.9 years. Federal data pools 86 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 2,296 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England Institute of Technology | RI | $114,963 |
| 2 | Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | $113,559 |
| 3 | Elon University | NC | $111,448 |
| 4 | North Seattle College | WA | $106,639 |
| 5 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | MI | $106,484 |
| 6 | DePaul University | IL | $101,315 |
| 7 | Green River College | WA | $92,375 |
| 8 | Bellevue University | NE | $90,435 |
| 9 | University of Akron Main Campus | OH | $86,965 |
| 10 | Full Sail University | FL | $83,694 |
| 11 | Herzing University-Madison | WI | $78,404 |
| 12 | University of Phoenix-Arizona | AZ | $76,918 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.