Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications graduates earn a median $73,587 four years after finishing — $25,227/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 2.7 years. Federal data pools 64 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 1,004 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ranks #61 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 70% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wentworth Institute of Technology | MA | $111,413 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | MN | $100,554 |
| 3 | Weber State University | UT | $97,957 |
| 4 | Utah Valley University | UT | $97,341 |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | $97,118 |
| 6 | DePaul University | IL | $91,007 |
| 7 | Illinois State University | IL | $90,953 |
| 8 | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | RI | $85,387 |
| 9 | Park University | MO | $83,579 |
| 10 | Stevenson University | MD | $81,700 |
| 11 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | MN | $79,939 |
| 12 | University of Phoenix-Arizona | AZ | $78,464 |
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.