Computer Programming
Quick Facts: Computer Programming Training
Where it's offered
Computer Programming programs are offered at 35 schools across 14 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $41,895/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Computer Programming, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 35 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 46/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Computer Programming Graduates Do
Your career in computer programming is about building the digital world one line of code at a time. You’ll likely start as a software developer on a team, using tools like Git for code management and Jira for tasks. Your day will involve writing and debugging code in languages like Python or JavaScript to create new features for an application. Or, you might begin as a quality assurance analyst, methodically hunting for bugs, writing scripts to automate testing, and ensuring the final product is flawless.
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With experience, you’ll advance from implementing features to designing them. You can become a senior developer tackling complex systems, a solutions architect mapping out entire software projects, or a team lead mentoring others. Demand is exceptionally strong, especially for software development roles. While entry-level pay is solid, experienced specialists and architects command significantly higher salaries.
It's true that AI is changing this field, automating many routine coding and testing tasks. This shift makes AI a powerful assistant, not a replacement. The core work of understanding user needs, designing elegant solutions, and collaborating to solve novel problems remains a fundamentally human skill. Successful programmers are learning to leverage these tools to build better software faster, focusing their energy on complex problem-solving and system design.
Students considering Computer Programming also weigh Computer Science, Information Science, and Information Sciences — see each trade's earnings and school count side by side.
Find Computer Programming Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Computer Programming is offered at 35 schools across 14 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Computer Programming Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Computer Programming programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 35 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Computer Programming Programs
Schools where Computer Programming graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills Community College | $63,559/yr | 71 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | $60,496/yr | 74 |
| University of Phoenix-California | $60,496/yr | 61 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | $55,996/yr | 70 |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College | $55,069/yr | 69 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | $54,652/yr | 70 |
| Southeast Technical College | $53,874/yr | 61 |
| Dallas College | $53,830/yr | 74 |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | $46,804/yr | 71 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $44,673/yr | 66 |
Best ROI for Computer Programming
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Programming.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College | 271.0x | $43,727/yr | 74 |
| Amarillo College | 173.4x | $37,250/yr | 70 |
| Valencia College | 135.4x | $36,601/yr | 67 |
| Amarillo College | 135.2x | $32,074/yr | 64 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | 115.3x | $35,284/yr | 63 |
| Dallas College | 112.6x | $53,830/yr | 74 |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | 100.5x | $46,804/yr | 71 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | 93.5x | $60,496/yr | 74 |
| Hillsborough Community College | 84.2x | $42,710/yr | 68 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | 78.6x | $33,937/yr | 61 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Computer Programming degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.