
Computer Career Overview
The Computer profession encompasses an ever-growing number of specializations and career opportunities. The widespread proliferation of the information technology industry has spawned a huge variety of occupations spanning the areas of product development, design, support, testing, research, and more. Individuals with computer-related careers might find themselves in a variety of environments including academia, industry, government, manufacturing, business, and health care organizations. While there are many specialties and sub-specialties in the field, computer-related careers can be divided into a few major groupings:
Computer Career Education
Educational requirements vary widely in this field and depend on exactly what type of computer profession an individual wishes to pursue. Those wishing to become computer engineers will need a bachelor's degree in a related area. Software engineers should get their degree in computer science, software engineering, or applied mathematics. Ideally, hardware engineers should obtain an engineering degree, although a science or math degree may suffice for some jobs. Some of the more complex jobs in either area may require a graduate degree. While a degree is not mandatory for a support specialist job, it would make things easier when seeking employment. Many support specialists earn associate degrees, although some prepare for jobs by passing a certification test using knowledge derived from their experience working with computers.
Systems analyst jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in computer science, information science, or management information systems. Some analysts get their degree in other subjects and take computer classes to acquire computer experience. A very helpful asset for a systems analyst is a master's degree in business, which will help provide an understanding of the types of computers that businesses need. Website managers should plan on going to college for at least two years to earn an associate degree, although some jobs in this area require a four-year bachelor's degree, especially if the job is complicated, high paying, or includes supervising others. Website managers can enhance their marketability by supplementing their degree program with art and design courses.
Education requirements for database administrator jobs vary by employer. Some jobs require only a two-year associate degree in computer science or a related information technology field. Others require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems (MIS). And for some jobs, employers seek workers with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) and a concentration in information systems.
Schools for Computer are listed in the column to the left.
This table shows summary data on occupations in the US. Clicking on any occupation name brings you to a page showing job prospects and salaries for that occupation in hundreds of metro areas across the country, with data updated through 2008.(Where data is denoted by an asterisk (*), summary info was not available.
The green bars in the table below indicate the relative salary levels and growth rates of each occupation, compared to the others. The levels are determined by sorting the occupations (by salary or growth rate, separately) and then dividing them into ten groups corresponding to the the ten possible green bar levels. So a single bar means the occupation is in the bottom 10% for that characteristic compared to others on this page.
Click each Occupation title for more details.
| Occupation | Jobs | Median Pay | % Growth 2006-2016 | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Scientists | 26,610 | $97,970 | 21.5% | ![]() |
| Computer Operators | 107,450 | $35,600 | -24.6% | ![]() |
| Computer Programmers | 394,230 | $69,620 | -4% | ![]() |
| Computer Support Specialists | 545,520 | $43,450 | 12.9% | |
| Computer Systems Managers | 276,820 | $112,210 | 16.4% | ![]() |
| Database Administrators | 115,770 | $69,740 | 28.6% | ![]() |
| Network and Communications Analysts | 230,410 | $71,100 | 53.4% | ![]() |
| Network and Systems Administrators | 327,850 | $66,310 | 27% | ![]() |
| Operations Research Analysts | 60,860 | $69,000 | 10.6% | ![]() |
| Software Engineers For Applications | 494,160 | $85,430 | 44.6% | ![]() |
| Software Engineers For Systems | 381,830 | $92,430 | 28.2% | |
| Systems Analysts | 489,890 | $75,500 | 29% |
These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).
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| School | Locations | Degrees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIU Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| ATI Career Training Center | FL | Diploma | |
| Albertus Magnus College | CT | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| American Career Institute | MA, MD | Certificate | |
| American InterContinental University | FL, GA, TX | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Anthem Career College | TN | Associate | |
| Anthem College | AZ, FL | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma | |
| Anthem Institute | NJ, NY, PA | Diploma | |
| Antonelli College | MS, OH | Associate | |
| Argosy University | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, MN, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA | Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| Argosy University Online | Online | Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| Ashworth College | Online | Diploma | |
| Averett University | VA | Bachelor, Master | |
| Baker College Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Graduate Certificate, Master | |
| Bauder College | GA | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate | |
| Berkeley College | NJ, NY | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Berkeley College Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Branford Hall Career Institute | CT | Certificate | |
| Briarcliffe College | NY | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma | |
| Broadview University | UT | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Brookline College | Online | Bachelor | |
| Brown College | MN | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Brown Mackie College | AL, AZ, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, MO, NM, OH, OK, SC, TX | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma | |
| CHI Institute | PA | Associate, Diploma | |
| California College San Diego | CA | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Career Point College | OK, TX | Associate | |
| Central Career School | NJ | Certificate | |
| Central Pennsylvania College | PA | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Charter College | AK, CA, WA | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma | |
| CollegeAmerica | AZ, CO, WY | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Collins College | AZ | Associate | |
| Colorado Technical University | CO, MO, SD | Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| Colorado Technical University Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| Computer Career Center | NM, TX | Associate, Diploma | |
| DeVry Institute of Technology | AB | Bachelor | |
| DeVry University | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Master | |
| DeVry University Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, MD, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI | Graduate Certificate, Master | |
| DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management Online | Online | Graduate Certificate, Master | |
| Digital Media Arts College | FL | Bachelor | |
| ECPI Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma | |
| ECPI University | NC, SC, VA | Associate, Bachelor, Degree, Diploma | |
| Empire College | CA | Associate, Diploma | |
| Everest College | AZ, CO, MO, NV, ON, OR, UT | Bachelor, Diploma | |
| Everest Institute | NY, PA, TX | Diploma | |
| Everest University | FL | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Everest University Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Florida Technical College | FL | Associate | |
| Fortis College | FL, OH | Associate, Coursework, Diploma | |
| Golden Gate University | CA | Bachelor | |
| Golden Gate University Online | Online | Bachelor | |
| Grand Canyon University | Online | Master | |
| Hallmark College | TX | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate | |
| Harrison College | IN, OH | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate | |
| Heald College | CA, HI, OR | Associate, Certificate | |
| Herzing College | MB, ON, QC | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma | |
| Herzing University Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma | |
| Hesser College | NH | Associate, Bachelor | |
| ITT Technical Institute | AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Master | |
| Institute of Technology | CA | Diploma | |
| IntelliTec College | CO | Associate | |
| International Academy of Design and Technology | IL | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Ivy Bridge College of Tiffin University Online | Online | Associate | |
| Jones International University | Online | Master | |
| Kaplan Career Institute | MI, OH, PA | Associate, Diploma | |
| Kaplan College KHE | CA, FL, IN, NC, OH, TX, VA, WI | Associate, Diploma | |
| Kaplan University KHE | IA, MD, ME, NE | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Master | |
| Kaplan University Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate | |
| Keiser Career College | FL | Associate, Diploma | |
| Keiser University Campus | FL | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Keiser University eCampus Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| King's College | NC | Associate, Diploma | |
| Laurus College | CA | Certificate | |
| Lincoln College of Technology | FL, GA, KY, OH | Associate, Bachelor, Coursework | |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | MA, NJ, PA | Coursework | |
| Minnesota School of Business | MN | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Master | |
| Morrison University | NV | Associate, Master | |
| National American University Campus | CO, KS, MN, MO, NM, SD, TX | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| National College | IN, KY, OH, TN, VA, WV | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Diploma | |
| New England Institute of Technology | RI | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Northwestern College | IL | Associate | |
| Norwich University | Online | Master | |
| Olivet Nazarene University Graduate and Continuing Studies | IL | Bachelor, Master | |
| Pinnacle Career Institute | MO | Associate | |
| Pioneer Pacific College | OR | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Pittsburgh Technical Institute | PA | Associate, Certificate, Cisco Certificate | |
| Rasmussen College | FL, IL, MN, ND, WI | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Rutgers Business School | NJ | Master | |
| Sanford Brown College | IL, MI, MO, VA, WI | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Sanford Brown Institute | NY | Associate | |
| South University | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| South University Campus | AL, FL, GA, SC | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Southern Technical College | FL | Associate | |
| Southwest Florida College | FL | Associate, Bachelor | |
| Stanbridge College | CA | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma | |
| Stevens Henager College | ID, UT | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Master | |
| Stratford Career Institute | Online | Diploma | |
| Strayer University | AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WV | Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Master | |
| Sullivan University | KY | Associate, Bachelor, Diploma, Master, Microsoft Certificate | |
| TESST College of Technology | MD | Associate, Certificate | |
| The University of Liverpool | Online | Master | |
| UEI College | CA | Associate | |
| University of Phoenix | AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY | Associate, Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| University of Phoenix Online | Online | Associate, Bachelor, Master | |
| Vatterott College | IA, IL, KS, MO, NE, OH, OK, TN | Diploma | |
| Virginia College Online | Online | Bachelor, Master | |
| Walden University | Online | Bachelor, Doctorate, Master | |
| Western International University | AZ | Bachelor, Master |
We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Computer.
Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.
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