Best Schools for Computer Software and Media Applications

Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn a median of $39,139 within two years of graduation, ranking #125 out of 292 tracked majors — 10% above the median across all fields. There are 64 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 5,482 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Southern California graduates earn $108,649 while Atlantic University graduates earn $15,552 — a $93,097 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Computer Software and Media Applications graduates see an average 10% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

64
Schools
$39,139
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#125
of 292 Majors
5,482
Graduates

Public vs Private: Computer Software and Media Applications

Public (12 schools)
$38,367
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (17 schools)
$47,057
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $8,690 more in early earnings on average for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Computer Software and Media Applications by State

Top Computer Software and Media Applications Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$108,649
2yr Earnings
1yr: $72,085
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 10.0%
#2
N

Neumont College of Computer Science

Salt Lake City, UT · For-Profit

$72,274
2yr Earnings
1yr: $74,119
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 89.2%
#3
R

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$65,387
2yr Earnings
1yr: $57,806
Grads: 155
Acceptance: 71.4%
#4
F

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL · Public

$63,005
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.8%
#5
P

Park University

Parkville, MO · Private

$62,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,935
Grads: 52
Acceptance: N/A
#6
C

Champlain College

Burlington, VT · Private

$55,512
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,964
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 66.7%
#7
B

Baker College

Owosso, MI · Private

$54,035
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 87.5%
#8
B

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Rexburg, ID · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,978
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 97.0%
#9
U

University of Phoenix-Arizona

Phoenix, AZ ·

$49,493
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,600
Grads: 121
Acceptance: N/A
#10
U

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$49,493
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,600
Grads: 121
Acceptance: N/A
#11
U

University of Phoenix-Texas

Dallas, TX ·

$49,493
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,600
Grads: 121
Acceptance: N/A
#12
A

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$48,432
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,476
Grads: 155
Acceptance: N/A
#13
Q

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT · Private

$48,432
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.0%
#14
N

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, RI · Private

$48,432
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 72.7%
#15
F

Franklin University

Columbus, OH ·

$46,478
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#16
N

Northwest Missouri State University

Maryville, MO · Public

$45,715
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,075
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 85.9%
#17
U

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI · Public

$44,170
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,154
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 90.1%
#18
D

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$43,426
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,646
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 78.8%
#19
D

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, MI · Private

$42,532
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 97.0%
#20
U

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

$40,647
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,326
Grads: 50
Acceptance: 84.7%
#21
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$40,512
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,492
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 63.2%
#22
A

AI Miami International University of Art and Design

Miami, FL ·

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,712
Grads: 115
Acceptance: N/A
#23
D

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,325
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 73.5%
#24
M

Miami International University of Art & Design-Art Institute Dallas

Dallas, TX ·

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,712
Grads: 115
Acceptance: N/A
#25
U

Utah Valley University

Orem, UT ·

$38,769
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,782
Grads: 103
Acceptance: N/A
#26
S

School of Visual Arts

New York, NY · For-Profit

$37,568
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,114
Grads: 132
Acceptance: 91.3%
#27
P

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

$37,424
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,435
Grads: 100
Acceptance: 50.3%
#28
T

The Art Institute of Houston

Houston, TX ·

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,193
Grads: 72
Acceptance: N/A
#29
P

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, PA ·

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,469
Grads: 45
Acceptance: N/A
#30
T

The Art Institute of Austin

Bastrop, TX ·

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,193
Grads: 72
Acceptance: N/A
#31
T

The Art Institute of San Antonio

San Antonio, TX ·

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,193
Grads: 72
Acceptance: N/A
#32
U

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

$36,275
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,237
Grads: 58
Acceptance: 69.5%
#33
R

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Lakewood, CO ·

$35,274
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,227
Grads: 53
Acceptance: N/A
#34
T

The Art Institute of Atlanta

Atlanta, GA ·

$35,179
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,196
Grads: 153
Acceptance: N/A
#35
T

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach, VA ·

$35,179
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,196
Grads: 153
Acceptance: N/A
#36
F

Full Sail University

Winter Park, FL ·

$34,963
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,956
Grads: 164
Acceptance: N/A
#37
S

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,070
Grads: 41
Acceptance: 96.1%
#38
U

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$33,446
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,062
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 85.7%
#39
J

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence, RI · Private

$33,281
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,118
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 83.7%
#40
E

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA · Public

$31,236
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,949
Grads: 67
Acceptance: 91.8%
#41
W

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE ·

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,951
Grads: 53
Acceptance: N/A
#42
U

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private

$30,554
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,459
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 86.9%
#43
D

DeVry University-Arizona

Phoenix, AZ · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: N/A
#44
D

DeVry University-California

Ontario, CA · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: 43.3%
#45
D

DeVry University-Colorado

Westminster, CO · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: N/A
#46
D

DeVry University-Florida

Orlando, FL · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: 100.0%
#47
D

DeVry University-Georgia

Decatur, GA · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: 81.3%
#48
D

DeVry University-Illinois

Lisle, IL · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: 43.3%
#49
D

DeVry University-Missouri

Kansas City, MO · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: N/A
#50
D

DeVry University-New Jersey

Iselin, NJ · For-Profit

$29,887
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,529
Grads: 200
Acceptance: 100.0%

Showing top 50 of 64 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Computer Software and Media Applications?
University of Southern California ranks #1 for Computer Software and Media Applications with median graduate earnings of $108,649 within two years. There are 64 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn?
Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn an average of $39,139 within two years of graduation. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $15,552 to $108,649 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Computer Software and Media Applications program?
The average acceptance rate across Computer Software and Media Applications programs is 79.0%. The most selective program is at University of Southern California with a 10.0% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Computer Software and Media Applications?
Private Computer Software and Media Applications programs average $47,057 in early earnings vs $38,367 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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