Best Computer Programming Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
28
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$291,305
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$31,430
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Grad rate: 55.5% |
WA | +$903,386 | $99,265 | $51,366 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Grad rate: 56.3% |
MI | +$812,593 | $88,448 | $22,435 | $19,723 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Neumont College of Computer Science
Grad rate: 57.0% |
UT | +$734,824 | $86,542 | $39,004 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Herzing University-Atlanta
Grad rate: 26.6% |
GA | +$489,422 | $74,006 | $27,195 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Baker College
Grad rate: 22.9% |
MI | +$403,256 | $66,854 | $23,456 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
New England Institute of Technology
Grad rate: 54.1% |
RI | +$387,660 | $73,646 | $48,445 | $38,133 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Herzing University-Kenosha
Grad rate: 47.4% |
WI | +$385,382 | $68,083 | $23,590 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Herzing University-Minneapolis
Grad rate: 72.3% |
MN | +$384,754 | $68,083 | $23,747 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Herzing University-Brookfield
Grad rate: 63.4% |
WI | +$376,226 | $68,083 | $25,879 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Herzing University-Orlando
Grad rate: 32.4% |
FL | +$375,698 | $68,083 | $26,011 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Herzing University-Akron
Grad rate: 21.4% |
OH | +$373,390 | $68,083 | $26,588 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Herzing University-Madison
Grad rate: 24.4% |
WI | +$372,994 | $68,083 | $26,687 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Herzing University-New Orleans
Grad rate: 32.2% |
LA | +$372,934 | $68,083 | $26,702 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Herzing University-Birmingham
Grad rate: 29.4% |
AL | +$370,962 | $68,083 | $27,195 | $31,050 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Davenport University
Grad rate: 49.8% |
MI | +$327,544 | $65,550 | $35,864 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
University of Phoenix-California
Grad rate: 21.4% |
CA | +$264,385 | $58,541 | N/A | $49,211 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
University of Phoenix-Texas
Grad rate: 12.2% |
TX | +$264,385 | $58,541 | N/A | $49,211 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
DePaul University
Grad rate: 69.7% |
IL | +$210,911 | $66,160 | $59,467 | $25,497 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Kennesaw State University
Grad rate: 47.2% |
GA | +$205,849 | $58,918 | $24,618 | $25,214 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
University of Advancing Technology
Grad rate: 42.0% |
AZ | +$201,309 | $60,399 | $31,353 | $30,562 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
ECPI University
Grad rate: 47.8% |
VA | +$199,798 | $60,160 | $27,999 | $38,078 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Grad rate: 18.7% |
AZ | +$186,589 | $58,541 | $19,449 | $49,211 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Full Sail University
Grad rate: 45.0% |
FL | +$178,091 | $61,390 | $39,814 | $37,372 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Farmingdale State College
Grad rate: 55.6% |
NY | +$95,431 | $51,652 | $17,146 | $21,500 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Youngstown State University
Grad rate: 51.0% |
OH | +$84,968 | $50,254 | $20,028 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
North Carolina Central University
Grad rate: 45.1% |
NC | -$93,932 | $42,427 | $25,618 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Tulane University of Louisiana
Grad rate: 88.2% |
LA | -$347,239 | $43,975 | $83,761 | $38,293 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
NUC University
Grad rate: 59.4% |
PR | -$365,032 | $26,504 | $13,778 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Computer Programming Degrees by State
Browse Computer Programming programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.