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2023 Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools

752 Colleges
$39,619 Avg Salary
$33,819 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Computer Software & Applications School for You

In 2020-2021, 14,336 computer software and applications students received their degrees and certificates, making the major the #5 most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which computer science program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools ranking. This report analyzed 752 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular programs for computer science students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Computer Software & Applications program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Computer Software & Applications Colleges.

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for computer software and applications students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. WGU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City.

Computer Software majors at WGU take out an average of $24,669 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at Western Governors University

#2

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Academy of Art University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the large city of San Francisco.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from Academy of Art University carry an average student debt load of $41,095. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $772.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at Academy of Art University

Out of the 752 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network landed the # 3 spot on the list. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Berklee College of Music is a great place for computer software and applications students. Located in the large city of Boston, Berklee College of Music is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from Berklee College of Music carry an average student debt load of $26,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $783, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#5

School of Visual Arts

New York, NY

The excellent programs at School of Visual Arts helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best computer software and applications schools in the United States. SVA is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from SVA carry an average student debt load of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $818.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at School of Visual Arts

Rochester Institute of Technology ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Rochester, RIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

Computer Software majors at RIT take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $557.

Full Computer Software & Applications at Rochester Institute of Technology Report

#6

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

Valencia College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Valencia College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Orlando.

The average amount in student loans that computer software majors at Valencia College take out is $13,440.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at Valencia College

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, computer software majors at Purdue accumulate an average of around $20,500 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $322.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at Purdue University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #9, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer software and applications students. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a very large student population.

Computer Software majors at U-M take out an average of $18,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Computer Software & Applications at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#10

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer software and applications programs. GMU is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Fairfax.

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#11

The New School

New York, NY

The New School ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Located in the large city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that computer software majors at New School University take out is $25,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $591, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at The New School

#12

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

With a ranking of #12, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer software and applications students. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, computer software majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $19,525 in student debt.

Full Computer Software & Applications at Ivy Tech Community College Report

#13

New England College

Henniker, NH

New England College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer software and applications programs. Located in the rural area of Henniker, NEC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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#14

New York University

New York, NY

New York University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools ranking. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

Full Computer Software & Applications at New York University Report

Southern New Hampshire University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. SNHU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester.

The average amount in student loans that computer software majors at SNHU take out is $27,000.

Full Computer Software & Applications at Southern New Hampshire University Report

Georgia Piedmont Technical College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Located in the suburb of Clarkston, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

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#17

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University of Utah did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for computer software and applications students. It came in at #17 on the list. U of U is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City.

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University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools ranking. UST MN is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.

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DeVry University - Illinois ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. DeVry University - Illinois is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from DeVry University - Illinois carry an average student debt load of $34,808. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $158, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at DeVry University - Illinois

Atlantic University College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Atlantic University College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guaynabo.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from Atlantic University College carry an average student debt load of $5,500.

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Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools list. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

After completing their degree, computer software graduates from Texas A&M College Station carry an average student debt load of $20,937. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $474, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#22

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

DePaul University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools ranking. Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that computer software majors at DePaul take out is $26,001.

Full Computer Software & Applications at DePaul University Report

Southern Careers Institute - Austin landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular computer software and applications programs. Located in the city of Austin, Southern Careers Institute - Austin is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, computer software majors at Southern Careers Institute - Austin accumulate an average of around $11,415 in student debt.

Read full report on Computer Software & Applications at Southern Careers Institute - Austin

University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for computer software and applications students. It came in at #24 on the list. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

The average amount in student loans that computer software majors at USC take out is $22,000.

Full Computer Software & Applications at University of Southern California Report

With a ranking of #25, North Carolina State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for computer software and applications students. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Computer Software & Applications at North Carolina State University Report

#27

Northeastern University

Boston, MA
#28

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ
#29

George Washington University

Washington, DC
#30

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA
#31

Visible Music College

Memphis, TN
#32

Boston University

Boston, MA
#37

Regis University

Denver, CO
#38

Utah State University

Logan, UT
#39

Rhode Island School of Design

Providence, RI
#40

Bellevue College

Bellevue, WA
#41

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA
#43

Portland Community College

Portland, OR
#44

Champlain College

Burlington, VT
#49

Broward College

Fort Lauderdale, FL
#50

Mitchell Community College

Statesville, NC

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 752 different United States computer software and applications schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
52 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
52 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
52 Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA
55 University of Houston Houston, TX
56 Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL
57 Pittsburgh Technical College Oakdale, PA
58 Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UT
59 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
59 El Centro College Dallas, TX
61 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
61 Klamath Community College Klamath Falls, OR
63 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY
63 Lewis University Romeoville, IL
63 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
66 Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY
67 State College of Florida - Manatee - Sarasota Bradenton, FL
68 College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID
68 South Mountain Community College Phoenix, AZ
70 University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR
70 Stark State College North Canton, OH
72 Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, WA
73 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
74 San Diego Global Knowledge University San-Diego, CA
75 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
75 University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI
77 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO
77 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
79 New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY
80 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
80 Edmonds Community College Lynnwood, WA
82 Academy of Interactive Entertainment Seattle, WA
82 LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NY
82 Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI
85 Universidad del Este Carolina, PR
86 Collin County Community College District McKinney, TX
86 Dakota State University Madison, SD
88 Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, FL
88 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
90 Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA
90 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
92 Neumont College of Computer Science Salt Lake City, UT
92 Antelope Valley College Lancaster, CA
94 Wilmington University New Castle, DE
94 Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus Sewell, NJ
96 Eastern Florida State College Cocoa, FL
96 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
96 Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA
96 Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA
100 Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom Lakewood, WA
100 Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey, IL
100 Weber State University Ogden, UT
100 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
104 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
104 Leeward Community College Pearl City, HI
106 Terra State Community College Fremont, OH
106 Davis Technical College Kaysville, UT
106 University of Georgia Athens, GA
106 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA
110 Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA
110 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
110 AI Miami International University of Art and Design Miami, FL
110 Touro College New York, NY

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools award.

Rank College Location
114 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
114 Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY
114 Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA
114 Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI
114 Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS
114 Everett Community College Everett, WA
114 St Petersburg College Clearwater, FL
121 California College of the Arts San Francisco, CA
121 Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA
121 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
124 Cabrillo College Aptos, CA
124 University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WA
124 Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TN
124 University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD
128 Hunter Business School Levittown, NY
129 Joliet Junior College Joliet, IL
129 Academy of Interactive Entertainment Lafayette, LA
129 Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL
129 Citrus College Glendora, CA
129 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
129 College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, ID
129 DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA
129 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
137 Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA
138 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
138 Cogswell College San Jose, CA
138 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
138 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
138 Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA
143 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
143 Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA
143 ABCO Technology Inglewood, CA
143 Pueblo Community College Pueblo, CO
147 Marist College Poughkeepsie, NY
147 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
147 Towson University Towson, MD
147 Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner, MA
147 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC

Computer Software & Applications by Region

View the Most Popular Computer Software Applications Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 10 majors within the computer science area of study, computer software and applications has other similar majors worth exploring.

Computer Software Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Web & Multimedia Design 5,300
Data Modeling/Warehousing & Database Administration 3,756
Computer Graphics 2,988
Other Computer Software & Media Applications 1,438
Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation 854

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer Information Systems 88,434
Computer Science 59,565
Information Technology 40,555
Information Science 18,325
Computer Systems Networking 14,700

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Negative Space.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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