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MASTER'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 1108

Computer Software and Media Applications: is this master's degree worth it?

National picture across 26 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$119,840 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$119,840Median year-4 earnings

$25,332Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Computer Software and Media Applications

How much do Computer Software and Media Applications master's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $119,840 four years after completion across reportable master's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

A national median federal-debt figure is not reportable for this degree in the current release.

Does the college matter for Computer Software and Media Applications?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $96,989 to $140,032 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Computer Software and Media Applications?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 12 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$119,840Median reported earnings · year 4

$116,658Average reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

84thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges

26With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 2 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings: $40,090
Federal debt: $11,606
Reporting programs: 21

16 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $38,361
Federal debt: $17,937
Reporting programs: 46

46 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $51,596
Federal debt: $27,000
Reporting programs: 72

67 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Post-baccalaureate Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $82,592
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $119,840
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 26

26 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $104,433
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$96,989National median$119,84075th percentile$140,032

26 programs report year‑4 earnings.

DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$140,03275th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs

Not availableMedian federal debt across programs that report it

0Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median

PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$158,667Observed year-4 earnings$87,998

University of Southern California$32,740 price · $179,055 earnings George Mason University$17,915 price · $162,691 earnings DePaul University$30,902 price · $158,667 earnings Northeastern University$30,915 price · $158,542 earnings North Carolina State University at Raleigh$17,303 price · $148,845 earnings Lewis University$17,028 price · $140,898 earnings Boston University$24,402 price · $140,032 earnings Regis University$18,397 price · $139,693 earnings George Washington University$36,586 price · $134,232 earnings Western Governors University$12,548 price · $129,737 earnings University of Virginia-Main Campus$21,565 price · $127,420 earnings University of Georgia$13,936 price · $120,108 earnings University of St Thomas$29,155 price · $119,571 earnings Carnegie Mellon University$31,944 price · $113,586 earnings The New School$58,741 price · $113,315 earnings Appalachian State University$16,836 price · $107,500 earnings Pace University$30,892 price · $105,796 earnings Robert Morris University$23,003 price · $96,989 earnings Pennsylvania Western University$18,256 price · $95,801 earnings Austin Peay State University$9,735 price · $93,644 earnings University of Utah$16,200 price · $93,475 earnings New York University$37,050 price · $89,704 earnings Academy of Art University$40,613 price · $87,998 earnings Texas A&M University-College Station$21,315 price · $84,637 earnings

$12,548Annual college-wide average net price$37,050

Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →

Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

StateCollege typeMaximum federal debtSort by

26 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges

1University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$179,055Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$32,740

2George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$162,691Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,915

3DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$158,667Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$30,902

4Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$158,542Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$30,915

5Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$158,542Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available

6North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · PublicYear-4 earnings$148,845Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,303

7Lewis UniversityRomeoville, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$140,898Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,028

8Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$140,032Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$24,402

9Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$139,693Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,397

10George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$134,232Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$36,586

11Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$129,737Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,548

12University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$127,420Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,565

13University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$120,108Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,936

14University of St ThomasSaint Paul, MN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$119,571Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$29,155

15CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$114,338Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available

16Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$113,586Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$31,944

17The New SchoolNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$113,315Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$58,741

18Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · PublicYear-4 earnings$107,500Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,836

19Pace UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$105,796Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$30,892

20Robert Morris UniversityMoon Township, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$96,989Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$23,003

21Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$95,801Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,256

22Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN · PublicYear-4 earnings$93,644Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$9,735

23University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT · PublicYear-4 earnings$93,475Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,200

24New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$89,704Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$37,050

25Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$87,998Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$40,613

Open the full program search →

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1University of Southern California$179,055 2George Mason University$162,691 3DePaul University$158,667 4Northeastern University$158,542 5Northeastern University Professional Programs$158,542 6North Carolina State University at Raleigh$148,845 7Lewis University$140,898 8Boston University$140,032 9Regis University$139,693 10George Washington University$134,232

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Higher median wage ↑

-9%Projected employment growth →37%

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$63,820 median wage114,110 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1194-0.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$41,960–$108,620 10th–90th percentileData Scientists$120,230 median wage262,440 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-2051+34.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 24.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$67,240–$199,130 10th–90th percentileSpecial Effects Artists and Animators$102,030 median wage19,970 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-1014-0.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$58,600–$177,110 10th–90th percentileComputer Programmers$100,390 median wage92,230 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1251-7.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$57,710–$160,460 10th–90th percentileGraphic Designers$62,960 median wage197,830 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-1024-1.7% projected employment, 2025–35 · 16k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$39,520–$104,910 10th–90th percentileComputer and Information Systems Managers$175,140 median wage670,570 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3021+15.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 53.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$107,550–$297,510 10th–90th percentileComputer and Information Research Scientists$140,300 median wage37,200 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1221+21.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$82,200–$230,630 10th–90th percentileDatabase Architects$139,500 median wage67,140 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1243+9.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$86,240–$204,000 10th–90th percentileSoftware Developers$135,980 median wage1,687,890 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1252+10.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 95.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$82,460–$214,670 10th–90th percentileDatabase Administrators$104,620 median wage69,990 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1242-0.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$60,230–$163,320 10th–90th percentileWeb and Digital Interface Designers$104,000 median wage113,330 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1255+6.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 8.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$53,750–$201,550 10th–90th percentileComputer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$96,980 median wage35,480 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1021+4.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$49,460–$170,200 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND MEDIA APPLICATIONS

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	University of Southern CaliforniaMaster's Degree	Los Angeles, CA	$179,055	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$32,740
2	George Mason UniversityMaster's Degree	Fairfax, VA	$162,691	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$17,915
3	DePaul UniversityMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$158,667	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$30,902
4	Northeastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$158,542	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$30,915
5	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$158,542	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	Not available
6	North Carolina State University at RaleighMaster's Degree	Raleigh, NC	$148,845	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$17,303
7	Lewis UniversityMaster's Degree	Romeoville, IL	$140,898	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$17,028
8	Boston UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$140,032	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$24,402
9	Regis UniversityMaster's Degree	Denver, CO	$139,693	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$18,397
10	George Washington UniversityMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$134,232	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$36,586
11	Western Governors UniversityMaster's Degree	Salt Lake City, UT	$129,737	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$12,548
12	University of Virginia-Main CampusMaster's Degree	Charlottesville, VA	$127,420	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$21,565
13	University of GeorgiaMaster's Degree	Athens, GA	$120,108	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$13,936
14	University of St ThomasMaster's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$119,571	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$29,155
15	CUNY Graduate School and University CenterMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$114,338	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	Not available
16	Carnegie Mellon UniversityMaster's Degree	Pittsburgh, PA	$113,586	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$31,944
17	The New SchoolMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$113,315	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$58,741
18	Appalachian State UniversityMaster's Degree	Boone, NC	$107,500	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$16,836
19	Pace UniversityMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$105,796	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$30,892
20	Robert Morris UniversityMaster's Degree	Moon Township, PA	$96,989	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$23,003
21	Pennsylvania Western UniversityMaster's Degree	California, PA	$95,801	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$18,256
22	Austin Peay State UniversityMaster's Degree	Clarksville, TN	$93,644	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$9,735
23	University of UtahMaster's Degree	Salt Lake City, UT	$93,475	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$16,200
24	New York UniversityMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$89,704	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$37,050
25	Academy of Art UniversityMaster's Degree	San Francisco, CA	$87,998	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$40,613
26	Texas A&M University-College StationMaster's Degree	College Station, TX	$84,637	Not available	WithheldBaseline needed	$21,315

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.