Highest Paying IT Degrees

Updated by Daniel Greenspan

The average cost of college is now $38,270 per year, or about $153,000 over the 4-year degree. While money isn’t everything when choosing a career, you certainly want to invest in a program that increases your chances of landing a high-paying job after graduation and achieving long-term success.

For many students, a degree in information technology or computing is a solid bet. Our analysis of U.S. Census data found that bachelor’s degree holders in computer engineering and computer science earn some of the highest salaries among technology majors, followed by information science, computer information systems, and networking.

Computer and information technology careers pay a significant premium over most jobs. The median annual wage for computer and IT occupations reached $109,470 in 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Read on for the top-paying bachelor’s degrees that can help you land your dream job in IT.

How We Ranked the Degrees

ITCareerFinder analyzed IT bachelor’s degree fields using U.S. Census data; figures represent median earnings of full-time workers ages 25 to 54 whose highest degree is a bachelor’s. We also use data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for additional information where useful.

Here are the highest paying bachelor's degrees in IT:

1. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

   Computer engineering focuses on the practical aspects of development, hardware, and the building of computers and computer-based systems. These systems are everywhere, including automobiles, aircraft, appliances, phones, and communication networks.

   Computer engineering had the highest earnings in our Census analysis at $122,000. Engineering is also among the top-paid fields for new graduates. NACE projects an average starting salary of $81,198 for engineering grads in the Class of 2026.

   While computer engineering majors pursue many of the same careers as comp-sci majors, graduates also qualify for jobs that require deeper knowledge of hardware and computer systems. Computer hardware engineers, for instance, work on processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and other physical equipment.

   Experienced computer engineers can progress into engineering management or become a director of engineering or Chief Technology Officer.

2. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

   Although computer science is generally considered a difficult and challenging major, it provides the fundamental knowledge to succeed in almost every IT career.

   In addition to studying algorithms and the theoretical underpinnings of computation and programming, most students learn about lucrative fields like software engineering, data science, AI/ML engineering, databases, and cybersecurity.

   The salaries for computer science grads are impressive, too. Bachelor’s degree holders in computer science had median earnings of about $116,000 in our Census analysis, while NACE projects an average starting salary of $81,535 for the computer sciences category, making it the highest-paid category of majors for the Class of 2026.

   Software development is one of the most popular paths for CS grads. Software developers earned a median $135,980 in 2025, with the top-paid 10% earning over $214,000.

   If you prefer to live on the cutting edge of tech, customize your computer science bachelor’s with fast-growing domains like artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, or data science. The job titles vary, but the ability to program, understand computing systems, and solve complex technical problems is highly transferable.

   Game development is another option. A CS degree with game-development coursework can prepare you for programming and game-design roles while preserving more options outside gaming.

   Eventually, you can move into less technical roles like IT manager, product manager, or even CIO if that's your goal.

3. Bachelor of Science in Information Science

   The curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in information science typically covers a range of topics, such as database design, systems analysis, information management, programming, and the ways people and organizations wield technology.

   Bachelor’s holders in information science had median earnings of approximately $97,000 per the latest Census data.

   Info science grads can progress into higher-paying specialties. Database administrators and architects design, organize, and secure the systems organizations use to store data. The BLS reports median pay of $126,760 for this role in 2025. Computer systems analysts, another possible path, earned $105,850.

   Because universities use terms like information science, information systems, and information technology differently, pay close attention to the curriculum over the degree title alone.

4. Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

   Bachelor’s degrees in computer information systems blend information technology with the practical needs of businesses and organizations.

   A CIS curriculum typically covers database management, systems analysis, networking, programming, cybersecurity, and other core IT subjects. Many programs also incorporate training in business, project management, and communication.

   Computer and Information Systems bachelor’s graduates had median earnings of $92,000 in the latest Census.

   Computer systems analysis is a common role for CIS bachelor’s graduates. Systems analysts bridge the worlds of business and technology, solve problems, and provide insights to business and tech teams. The median salary for computer systems analysts is $105,850.

   With experience, you can move into IT project management, consulting, information systems management, and executive positions. This is where the combination of technical knowledge and business acumen can pay dividends.

5. Bachelor’s in Computer Networking

   Undergraduate computer networking programs cover network design, routing and switching, operating systems, wireless networks, security, systems administration, and increasingly cloud infrastructure and automation.

   Bachelor’s degree holders in computer networking and telecommunications had median earnings of $86,000 in our Census data analysis.

   Early in your career, you might work in network support or systems administration. Network and systems administrators earn a median salary of about $99,000. Network architects design and implement complex communication networks and cloud infrastructure, with a median pay of $134,050 in 2025.

   Standalone computer networking bachelor’s programs aren’t as common these days. Many colleges now offer networking as part of IT, cybersecurity, computer science, or informatics degrees. Whatever the program is called, look for coursework in cloud infrastructure, security, and automation.

Other Degrees That Lead to High-Paying IT Careers

Some strong degree options aren’t included in our top-five because comparable degree-holder earnings data is limited or they fall outside traditional IT degree categories. All can lead to high-paying careers in technology.

• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

  Cybersecurity bachelor’s programs cover in-demand subjects like network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, incident response, risk management, cyber operations, and cloud security. The Census combines security majors with computer administration and management, so we don’t have a clean degree-holder salary. Information security analysts earn $129,180 per BLS.

• Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering

  Software engineering is closely related to computer science but focuses on designing, building, and maintaining software. Software developers earn a median wage of $135,980 according to BLS. A software engineering degree provides a more direct path into development, while CS offers more flexibility across other computing specialties.

• Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics

  Data science combines computer science and statistics to turn massive amounts of data into useful information. Data Science and Data Analytics only recently became its own Census degree field, and our sample was too small to produce a reliable earnings figure. National jobs data is more complete: data scientists earn a median wage of $120,230 with a projected growth rate of a whopping 35% from 2025 to 2035.

• Bachelor’s Degrees in Mathematics

  Mathematics provides a strong foundation for programming, data science, AI, machine learning, cryptography, and cybersecurity, especially when paired with relevant computer science courses.

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration

  Business administration provides another route into IT for those who combine business and technical skills. Systems analysis, IT project management, product management, technology consulting, and business intelligence are common crossover paths for BBA graduates.

Further Reading:

• IT Courses and Degree Programs
• Jobs You Can Get with a CS Degree
• Information Technology Degrees by State
• Research IT and Computing Careers
• IT Salaries by Job Role and Location