Jobs You Can Get with a Computer Science Degree

ITCareerFinder breaks down the most sought-after information technology jobs you can get with a degree in computer science. Delve into each role for marketable courses and electives, salaries, recommended degree programs and insider tips.

There’s never been a better time than now to pursue a career in IT. The proliferation of emerging technologies in mobile and cloud computing, soaring demand for data science, programming and cyber security skills, and the increased automation (for better or worse) of legacy roles in retail and manufacturing, are just some of the factors driving a golden age for tech employment. There are infinite paths to the IT job of your dreams, but whichever road you choose there’s a good chance that earning a degree in computer science (CS) will be your first step.

CS curricula and the jobs you can land with a computer science degree vary widely, but there are some core subjects shared by most undergraduate computer science programs. The core curriculum in a CS associate or bachelor’s degree typically includes programming and software development, data structures and algorithms, operating systems, and applied mathematics. There are many CS specializations that dive deeper into one or more of these core areas, and plenty of computer science majors designed to prepare you for a specific IT career path. Your personal passions, resources like time and money, and the job you’re shooting for will dictate the computer science program that’s right for you.

Featured Computer Science Programs

These top-rated online degrees in computer science are currently enrolling students.

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Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Software Engineering

Southern New Hampshire University

• Cloud Application Development
• Cybersecurity & Secure Coding
• UI/UX Design and Development
• Software Reverse Engineering

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Master of Science in IT - Analytics

Capella University

• Data Mining and Predictive Modeling
• Learn SAS, R, Python and Tableau
• Big Data Visualization and Presentation
• Use Applied Forecasting to Solve Problems

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The curriculum in a graduate computer science program builds on the undergrad coursework above. Generally, a computer science master’s degree dives deeper into the technical skills you learned as an undergrad, with a greater focus on a specific career track and potential management roles. MBAs in computer science concentrate on the business side of things; here you will learn to use computing skills to set and achieve organizational goals. Doctoral and PhD degrees in computer science tend to focus on research and scientific advancement; these programs are geared toward jobs like computer research scientist and CS professor.

This article will lay out some of the best jobs you can achieve with a computer science diploma (“best” in this case means top-tier salaries, an aggressive hiring forecast, and a high rate of upward mobility). We'll also highlight the courses and electives you should pursue to maximize your job prospects in each role, recommended degree levels, and earnings.

Here are the best jobs you can get with computer science degree:

Android devices account for about 50% of the global smart phone market, making it the world's most popular mobile platform. When Android was introduced in 2007 it was a distant 5th in mobile platforms - trailing Apple's iOS, Blackberry (RIM), Windows Mobile and Symbian. With millions of Android devices in use, and an incredible 500,000+ new Android devices activated daily, the popularity of Android applications is increasing exponentially - and with it the demand for Android application developers is soaring. IT recruiters are reporting unprecedented demand for talented programmers with Android development training.

Featured Mobile Development Programs

These top-rated online training programs in mobile app development are currently enrolling students.

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B.S. in Computer Science: Software Engineering

Southern New Hampshire University

• Cross-Platform App Development
• Cybersecurity & Secure Coding
• UI/UX Design and Development
• Software Reverse Engineering

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Takeaway: This video provides an eye-opening look at the rapid progression of technology and social media in the global Age of Information.

Some of you will already be familiar with the "Did You Know?" video. The video - which you can watch right now below - began as a PowerPoint slideshow by Colorado middle school math teacher, Karl Fisch. Karl debuted the original presentation at a 2006 faculty meeting to fuel discussion with fellow teachers on how to prepare students for success in the technology-driven 21st century. This is the latest version, updated most recently in 2018.

If video does not load above, watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwtS6Jy3ll8.

I'm a huge fan of this video. I even used Did You Know? in a corporate seminar series about the speed of technology and the value of lifelong learning for a popular computer training firm. From executives and department heads to apprentice technicians and civilians, this thought-provoking video never failed to elicit ideas and interesting discussion. I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy!

Bonus: Did You Know? is the most comprehensive video, however there are some specialized versions, such as Did You Know? 4.0 which was created for The Economist magazine and highlights media convergence trends. Explore more releases on YouTube by searching "did you know" and "shift happens."

As the economy diversifies, so do the choices you face when you're preparing to enter the workforce. A four-year degree is no longer a must for many lucrative positions, nor is it an automatic ticket to career success. And with the cost of a traditional college education continuing to rise, student loans are becoming more of a burden, as well.

In short, it pays to look around at the growing number of alternatives that can jump-start you on a career path. Specialized professions in the culinary arts, sewing, carpentry, and money management (everything from credit to budgeting to investing) offer a wealth of opportunities through affordable certificate programs and apprenticeships.

But nowhere are the opportunities greater than in the IT field, which is good news because you can pursue training and certification in much of this space online. This has become even more crucial during the pandemic, as distance learning has become the norm in many places.

And if you're trying to save money (and who isn't?), here's some good news: There are numerous free online courses to explore, and plenty of places to get started.

Follow these steps to gain real-world expertise without a college degree:

Do you like money? Do you thrive on intellectual challenge? Are you fascinated by technology? A computer science degree can lead you to a fulfilling IT career on all three counts. Read on for the top benefits of earning a computer science degree...

While money isn’t everything when choosing a career, with the average total cost for a 4-year college degree reaching approximately $122,000, you certainly want to invest in a program that will increase your chances of landing a high-paying job after graduation and foster long-term success.

For many, a degree in information technology is probably your best bet. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, bachelor’s degrees in computer science and engineering lead to the highest salaries. Mathematics and business rank among the top paying fields, too.

Computer and information technology occupations are expected to grow 15 percent between 2021 and 2031 (much faster than the 5% growth rate for all occupations) according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And many companies are still hiring for entry-level roles in IT and computer tech, despite the pandemic.

Featured IT Degree Programs

These top-rated online technology programs are currently enrolling students.

Request info for program details, requirements, start dates, tuition & financial aid options.

Request Info

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Software Engineering

Southern New Hampshire University

• Full Stack Development
• Cross-Platform UI/UX Design
• Mobile Architecture & Programming
• Secure Software Development

Request Info

 

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Bachelor of Science in IT - Networking: Microsoft

Capella University

• Microsoft Network Administration
• Cloud Management and Architecture
• Install and Manage RFID Technologies
• CompTIA & Microsoft Certification Prep

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Whether you are already working toward a degree or shopping around for colleges, read on to learn more about the top paying degrees you need to land your dream job in IT.

(Note: Unless otherwise stated, all salaries cited in this post were taken from sites that collect data anonymously from employees.)

Here are the top paying bachelor's degrees in information technology:

There's a wide range of scholarships for aspiring tech pros; here are some of the most interesting and valuable.

This page will be updated continually with the latest and greatest scholarships and deadlines.

Information technology is among the most lucrative and opportunity-rich domains in the modern workforce, and a college degree is the best way to get a leg up in this competitive field. However, in today’s economy, paying for school can be challenging. Thankfully, there’s a variety of scholarships that can help you fund a world-class education in CS (computer science), IT (information technology) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines.

We scour the web, evaluate and reevaluate the most dynamic scholarships with the biggest payouts to find the best awards for students pursuing a career in IT. Most of the scholarships on this list are tech-focused, but we’ll also feature some undeniable awards that can be applied toward any field. Some contests only accept applicants from a certain demographic or socioeconomic group - in these cases we’ll outline those requirements in the scholarship’s description.

Here are our favorite scholarships for computing and information technology majors:

ITCareerFinder analyzes wages and hiring data to identify the highest paying information technology jobs.

This article will be updated annually with the latest tech jobs and salaries. Current year: 2022.

Pay may not be everything, but it’s very important. How important? According to a workforce study by Indeed, 93% of tech workers cite pay and benefits as the most important factor when considering a new job.

What’s more, in a rapidly changing field like information technology, workers often need to reach into their own pockets to acquire new skills and maintain their marketability. In other words, to make money in tech, you need money to invest in professional development.

To help you maximize your income potential, here is a look at 12 of the highest paying technology jobs, why they are so valuable to employers, and what you need to land a position.