Best Schools for Computer Programming in 2026
31 schools ranked by DegreeWorth Score · Updated 2026
These are the top schools offering Computer Programming, ranked by DegreeWorth Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Computer Programming graduate earns $59,150/yr across 31 schools.
Programs Ranked
31
Avg Earnings
$59,150/yr
Avg DW Score
65/100
AI Risk
Very High
64% task exposure
All Computer Programming Programs Ranked
Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · Public |
82
75–85 |
$80,830/yr | 18.6x |
| 2 |
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE · Private nonprofit |
79
71–81 |
$69,254/yr | 21.3x |
| 3 |
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit |
79
72–81 |
$74,151/yr | 19.3x |
| 4 |
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, WA · Private for-profit |
75
69–77 |
$102,580/yr | 7.1x |
| 5 |
Herzing University-Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 6 |
Herzing University-Atlanta
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 7 |
Herzing University-Minneapolis
St. Louis Park, MN · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 8 |
Herzing University-Akron
Akron, OH · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 9 |
Herzing University-Madison
Madison, WI · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 10 |
Herzing University-Orlando
Winter Park, FL · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 11 |
Herzing University-New Orleans
Metairie, LA · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 12 |
Herzing University-Kenosha
Kenosha, WI · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 13 |
Herzing University-Brookfield
Brookfield, WI · Private nonprofit |
71
64–73 |
$50,242/yr | 14.4x |
| 14 |
New England Institute of Technology
East Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofit |
70
62–72 |
$72,595/yr | 5.6x |
| 15 |
DePaul University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit |
69
61–71 |
$72,234/yr | 4.4x |
| 16 |
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY · Public |
69
63–71 |
$45,383/yr | 19.4x |
| 17 |
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL · Private for-profit |
68
61–71 |
$67,539/yr | 6.8x |
| 18 |
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA · Public |
68
64–70 |
$42,668/yr | 29.5x |
| 19 |
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS · Public |
67
60–70 |
$57,162/yr | 24.4x |
| 20 |
ECPI University
Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit |
65
58–67 |
$49,614/yr | 9.3x |
| 21 |
University of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH · Public |
63
56–65 |
$64,311/yr | 11.6x |
| 22 |
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit |
59
52–61 |
$83,875/yr | 2.7x |
| 23 |
Elon University
Elon, NC · Private nonprofit |
59
52–62 |
$79,819/yr | 3.5x |
| 24 |
University of Phoenix-California
Ontario, CA · Private for-profit |
59
52–62 |
$74,151/yr | — |
| 25 |
University of Phoenix-Texas
Dallas, TX · Private for-profit |
59
52–62 |
$74,151/yr | — |
| 26 |
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit |
56
48–58 |
$52,190/yr | 6.5x |
| 27 |
University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ · Private for-profit |
55
54–56 |
$38,576/yr | 9.2x |
| 28 |
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS · Private nonprofit |
54
46–56 |
$56,305/yr | 2.7x |
| 29 |
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ · Public |
48
44–50 |
$41,799/yr | 5.7x |
| 30 |
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit |
43
36–45 |
$46,719/yr | 1.1x |
| 31 |
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE · Private nonprofit |
40
41–40 |
$35,551/yr | 6.2x |
Methodology
Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score, which combines four equally weighted factors: graduate earnings (Year 1 after graduation), AI automation resilience (based on OpenAI and academic research), job market size (BLS annual openings), and earnings-to-tuition multiple (10-year projected earnings vs. 4-year tuition).
Earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which reports actual median earnings of graduates — not self-reported surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school for Computer Programming?
Based on our DegreeWorth Score, University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks #1 for Computer Programming with a score of 82/100 and graduate earnings of $80,830/yr.
How much do Computer Programming graduates earn?
Across 31 schools, Computer Programming graduates earn an average of $59,150/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $102,580/yr.
Is Computer Programming a good major for AI resistance?
Computer Programming has an average AI task exposure of 64%, rated "Very High". This field has significant AI exposure. Check individual program pages for scenario analysis.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034
(employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE.
Last updated 2025.