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Computer programmer and operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer programmer and operator. Computer programmer and operators usually study computer science, computer programming, or business. 42% of computer programmer and operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 40% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 519 real computer programmer and operator resumes to see exactly what computer programmer and operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer programmer and operators are the University of Akron and the University of Akron.
There are also many online computer programmer and operator courses to help get the education required to be a computer programmer and operator.
What education do you need to become a computer programmer and operator?
What degree do you need to be a computer programmer and operator?
- Bachelor's, 42%
- Associate, 40%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a computer programmer and operator?
- Computer Science, 27%
- Computer Programming, 15%
- Business, 13%
- Other Majors, 37%
Most common colleges for computer programmer and operators
| Computer programmer and operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Akron | 8.70% |
| Augusta | 6.52% |
| Purdue University | 6.52% |
| Western Kentucky University | 6.52% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.52% |
Best majors for computer programmer and operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Science | 27.3% |
| 2 | Computer Programming | 15.1% |
| 3 | Business | 13.5% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 7.9% |
| 5 | Data Processing | 5.3% |
Best colleges for computer programmer and operators
The best colleges for computer programmer and operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A computer programmer and operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for computer programmer and operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become computer programmer and operators.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
5. Elon University
Elon, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$35,319
Enrollment
6,196
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
9. Southwestern College
Winfield, KS • Private
In-state tuition
$30,150
Enrollment
1,314
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
20 best online courses for computer programmer and operators
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Top 10 most affordable universities for computer programmer and operators
The most affordable schools for computer programmer and operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for computer programmer and operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for computer programmer and operators.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
9. Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$7,879
Cost of attendance
21,223
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer programmer and operators
The hardest universities for computer programmer and operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for computer programmer and operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for computer programmer and operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer programmer and operators
The easiest schools for computer programmer and operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, nyack college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer programmer and operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for computer programmer and operators.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Manor College
Jenkintown, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
898
5. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
6. University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
1,005
7. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
10. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
Average computer programmer and operator salary by education level
| Computer programmer and operator education level | Computer programmer and operator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,505 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,365 |
| Doctorate Degree | $52,523 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $38,872 |
Computer programmer and operator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025