Mobile app developer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mobile app developer. Mobile app developers usually study computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering. 71% of mobile app developers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,055 real mobile app developer resumes to see exactly what mobile app developer education sections show.

The most common colleges for mobile app developers are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.

There are also many online mobile app developer courses to help get the education required to be a mobile app developer.

What education do you need to become a mobile app developer?

What degree do you need to be a mobile app developer?

The most common degree for mobile app developers is bachelor's degree, with 71% of mobile app developers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 71%

Master's, 16%

Associate, 9%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a mobile app developer?

You should major in computer science to become a mobile app developer. 36% of mobile app developers major in computer science. Other common majors for a mobile app developer include computer engineering and electrical engineering.

Computer Science, 36%

Computer Engineering, 16%

Electrical Engineering, 9%

Information Technology, 7%

Other Majors, 32%

Most common colleges for mobile app developers

Mobile app developers often get their degrees at University of California - Davis, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Boston University. Here are the most common colleges for mobile app developers in the US based on their resumes.

Mobile app developer common college	Percentages
University of California - Davis	12.64%
University of California, Santa Barbara	8.05%
Boston University	6.90%
New York University	6.90%
San Jose State University	5.75%

Show more common mobile app developer colleges

Best majors for mobile app developers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Computer Science	36.1%
2	Computer Engineering	15.6%
3	Electrical Engineering	8.8%
4	Information Technology	6.6%
5	Business	5.7%

Show more common mobile app developer majors

Best colleges for mobile app developers

The best colleges for mobile app developers are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.

A mobile app developer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mobile app developers. 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 mobile app developers.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

10. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

20 best online courses for mobile app developers

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1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)

Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...

2. Data Science Immersive (Full-time)

Harness the power of data science to solve the world’s most challenging problems by developing your skills in predictive modeling, pattern recognition, data visualization, wrangling massive data sets, forecasting trends, and informing strategy across diverse industries like public policy, robotics, and FinTech...

3. Programming for Data Science with R

Prepare for a data science career by learning the fundamental data programming tools: R, SQL, command line, and git...

4. Full Stack Web Developer

Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...

5. Introduction to Android Mobile Application Development

This course is an ideal stepping stone if you want to become a mobile developer. We’ll introduce you to this career path and give you a high-level overview of programming and the tools needed to develop Android applications. Explore the Android Studio and the fundamental concepts of Android app development. Learn about operating systems and different platforms for creating mobile apps. You’ll conclude your introduction to Android application development by building out each aspect of a guided...

6. Mobile Development and JavaScript

This course is the first in a series that will allow you to expand your skills as an Android developer into the world of cross-platform mobile development. This will allow you to use your foundations as an Android developer to build cross-platform mobile applications. The first step in this expansion is learning to program in JavaScript. This will prepare you to learn to use the React library for mobile development. JavaScript is the programming language that powers the modern web. In this...

7. Responsive Web & Mobile Development in HTML,CSS & Javascript

(1,216)

Create interactive and responsive web/hybrid mobile apps for android and ios using HTML, CSS and Javascript...

8. Full Stack Web & Mobile App Development Mern Stack Project

4.6

(272)

Full Stack Web Development and Mobile App Development with React JS, React Native, Node JS, Mongo DB MERN Stack Projects...

9. Data Science (Part Time)

Create robust predictive models with statistics and Python programming. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex machine learning problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

10. Python Programming (Part Time)

Gain fluency in Python — the world's fastest-growing major programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build web and data science applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

11. Android Kotlin Developer

Master Android app development with Kotlin, a modern programming language that enables developers to be more concise and productive. Build professional apps for the world's most popular mobile platform using Android Studio and Kotlin...

12. Artificial Intelligence for Trading

Complete real-world projects designed by industry experts, covering topics from asset management to trading signal generation. Master AI algorithms for trading, and build your career-ready portfolio...

13. Mobile App Development with Flutter & Dart (iOS and Android)

4.2

(309)

The Complete i OS and Android Mobile App Development Course with Flutter and Dart (2022)...

14. .NET MAUI Mobile App Development

4.5

(619)

Become a mobile app developer with .NET MAUI, and write robust cross platform mobile apps today!...

15. Front-End Web Development (Part Time)

Start building responsive websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — a versatile skill set with powerful applications in a variety of design, marketing, and other tech-adjacent roles. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

16. JavaScript Development (Part Time)

Gain fluency in JavaScript — the world's most popular programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build rich, interactive websites and applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

17. Data Engineer

Learn to design data models, build data warehouses and data lakes, automate data pipelines, and work with massive datasets...

18. iOS Developer

Master the Swift programming language, and create a portfolio of iOS apps for iPhone and iPad to showcase your skills!...

19. Android App Development with Kotlin Beginner to Advanced

4.6

(1,069)

Kotlin Android App Development with Kotlin Android A-Z, Firebase Android, Android Studio, Android Development projects...

20. Ionic React: Cross-Platform Mobile Development with Ionic

4.7

(882)

Create mobile web and native Android/i OS apps from a single codebase with React, Ionic Framework, Capacitor, Firebase...

Top 10 most affordable universities for mobile app developers

The most affordable schools for mobile app developers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for mobile app developers 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 mobile app developers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mobile app developers

The hardest universities for mobile app developers to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for mobile app developers 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 mobile app developers 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

9. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mobile app developers

The easiest schools for mobile app developers to get into are Capitol Technology University, oregon institute of technology, and san francisco state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mobile app developer 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 mobile app developers.

1. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

4. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

5. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

7. Portland State University

Portland, OR • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,111

8. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Suffolk University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

10. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

Average mobile app developer salary by education level

According to our data, mobile app developers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $114,019 annually. Mobile app developers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $106,010.

Mobile app developer education level	Mobile app developer salary
Master's Degree	$106,010
Bachelor's Degree	$98,044
Doctorate Degree	$114,019

Mobile app developer education FAQs

What is the best college for Mobile APP Developers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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