Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Software applications specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a software applications specialist. Software applications specialists usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 65% of software applications specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 213 real software applications specialist resumes to see exactly what software applications specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for software applications specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online software applications specialist courses to help get the education required to be a software applications specialist.
What education do you need to become a software applications specialist?
What degree do you need to be a software applications specialist?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 15%
- Master's, 12%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a software applications specialist?
- Business, 18%
- Computer Science, 17%
- Marketing, 5%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for software applications specialists
| Software applications specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 8.33% |
| Northwest Missouri State University | 5.56% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.56% |
| Providence College | 5.56% |
| University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | 5.56% |
Best majors for software applications specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 17.7% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 16.8% |
| 3 | Computer Information Systems | 13.3% |
| 4 | Marketing | 5.3% |
| 5 | Education | 3.5% |
Best colleges for software applications specialists
The best colleges for software applications specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A software applications specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for software applications specialists. 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 software applications specialists.
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. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for software applications specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Computer Hardware and Software
This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...
2. Best Software QA Testing Training H2K Infosys Live Classes
QA Software Testing Training Course live classes only, Live Project, ALM, SQL, UNIX, Resume prep,Interview questions...
3. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting
Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...
4. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking
For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...
5. IT Support and Service Desk jobs -Crash Course for Beginners
Let me help you land your first job in IT. Learn about different roles, procedures, tools, and applications - Part 1...
6. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
7. Service Desk Analyst Crash course for beginners.
Get Hands-On Experience for following JOB roles - Service Desk Analyst IT Help Desk Professional L1 IT Support GSD...
8. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
9. Help Desk Analyst
Boost your career with this course, pass the e-Learning course, and achieve your Help Desk Analyst certificate...
10. Learning IT Help Desk Basics
Get the skills you need to pursue an entry-level position as an IT help desk technician...
11. The Complete Cloud Computing Software Architecture Patterns
Architect Large Scale Systems using Cloud Computing, Software Architecture Patterns & Modern System Design Principles...
12. Software Testing: Learn Manual/QA Testing + ISTQB CTFL Help
Software Testing Course for learning Test Fundamentals,QA Manual Testing, STLC, Automation Basics & ISTQB CTFL Help...
13. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
14. CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software
A Computer Science & software programming / coding bootcamp for absolute beginners. No coding background necessary...
15. IT Help Desk for Beginners
The essentials to become an IT Help Desk Technician...
16. Zendesk for Customer Service Agents Training Course
How to provide great customer support using Zendesk, a course for beginners...
17. Application Packaging Training
Get trained with Application Packaging trainer. Experience the Real time implementation and setup Software Packaging Lab...
18. ITS 305 IT Specialist Software Development - Exam Prep tests
Prepare for the ITS 305 IT Specialist Software Development exam with this Q & A course with thorough concept explanations...
19. IT Help Desk Professional
Get Hands-On Experience on Helpdesk Skills, Learn, Master & Troubleshoot All What It Takes To Get You a Job...
20. Voice of Customer VOC Techniques Training and Certification
Get Trained to use the VOC Techniques and achieve the VOC Techniques Specialist Certification (Earn PDUs)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for software applications specialists
The most affordable schools for software applications specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for software applications specialists 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 software applications specialists.
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. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for software applications specialists
The hardest universities for software applications specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for software applications specialists 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 software applications specialists 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for software applications specialists
The easiest schools for software applications specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a software applications specialist 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 software applications specialists.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average software applications specialist salary by education level
| Software applications specialist education level | Software applications specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $117,553 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $94,976 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $104,329 |
| Doctorate Degree | $112,994 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $96,742 |
Software applications specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for software applications specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025