Computer Programming, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Computer Programming, Other.: The DTI for this program is 50.5%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Computer Programming, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $43902) to the average debt ($22186) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Computer Programming, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 50.5%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Computer Programming, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($43902) against the typical student debt ($22186), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Computer Programming, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $43902, and the average student debt is $22186, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.51—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 12983 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Many students go on to become Computer Programmers, a role with a projected -6.0% growth rate. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Computer Programming, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Computer Programming, Other (CIP 11.0299) is a category for specialized or emerging programming tracks that do not fit into traditional buckets like general software engineering or web development. This "Other" designation often applies to programs focusing on niche hardware-software integration, legacy system maintenance, or domain-specific languages used in industries like aerospace, biotechnology, or high-frequency trading.
This degree is ideal for students who want to be "technical specialists" rather than "generalists." It is a path for those who are fascinated by how code interacts with unique environments—such as a robotic arm on a factory floor, a satellite in orbit, or a complex scientific simulation.
What Is a Computer Programming (Other) Degree?
A Computer Programming (Other) degree focuses on the advanced application of code to specific, often technical, problems. Unlike general computer science, which teaches broad theory, these programs are usually highly targeted. For example, a student might study Embedded Systems (programming the computer inside your car or microwave) or Low-Level Programming that talks directly to computer hardware without an operating system in the middle.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train programmers for specialized industrial or scientific environments
- Provide expertise in niche languages (like Fortran for science or COBOL for banking)
- Address the growing need for "Edge Computing" and Internet of Things (IoT) development
- Develop specialists who can optimize code for extreme performance and speed
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to write code that is often invisible to the average user but critical to the functioning of modern infrastructure.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master specialized or "low-level" programming languages (such as Assembly, C, or Rust)
- Develop software that controls physical hardware and sensors
- Debug complex logic errors in specialized environments where standard tools may not work
- Optimize code to run with very little memory or processing power
- Understand the "Instruction Set Architecture" (ISA) of different computer chips
- Integrate software with mechanical or electronic systems
Topics You May Explore
Coursework varies wildly depending on the program's specific niche:
- Embedded Systems Programming: Writing code for microcontrollers and specialized chips.
- Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): Managing systems where timing is critical (like flight controls).
- Legacy System Integration: Learning how to maintain and update older, critical codebases.
- Scientific Computing: Programming simulations for physics, chemistry, or weather.
- Compiler Design: Learning how to build the tools that translate code into machine language.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates often fill high-stakes roles where general software engineers lack the specific technical depth required.
Common job roles include:
- Embedded Software Engineer: Designing code for medical devices, cars, or appliances.
- Firmware Developer: Writing the permanent software that "boots up" hardware.
- Systems Programmer: Developing the core parts of operating systems or drivers.
- Automation Engineer: Programming robotic systems for manufacturing.
- Quantitative Developer: Writing high-speed code for financial market analysis.
Where Can You Work?
You will find these specialists in industries where software meets the physical world:
- Aerospace & Defense: Working on satellites, drones, and guidance systems.
- Automotive Industry: Developing self-driving features and engine control units.
- Healthcare Tech: Programming pacemakers, MRI machines, and surgical robots.
- Manufacturing: Designing "Smart Factory" systems and industrial controllers.
- Telecommunications: Optimizing the code that runs mobile networks and routers.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because these skills are specialized and often harder to find than general web development skills, pay is typically very high.
- Embedded Systems Engineers: Median annual salary of approximately $110,000–$140,000.
- Firmware Engineers: Median annual salary of around $115,000–$145,000.
- Automation Programmers: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $120,000.
- Senior Systems Programmers: With experience, salaries can exceed $170,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
This is often considered one of the most difficult tracks in computing. It requires a deep understanding of math and physics, as well as extreme patience. Unlike web development, where you can see a change instantly, specialized programming often involves "blind" debugging or working with hardware that is difficult to test. It requires a very high level of precision.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are fascinated by how machines "think" at the most basic level
- Prefer working on complex, "under-the-hood" logic over visual design
- Enjoy math and physics as much as you enjoy computers
- Like the idea of your code controlling something in the physical world
- Are a "perfectionist" who enjoys optimizing every line of code for speed
How to Prepare in High School
- Take the highest-level Physics and Math (Calculus) classes available
- Experiment with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi to practice hardware programming
- Learn "C" or "C++" – these are the foundational languages for specialized programming
- Join a robotics team (like FIRST Robotics) to see how code and mechanics interact
- Focus on building strong "problem-solving" stamina
The ability to think in "machine logic" and bridge the gap between abstract code and physical reality is the key to success in this specialized field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor