WHAT IS COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY

A recent survey asked people what three things they would take to a deserted island. A full 33% of people said they’d take computer technology.

Yes, even as snakes overtake their grass hut and monkeys lob coconuts, people still want to power up their iPhones, Androids, laptops, and Kindles.

There are too many explanations to list for what constitutes “computers and technology.” In summary, it is the design and use of computers to solve problems and make life easier.

Sometimes this means designing the next big IPhone app, or even the phone itself. And other times it can mean analyzing complex databases of information, to answer interesting and important questions.

Whichever route you choose to take, College Choice is here to help you find the best program for you! For instance, if you’re interested in computer science check out our Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degrees ranking!

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why study computers and technology?
• How much can I earn with a computer or technology degree?
• What kinds of degrees are available in computers and technology?
• What kinds of specializations are available in computers and technology?
• What are the requirements for a career in computers and technology?

What exactly does a person do in the technology industry?

A career in technology could mean providing support when an application stops working. Others work on Cloud data storage. Some design smaller and smaller computers and smartphones.

Many actively work to protect corporations from hacking. A few even develop new languages to interact with computers.

This is a diverse field, with jobs more suited to quantitative, math-minded folks, other jobs that could fully satisfy those with a more artistic soul, as well as career paths for people who want to combine “left-brain” and “right-brain” thinking.

Really, anyone can flourish in tech so long as they find their niche.

If you’re more artistically minded, then consider pursuing a career in video game design. This field takes the dry codes of computer programming and turns them into stunning and engaging visual masterpieces.

And students who are more analytical can try a field like data science. Data science is all about using large sets of information to answers specific questions to aid corporate decision making or forward scientific progress.

Whatever you decide to do, technology will only become an increasingly important part of our world, and computer & technology experts will be the ones leading the charge!

How Much Money Can You Make If You Study Computers & Technology?

Computer technology will not be obsolete in our lifetime. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth in the technology sector will grow 12 percent by 2024. That is 488,500 new job openings.

Attribute these figures to the growth in cloud computing, big data, internet commerce, and mobile computing.

Salaries far outpace national averages. For all occupations in all fields, the national median salary is $37,040. The median salary for computer science? $82,860.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers has different salary averages and separates them by region: Northeast ($62,928), Southeast ($65,227), Midwest ($61,648), and West ($75,624).

And looking at individual states, someone pursuing a field such as Database Administration would find a wealth of opportunity in Virginia, Delaware, or Maryland, who have the most jobs per 10,000 people in the country.

New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and Colorado have the highest median salaries, floating right around $100,000.

And states like Missouri, Michigan, and Georgia offer the greatest balance between cost-of-living and median salaries in their areas.

What Computer & Technology Degree Should I Get?

The fastest college degree to complete is the two-year Associate’s degree. Salaries for Web Developers with Associate’s degrees, for example, range all the way from $35,390 to $119,550.

Coursework in these programs will center around the specific field a student has chosen to pursue, with limited coursework in other disciplines.

Four-year Bachelor’s degrees are most common for technology professionals. Look for a Bachelor’s curriculum teaching algorithms, data structures, data retrieval, programming, logic, and computer architecture.

Each program’s curriculum will offer a more in-depth look into the focus area, as compared to an Associate’s degree, and will also include courses outside of the student’s specific discipline. Salaries for Computer Systems Analysts range from $53,110 to $137,690.

Graduate and post-graduate students seek the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), Doctor of Computer Science (DCS), or PhD in Computer Science. MSCS graduates anticipate a 27 percent job growth and starting salary around $110,000.  

These MSCS programs focus on building an even more extensive and robust set of skills, as compared to a student’s undergraduate program.

The DCS is a degree in applied research. Degree candidates study the theory and practice behind computing. Payscale records Research Scientists as having an average salary of $115,279.

Computer Science PhD describes PhD scientists as inventors of new programming languages, experimenters of software systems, and authors of academic articles. A PhD in Computer Science had a top salary of $170,610 in 2015.

What Computer & Technology Specialties Are Available?

Under the umbrella of Computer Science and Technology, there are subfields that may better suit your interests. These include software engineering, robotics engineering, Cloud development, data science, Android engineering, and UI/UX architecture.

There are also careers in artificial intelligence, health information systems, data retrieval, computer security and cryptography, computer graphics, and human/computer interactions.

Have a theoretical mind? Consider pursuing coding theory, algorithms, data structures, or programming language concepts.

A skilled computer scientist thinks logically to solve problems. He or she is creative in troubleshooting and experimentation. This person grasps abstract ideas and applies technology to human needs. If this sounds like you, consider a career in the computer and technology sectors.

Cybersecurity

From stealing 100 million retail customers’ credit card information to destroying nuclear centrifuges, cyber attacks have real-word consequences.

And as more and more information goes into the cloud, cybersecurity can only become more important. The need for experts in the field is acute.

Take a look at the job outlook for Information Security Analysts. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay in this field is $92,600 per year.

If you’re interested in this lucrative field, there will be plenty of opportunity. The BLS projects “much faster than average” growth in the field—18% to be exact.

College Choice has published a list of the Best Online Cyber Security Degrees as well as the Most Affordable Online Cyber Security Degrees. But we’ve also put together rankings of the more specific sub-disciplines.

Information Systems Security deals with computer networks, and is a critical aspect of cybersecurity. We’ve ranked the Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Systems Security Degrees and the Best Online Master’s in Information Systems Security Degrees. On a budget? Then check out the Most Affordable Online Information Systems Security Degrees.

If you’re more interested in preventing and dealing with crime, then take a look at our list of the Best Online Bachelor’s in Cyber Crime Degrees.

Computer Science

With each year, science and technologies continue to evolve, grow, and thrive as consumers continue to demand faster, better, and stronger machinery and operating systems to power their lives.

Thus, more and more creative minds are needed to further expand the industry and to help discover new technologies that can be implemented in all facets of our lives.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the computer science industry is projected to grow much faster than other industries over the next 10 years.

From smartphones and smart cars, to the technology used in hospitals and universities, computer science is an exciting industry that forces us to continue to look towards the future.

College Choice has published lists for a wide variety of computer science degrees. For people looking to save cash, we have the Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degrees and the Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Computer Science.

These programs have the flexibility that many need to finish up a degree since it’s not always possible to make it to a campus to attend classes.

We’ve also ranked the Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science Degrees and the Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degrees.

If you’re interested in pursuing a Computer Science degree on a college campus, then check out the Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Computer Science and the Best Master’s Degrees in Computer Science.

Computer Programming

As new technologies continue to emerge, the need for computer programmers continues to grow as well. If you have a knack for the language of computers, then a degree in computer programming may be perfect for you. Whether you’re an avid gamer looking to develop the next big video game, or you’d like to become an expert software developer, you’ll gain the skills you need to succeed with this degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer programmers can make upwards of $79,000 per year. Most computer programmers have at least a bachelor’s degree; of course, the more education you have, the higher your earning potential will be. And while many work in offices, there is a growing space for computer programmers to be able to work remotely. However, this shift has also caused a projected decline of 7 percent for hires in the industry from now till 2026. This is because many companies are outsourcing programming to foreign folks outside of the U.S.

Of course, that number shouldn’t deter you from following your dream. A degree in computer programming can lead to tons of success. With so many computer degree programs out there, it can be difficult to find the best one. Luckily, College Choice has ranked the Best Computer Programming Degrees. If you’re interested in online education, then there we also have the Best Online Master’s in Computer Programming Degrees for you to look at.

We’ve put together a helpful ranking of the Most Affordable Online Computer Programming Degrees and the Most Affordable Online Master’s in Computer Programming Degrees so you can learn more about the industry and various degree programs that are available and keep a budget.

Database Management

Managers, designers, and administrators of database systems are needed in a wide range of industries and disciplines, from healthcare and nonprofits to government and technology.

Not just a job for nerds, database managers need to be both creative and ethical programmers. As more data is stored digitally and in the cyber world, the demand for such database managers is only getting larger, with job prospects only continuing to grow.

In fact, it’s projected that demand for those holding a bachelor’s degree in database management will rise at least 11 percent in the next seven years. Also, the average salary for database managers is around $84k annually; not a bad chunk of change for today’s world. People even have the potential to earn up to 110k annually if they hold advanced degrees in the area.

In today’s society, flexibility and affordability is an important consideration when getting a college degree. That’s why College Choice has published a list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Database Management.

We’ve also ranked the Best Online Master’s Degrees in Database Management and the Most Affordable Online Master’s in Big Data Degrees.

Information Technology

If you’ve ever worked in an office environment, you know the IT guy is the one you call for help when restarting doesn’t help. However, an IT person deals with much more complicated things than that on a daily basis.

So complicated, in fact, that there’s an entire profession dedicated to understanding, managing, and helping others to use computers and a variety of information systems.

The job outlooks are promising too. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, careers in computer and information technology occupations are set to grow in double-digit percentages within the next decade.

Median pay can even start in the six figures! But you’ll probably need a master’s degree or higher to expect that sort of dough.

College Choice has published a list of the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Information Technology. We’ve also ranked the Best Online Master’s Degrees in Information Technology.

If you’re interested in pursuing an Information Technology degree on a college campus rather than online, then check out the Best Master’s Degrees in Information Technology that we’ve ranked.

If this degree is of particular interest to you, definitely check out our Best Information Technology Degrees ranking too.

Game Design

There’s no doubt about it – the gaming industry has long since grown since the days of Atari and Game Boys. With the growth of technology, games have become more and more realistic, with virtual reality designs sending joysticks to the background. Do you hope to create the next hit video game? Do you have a creative mind and a love for fun and games? Game design is definitely not all play; it’s a challenging, yet rewarding career if you have the energy and passion for it.

According to Sokanu, video game designers earn a median salary of $85,240 per year. Salaries typically start from $45,320 and can go up to nearly $130,000. Job prospects for game designers are expected to grow by over 3 percent over the next seven years. The game designer industry is concentrated in California, Illinois, and Maryland, however there are plenty of flexible, remote opportunities for designers as well.

Whether you’re interested in the aesthetic or technological side of game development and design, there are a number of both affordable and high-quality programs offered completely online. In fact, College Choice has curated the Best Online Bachelor’s in Game Design Degrees. If affordability is your highest priority, we have also ranked the Most Affordable Online Game Design Degrees for 2018.

If you’d rather take the course in-person, we have also ranked the Best Bachelor’s in Game Design Degrees.

Web Design

If you’re computer savvy and looking to gain an income using your technical skills, a degree in web design may be perfect for you. No matter what the industry, all businesses seem to have corresponding web pages today. It’s essential for people to be able to find out more information online. As more and more websites require mobile touchscreen accessibility, web designers must also be able to code sites that are compatible with mobile devices. Businesses need the creativity and technical skills of web designers now more than ever.

According to Payscale, web designers make, on average, almost $50,000 a year. Not a bad salary for a job that allows you the flexibility to work from anywhere and the ability to create your own schedule. Plus, the more experience and technical skills you have, the better. You can make up to nearly $80,000 as a web designer. This job requires the frequent updating of design skills, so you’ll be continuously learning. The more you know, the more jobs you’ll score!

College Choice has ranked the Best Bachelor’s in Web Design Degrees. If you’d prefer to take your degree online, be sure to check out our ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s in Web Design Degrees. From Full Sail University to Bellevue University, there are plenty of excellent programs out there. If cost is a high factor in your mind, we have also ranked the Most Affordable Online Web Design Degrees.

If you are looking for a graduate program, then check out the rankings for the Best Online Master’s in Web Design and the Most Affordable Online Master’s in Web Design.