Are you thinking about getting into programming but don’t know what degree you need for coding? In this article, you’ll find the best majors for coding. The resource guide below can show you information on job outlook and satisfaction as well as tips on choosing the right college programs.
The best majors for coding offer a wide range of topics that’ll gear you for the tech industry. In this article, you’ll find out how to choose a major for coding and what degree for coding is the best fit to put you on the path to a successful coding career.
Why Choose a Career in Coding
There are many reasons why you should choose a career in coding. Any occupation that revolves around coding has higher than average salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a computer programmer has an average $89,190 annual salary.
One important reason why choosing a coding career is a good idea is because you can become a programmer without a formal education. You can finish a coding bootcamp or online course and go on to become an application developer, software engineer, or database management analyst.
Coding Job Outlook
Coding is present in the computer and information technology sector. It’s the process of writing code using a general-purpose programming language. According to BLS, the career outlook for computer and information technology professions has a projected job growth of 13 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Coding Job Satisfaction
According to Glassdoor, a computer programmer has average job satisfaction. The work-life balance score is 3.8, the compensation and benefits score is 3.5, and the career opportunity score is 3.7. The rating scale used measures from zero to five, which means that in all categories computer programmers show average satisfaction.
Coding Salary Potential
| Career | Minimum Level of Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developer | Bachelor’s Degree | $108,970 |
| Systems Software Developer | Bachelor’s Degree | $108,374 |
| Computer Programmer | Bachelor’s Degree | $65,142 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | Bachelor’s Degree | $60,716 |
| Web Developer | Bachelor’s Degree | $55,233 |
How to Choose a Major for Coding: Tips for Selecting the Right Coding Degree
Tip 1: Do Thorough Research
The first step you can do is to conduct thorough school search. You can explore the specialties in the coding and programming degrees offered at universities. Check the school rankings and see which colleges have the best computer science programs. Also, see if there are any partner programs for various tech companies or startups.
Tip 2: Talk to a Mentor
One of the best ways to find more information about majors is to talk to mentors from colleges and universities. Mentors can help with the foundational knowledge that you need to prepare you for the job market.
Tip 3: Enroll in Free Coding Bootcamp Prep Programs
You can learn the basics of coding in a free coding bootcamp. These prep coding bootcamps are the best choice for a student to learn how to code. In a bootcamp, you’ll learn in-demand tech skills to become a job-ready individual.
Tip 4: Enroll in Online Coding Classes for Beginners
There are various free online coding classes for beginners. These are similar to coding bootcamps wherein you’ll learn the fundamentals of coding. You can learn more about what programmers and coders actually do and have a better understanding of the IT field.
Tip 5: Talk to Professionals
You can talk to professionals in the respective fields that you want to join. For example, if you want a career in game development, then you should talk to game and level designers. You can find a vast majority of like-minded people on social platforms like LinkedIn.
What Degree for Coding: Best Majors for a Coding Career
Computer Information Systems
The most popular major for coding is computer information systems. According to the College Factual, it’s the 10th most popular major with 81,384 degrees awarded for the 2019-2020 academic year. Students in this field can learn about practical knowledge in information technologies like systems analysis, programming, and cyber security.
Some of the best schools for computer information systems are the University of California – Berkeley, Cornell University, and the University of Florida. According to ZipRecruiter, careers in computer information systems can earn an average annual salary of $67,705. The salary potential for this field is from $41,500 to $113,500 per year.
- Associated Career Paths: Software Applications Developers, Computer Systems Analysts, and Systems Software Developers
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
Computer Science
According to College Factual, 53,722 computer science degrees have been awarded this year alone. The computer science major offers some of the most valuable specialties in the IT field and it’s the 19th most popular major. College students in this field can learn about designing software or computer systems and solve problems using computing technologies.
Some of the best computer science schools are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California – Berkeley. According to ZipRecruiter, careers in computer science can earn an average annual salary of $101,999. Computer scientists can earn from $83,000 to $138,000 per year.
- Associated Career Paths: Software Applications Developers, Systems Software Developers, and Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
Information Technology
The information technology major is the 46th most popular major. Students in this field can learn about business, communications, and computer science. According to College Factual, 38,958 information technology degrees have been awarded over the prior year’s total.
Some of the best information technology schools nationwide are Carnegie Mellon University, Northeastern University, and Illinois State University. According to ZipRecruiter, careers in the information technology field can earn an average annual salary of $55,311. The salary potential in this field is from $35,000 to $94,500 per year.
- Associated Career Paths: Database Administrator, Computer User Support Specialists, and Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
Information Science
The information science major is the 56th most popular major. According to College Factual, there were 18,368 information science degrees awarded from 2019 to 2020. Students in this field can learn how to analyze and implement data, as well as how to manage and lead people.
Some of the best information science schools are the University of California – Berkeley, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Texas at Austin. According to ZipRecruiter, careers in the information scientist field can earn an average annual salary of $91,485. The salary potential for information scientists is from $75,500 to $131,000 per year.
- Associated Career Paths: Systems Software Developers, Computer and Information Systems Managers, and Computer Programmer
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
Computer Software & Applications
The computer software and applications major is the 90th most popular major. Campus students can learn about design, editing, and publishing products and learn to use HTML, XML, and JavaScript. According to College Factual, 13,180 computer software and applications degrees have been awarded over the prior year.
Some of the best computer software and applications schools in the US are the Wellesley College, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California – Irvine. According to ZipRecruiter, careers in computer software and applications can earn an average annual salary of $85,766. People in this field can earn from $63,000 to $133,500 per year.
- Associated Career Paths: Web Designers, Computer Programmers, and Web Developers
- Levels of Education: Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
Other Coding Related Majors
There are other coding-related majors to choose from. It’s important to choose the right major to provide the proper knowledge. There are many related majors in the coding field of study.
- General Computer Programming
- Software Engineering
- Software Design
- App-Specific Computer Programming
- Computer Game Programming
- Computer Systems Networking
- Computer Systems Analysis
- Data Processing
- Data Entry
- Computer and Information Sciences
Is a Career in Coding Right for Me?
Yes, a career in coding is right for you if you’re willing to invest time and effort in solving logical problems and performing various software engineering projects. You need to have strong analytical, logical, and problem-solving skills. For example, software engineers need to be able to analyze complex technical information and be excellent problem solvers.
You also need to keep in mind that it’s challenging to learn coding and programming skills. The growth rate in the IT field is huge, so choosing a career in programming is a smart choice. If you want to dive deep and understand the basics, then a good idea is to visit a beginner bootcamp or an online coding class.
Best Major for Coding FAQ
According to the 2021 Stackoverflow developer survey, the most popular programming language in the world is JavaScript with 65 percent. This is followed by HTML with 56 percent, and Python in third place with 48 percent usage among developers and programmers.
It depends on what you seek because both offer different benefits. A college offers the traditional way of learning. You have many science degree programs to choose from, but it’s more expensive than a bootcamp. Bootcamps on the other hand offer hands-on programming experience, flexible schedules, and more concise curricula.
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Yes, you need to know math in order to become a coding professional. Programmers must have good proficiency in math and logical reasoning. It’s important to have a good understanding of key mathematical principles.
No, you don’t need a coding degree to become a programmer. It’s preferable but you can become a programmer without a programming degree. You can be self-thought or go on coding online programs to develop strong skills for the field that you want to get into.
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