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Computer Systems Technology

Types of Degrees Computer Systems Technology Majors Are Earning

Those studying Computer Systems Technology have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	139
Associate’s Degree	385
Bachelor’s Degree	110
Master’s Degree	557
Doctor’s Degree	2

What Computer Systems Technology Majors Need to Know

Studies in Computer Systems Technology emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Systems Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Computer Systems Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Computer Systems Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Computer Systems Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Systems Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.4 / 7
Working with Computers	4.4 / 7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	4.2 / 7
Documenting/Recording Information	4.1 / 7
Processing Information	4.1 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.1 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.1 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	3.9 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Systems Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
National Instruments LabVIEW	Development environment software	—
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
SAP software	Enterprise resource planning ERP software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
The MathWorks MATLAB	Analytical or scientific software	—
Microsoft Project	Project management software	—
Operating system software	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Systems Technology graduates include:

• Test Technician (Test Tech)
• Laser Specialist
• Engineering Assistant
• Technician
• Test Technician
• Fiber Optics Instructor
• Installation Technician (Installation Tech)
• Optical Manufacturing Technician (Optical Manufacturing Tech)
• Healthcare Laser Technician (Healthcare Laser Tech)
• Laser Scanners Technician (Laser Scanners Tech)
• Photonics Laboratory Technician (Photonics Lab Tech)
• Optical Engineering Technician (Optical Engineering Tech)
• Medical Laser Technician (Medical Laser Tech)
• Fiber Optics Assembler
• Optics Technician (Optics Tech)

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Systems Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	33.0%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	25.7%
Bachelor’s degree	22.3%
Postsecondary certificate	7.5%
Some college courses	7.4%
Master’s degree	2.5%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	1.5%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Systems Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 79.1% of Computer Systems Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	266	20.9%
Men	1,006	79.1%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Computer Systems Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	489	38.4%
Asian	111	8.7%
Hispanic or Latino	239	18.8%
Black or African American	199	15.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	13	1.0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	6	0.5%
Two or More Races	80	6.3%
Race Unknown	21	1.7%
International Students	114	9.0%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Systems Technology Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Computer Systems Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,769
4 years	$47,945
5 years	$55,101

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $55,101 — roughly 63% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Online Computer Systems Technology Programs

Distance learning are documented by IPEDS for Computer Systems Technology. The table below shows how many graduates earned at least some of their coursework online (Distance-Ed Available) versus completing the entire program online (Distance-Ed Only).

Award Level	Distance-Ed Available	Distance-Ed Only
Associate’s	7	3
Bachelor’s	1	1

^{Distance-Ed Only = degrees completed entirely online; Distance-Ed Available = degrees including at least some online coursework. Source: IPEDS Completions by Distance Education status.}

Is a Degree in Computer Systems Technology Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Computer Systems Technology graduates earn a median of $47,945 four years after completion — roughly 26% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians	3,275
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians	1,557
Biomedical Technology/Technician	1,460
Automation Engineer Technology/Technician	1,364
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician	1,215
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other	492
Computer Software Technology/Technician	278
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians	113
Composite Materials Technology/Technician	108
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician	76
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician	63
Computer Hardware Technology/Technician	18

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.