Computer Systems Analysis: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 34 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What Computer Systems Analysis pays
Career outlook for Computer Systems Analysis graduates
The job market for the occupations Computer Systems Analysis graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer systems analysts | 521,100 | +8.7% | $103,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | 201,700 | +10.0% | $102,610 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer network architects | 179,200 | +11.9% | $130,390 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer network support specialists | 152,700 | +1.8% | $73,340 | Associate's degree |
| Database architects | 66,900 | +8.7% | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer science teachers, postsecondary | 44,800 | +5.3% | $96,690 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Computer Systems Analysis vs similar majors
How Computer Systems Analysis stacks up against the closest fields in Computer & Information Sciences on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Computer Systems Analysis Computer & Information Sciences · this major | Computer Science | Information Science/Studies | Computer and Information Sciences, General | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 80 A | 91 A | 86 A | 87 A |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $84,199 | $112,491 | $90,493 | $85,293 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $59,806 | $78,962 | $65,420 | $63,699 |
| ROI vs cost | +362% | +743% | +441% | +399% |
| Typical debt | $35,459 | $22,058 | $33,157 | $23,998 |
| Colleges offering it | 34 | 309 | 220 | 579 |
Computer Systems Analysis earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Computer Systems Analysis
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | Certificate | $118,505 | $20,500 | +2,085% | Strong return |
| 2 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI | Associate's | $85,259 | — | +1,768% | Strong return |
| 3 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL | Certificate | $127,236 | $24,256 | +1,610% | Strong return |
| 4 | Florida International University Miami, FL | Certificate | $128,418 | $35,500 | +1,565% | Strong return |
| 5 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL | Certificate | $109,811 | — | +1,548% | Strong return |
| 6 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN | Associate's | $110,382 | $20,041 | +1,500% | Strong return |
| 7 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud, MN | Associate's | $86,346 | — | +1,051% | Strong return |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI | Associate's | $85,427 | $20,250 | +1,039% | Strong return |
| 9 | University of Houston Houston, TX | Associate's | $87,354 | $24,154 | +1,034% | Strong return |
| 10 | University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ | Associate's | $74,529 | — | +992% | Strong return |
| 11 | Marshall University Huntington, WV | Associate's | $68,707 | $18,869 | +984% | Strong return |
| 12 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH | Certificate | $58,744 | — | +886% | Strong return |
| 13 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH | Associate's | $84,968 | $23,625 | +696% | Strong return |
| 14 | DeVry College of New York New York, NY | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +631% | Strong return |
| 15 | Howard University Washington, DC | Associate's | $118,399 | — | +626% | Strong return |
| 16 | DeVry University-Ohio Columbus, OH | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +357% | Strong return |
| 17 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX | Certificate | $133,925 | $95,275 | +349% | Strong return |
| 18 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS | Associate's | $62,233 | $18,951 | +348% | Strong return |
| 19 | DeVry University-New Jersey Iselin, NJ | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +336% | Strong return |
| 20 | DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, GA | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +315% | Strong return |
| 21 | DeVry University-Florida Orlando, FL | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +301% | Strong return |
| 22 | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +288% | Strong return |
| 23 | DeVry University-California Ontario, CA | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +260% | Strong return |
| 24 | DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, VA | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | +236% | Strong return |
| 25 | DeVry University-Texas Irving, TX | Associate's | $74,585 | $40,509 | — | Not enough data |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.