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Computer Systems Analysis

Instructional content is defined in code 11.0501.

Types of Degrees Computer Systems Analysis Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Computer Systems Analysis have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	14
Associate’s Degree	133
Bachelor’s Degree	947
Master’s Degree	1,933
Doctor’s Degree	2

What Computer Systems Analysis Majors Need to Know

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

Knowledge Areas

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

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.6 / 5; level 6.0 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Education and Training — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 5.1 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.

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

Skills

Skills built by a Computer Systems Analysis program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Writing — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.

Abilities

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

• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.5 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.

Common Job Activities

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

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Working with Computers	4.7 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.5 / 7
Getting Information	4.4 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.3 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	4.3 / 7
Processing Information	4.2 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.2 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.1 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7
Training and Teaching Others	3.9 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

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

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
UNIX	Operating system software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Python	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	✓
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	✓
Microsoft Access	Data base user interface and query software	✓
Linux	Operating system software	✓
Oracle Java	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Operating system software	Operating system software	✓
Microsoft Visual Basic	Development environment software	—

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

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Systems Analysis graduates include:

• Java Programming Professor
• Network Technology Instructor
• University Faculty Member
• Computer Information Systems Professor (CIS Professor)
• Computer Science Teacher
• Computer Science Assistant Professor
• College Professor
• Computer Science Professor
• College Faculty Member
• C++ Professor
• Computer Science Adjunct Professor
• Information Technology Instructor (IT Instructor)
• Professor
• IT Adjunct Faculty Member (Information Technology Adjunct Faculty Member)
• Information Technology Professor (IT Professor)

Education Typically Required

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

Education Level	Share of Workers
Master’s degree	30.2%
Bachelor’s degree	30.0%
Doctoral degree	19.0%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	7.9%
Postsecondary certificate	4.9%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	3.1%
Some college courses	2.8%
High school diploma or equivalent	1.0%
Post-master’s certificate	0.7%
First professional degree	0.3%
Less than a high school diploma	0.2%

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

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Systems Analysis?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 68.3% of Computer Systems Analysis degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	963	31.7%
Men	2,071	68.3%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

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

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	806	26.6%
Asian	290	9.6%
Hispanic or Latino	443	14.6%
Black or African American	209	6.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	5	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	2	0.1%
Two or More Races	84	2.8%
Race Unknown	75	2.5%
International Students	1,120	36.9%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Systems Analysis Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Computer Systems Analysis 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	$53,073
4 years	$65,915
5 years	$75,229

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $75,229 — roughly 42% above the 1-year mark.

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

Online Computer Systems Analysis Programs

Online study is reported by IPEDS for Computer Systems Analysis. 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	6	4
Bachelor’s	6	8
Master’s	4	0

^{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 Analysis Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Computer Systems Analysis graduates earn a median of $65,915 four years after completion — roughly 73% 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 Information Sciences	332,216
Computer and Information Sciences, General	118,381
Computer Science	79,857
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management	57,935
Information Science/Studies	22,425
Computer Software and Media Applications	15,581
Computer Programming	15,336
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications	15,034
Data Processing	2,131
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other	2,066
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications	436
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES	—

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.