Computer Systems Analysis
Types of Degrees Computer Systems Analysis Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many computer systems analysis graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 613 |
| Graduate Certificate | 155 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 4 |
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What Computer Systems Analysis Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to computer systems were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Computer Systems Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Skills for Computer Systems Majors
A major in computer systems prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities for Computer Systems Majors
As you progress with your computer systems degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
What Can You Do With a Computer Systems Analysis Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with computer systems:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Network Architects | 6.5% | $109,020 |
| Computer Network Support Specialists | 8.2% | $62,770 |
| Computer Science Professors | 8.1% | $82,220 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 9.1% | $88,740 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Computer Systems Analysis?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of computer systems majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 37 |
| Black or African American | 13 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 46 |
| White | 118 |
| International Students | 386 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 13 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Computer Systems. About 63.0% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- India
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Vietnam
- South Korea
How Much Do Computer Systems Analysis Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that computer systems analysis students who graduated in 2015-2017 with a master’s degree made a median starting salary of $75,950 per year. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $71,325 (25th percentile) and $79,500 (75th percentile).
It’s important to note that just because the people reporting these salaries have a degree in computer systems, it does not mean that they are working in a job related to their degree.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $68,050 to $96,200 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to computer systems. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Computer Systems Analysis
Some careers associated with computer systems require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to computer systems have obtained the following education levels.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 2.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 4.8% |
| Some College Courses | 6.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 6.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.3% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 2.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.4% |
Online Computer Systems Analysis Programs
In 2018-2019, 130 schools offered a computer systems program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 32 | 5 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 15 | 1 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 28 | 0 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8 | 3 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 32 | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 14 | 7 |
| Post-Master’s | 2 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 2 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Computer Systems Analysis Worth It?
The median salary for a computer systems grad is $93,610 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 135% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,074,200 after 20 years!
Majors Related to Computer Systems Analysis
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to computer systems.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Computer Information Systems | 76,482 |
| Computer Science | 47,906 |
| Information Technology | 33,399 |
| Information Science | 17,779 |
| Computer Systems Networking | 14,055 |
| Computer Software & Applications | 12,793 |
| Computer Programming | 10,688 |
| Data Processing | 2,138 |
| Data Entry | 1,382 |
| Other Computer & Information Sciences | 1,243 |
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Louv under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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