WhatGradsMake
Associate+29% vs national median85 grads tracked

Computer Programming at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 14th of 95 associate programs in Computer Programming by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$52,165
middle 50%: $33,598 – $71,512
Median · 5 years out
$73,958
middle 50%: $55,464 – $85,664
Median · 10 years out
$94,122
middle 50%: $70,870 – $107,201

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Computer Programming (associate) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Des Moines Area Community College's associate program in Computer Programming earn a median $52,165 one year after graduating, rising to $94,122 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 29% above the national median of $57,434 for this field, ranking 14th of 95 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
5.7 yrs
≈ $6,371 total interest

Same major at other universities

Austin Community College
$77,093 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$76,734 · 5 yrs out
Grayson College
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
College of Lake County
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
College Of DuPage
$75,704 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Central College
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Indian Hills Community College
$73,292 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University Southeast
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Brookhaven College
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Southern State University
$72,299 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
$72,156 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate)
$67,948 · 5 yrs out

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