Human Computer Interaction: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 8 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$142,499 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$142,499Median year-4 earnings
$27,737Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$142,499Median reported earnings · year 4
$152,535Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
95thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
8With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $76,267
- Federal debt
- $21,121
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,107
- Federal debt
- $29,767
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $87,243
- Federal debt
- $27,125
- Reporting programs
- 5
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $142,499
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 8
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$115,320National median$142,49975th percentile$161,848
8 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
8 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →
See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus$176,1512University of California, Irvine$175,3073Bentley University$161,8484School of Visual Arts$157,3455Indiana University-Bloomington$127,6526DePaul University$118,0277Indiana University-Indianapolis$115,3208Full Sail University$53,230Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →24%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
Computer and Information Systems Managers$175,140 median wage670,570 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3021+15.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 53.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$107,550–$297,510 10th–90th percentileComputer and Information Research Scientists$140,300 median wage37,200 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1221+21.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$82,200–$230,630 10th–90th percentileComputer Occupations, All Other$116,580 median wage435,370 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1299+5.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 27k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$55,940–$188,470 10th–90th percentileWeb and Digital Interface Designers$104,000 median wage113,330 U.S. jobs · SOC 15-1255+6.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 8.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$53,750–$201,550 10th–90th percentileComputer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$96,980 median wage35,480 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1021+4.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$49,460–$170,200 10th–90th percentile
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusMaster's Degree | Seattle, WA | $176,151 | Not available | Baseline needed | $14,091 |
| 2 | University of California, IrvineMaster's Degree | Irvine, CA | $175,307 | Not available | Baseline needed | $14,251 |
| 3 | Bentley UniversityMaster's Degree | Waltham, MA | $161,848 | Not available | Baseline needed | $37,930 |
| 4 | School of Visual ArtsMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $157,345 | Not available | Baseline needed | $57,914 |
| 5 | Indiana University-BloomingtonMaster's Degree | Bloomington, IN | $127,652 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,264 |
| 6 | DePaul UniversityMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $118,027 | Not available | Baseline needed | $30,902 |
| 7 | Indiana University-IndianapolisMaster's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $115,320 | Not available | Baseline needed | $11,668 |
| 8 | Full Sail UniversityMaster's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $53,230 | Not available | Baseline needed | $38,875 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.