Compare 5 Human Computer Interaction. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $101,597. Top programs: $149,149+.
The highest-earning Human-Computer Interaction program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $79K earnings gap across 5 ranked programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Average earnings sit at $102K, but where you study within HCI matters far more than the name on your diploma.
California College of the Arts leads all ranked HCI programs with graduates earning $149K — nearly $36K above second-place Savannah College of Art and Design ($113K). Both are private art-focused institutions outperforming larger research universities on this specific metric. The average across all 5 programs is $102K, but that average masks a wide range driven by program quality, not school prestige. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
High earnings don't tell the whole story — debt burden matters. California College of the Arts graduates carry $27K in student loans and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' tier. When parent loans enter the picture, SCAD tells a cautionary tale: family debt reaches $125K with a 21.1% burden — firmly in 'Challenging' territory. The best value choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $149,149
Strong outcomes ($149,149) with 91% acceptance
2.9% payment burden | Excellent
6.4% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $149,149 | 22 | $27,000 | Excellent | $28,055 | Excellent | |
| #2 | $113,397 | 50 | $25,148 | Excellent | $99,784 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $92,632 | 21 | — | — | — | — | |
| #4 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $83,075 | 101 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #5 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $69,732 | 33 | — | — | — | — |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
