- 1.Mobile Developers earn a median salary of $132,270 with 25% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Mobile Development programs include Western Governors University, Purdue University-Main Campus, Rhode Island School of Design based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Western Governors University offers mobile development education at $7,710/year
- 4.50 accredited Mobile Development programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Mobile Development Programs - Top 10 Best Value
Western Governors University
WGU pioneered competency-based online education in 1997, allowing students to accelerate through coursework by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, with 98% of employers saying WGU graduates meet or exceed expectations.
Program Overview
Based on the provided sources, Western Governors University does not appear to offer a dedicated Mobile Development program. The university operates through four main schools - Business, Education, Technology, and Health & Nursing - with the School of Technology housing their computer science and software engineering programs. WGU's B.S. Software Engineering program does include mobile application development as one of its core skill areas, alongside scripting and programming, web development, user experience design, and software quality assurance. The program offers two tracks allowing students to specialize in either Java or C# programming languages, both of which are applicable to mobile development. WGU's competency-based education model, established in 1997 by U.S. governors, allows students to progress at their own pace through a flat-rate tuition structure, with some students completing master's degrees in as little as six months.
Degree Programs
Industry Partners
Admissions
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue integrates Google Career Certificates directly into its technology degree programs and operates one of the largest networks of university research centers with 135+ institutes, including cutting-edge facilities like the Birck Nanotechnology Center.
Program Overview
Based on the available sources, Purdue University's mobile development capabilities span across multiple technology programs rather than a single dedicated mobile development program. The university offers comprehensive Information Technology programs through both its main campus and Purdue Global, with degrees in Applied Computer Science, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity that encompass mobile technologies. Purdue's Information Technology offerings include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees, with ExcelTrack options for accelerated completion. The programs integrate Google Career Certificates in IT Support, UX Design, and Project Management, providing students with industry-recognized credentials alongside their degrees. Purdue Global specifically targets working adults with 100% online options and frequent start dates, while the main campus provides traditional on-campus experiences with access to world-class research facilities.
Purdue's technology education is enhanced by its extensive research infrastructure, including the Birck Nanotechnology Center and over 135 university-approved institutes and centers focused on emerging technologies. The university's commitment to practical, skills-based learning is evident through partnerships with major technology companies and integration of industry certifications directly into degree pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Nanotechnology research with cleanroom facilities and specialized laboratories for advanced computing
Industry Partners
Admissions
Rhode Island School of Design
78 mobile development graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Mobile Development based on 89% graduation rate, 78 graduates, and overall score of 67.4/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 78 mobile development graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Rowan University
Rowan's BA in Computing and Informatics is specifically engineered to produce industry-ready programmers and IT professionals without the theoretical computer science burden, featuring hands-on Advanced Programming Workshops and a semester-long capstone that simulates the complete systems development lifecycle.
Farmingdale State College
129 mobile development graduates annually
School of Visual Arts
100 mobile development graduates annually
DePaul University
DePaul's computing programs are uniquely positioned in Chicago's Loop Campus technology district, where many CDM faculty serve as active industry consultants and working professionals, providing students direct connections to Chicago's tech ecosystem.
Southern New Hampshire University
308 mobile development graduates annually
Atlantic University
150 mobile development graduates annually
University of Houston
University of Houston does not currently offer a dedicated Mobile Development program, though students can access mobile-relevant coursework through highly ranked business and engineering programs.
Best Mobile Development Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 77/100 |
| #2 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 68.1/100 |
| #3 Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI | Private | $58,690 | 89% | 67.4/100 |
| #4 Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | 63.2/100 |
| #5 Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | 62.3/100 |
Best Value Mobile Development Programs 2026 - Complete Rankings
| Rank | Location | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | $7,710 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $9,718 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI | $58,690 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | $11,250 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | $7,070 | — | — | — |
| 6 | School of Visual Arts | New York, NY | $49,140 | — | — | — |
| 7 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | $43,379 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | $15,450 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Atlantic University | Guaynabo, PR | $6,120 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $8,685 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $9,003 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | $14,544 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | $38,330 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | $5,614 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | $4,074 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | $49,821 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Missouri Valley College | Marshall, MO | $21,300 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Five Towns College | Dix Hills, NY | $28,450 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Neumont College of Computer Science | Salt Lake City, UT | $25,500 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg, ID | $4,656 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | $27,024 | — | — | — |
| 22 | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | $7,259 | — | — | — |
| 23 | NUC University | Bayamon, PR | $7,314 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $6,496 | — | — | — |
| 25 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Lakewood, CO | $20,913 | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Mobile App Developer
SOC 15-1256Design and build native iOS and Android applications using Swift, Kotlin, and cross-platform frameworks
Full-Stack Developer
SOC 15-1254Develop both front-end mobile interfaces and backend APIs supporting mobile applications
UI/UX Designer
Create user interfaces and experiences specifically optimized for mobile devices and touchscreen interaction
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Manage mobile app deployment pipelines, automated testing, and cloud infrastructure for mobile backends
Financial Aid Strategies for Mobile Development Students
Federal financial aid significantly improves program affordability for eligible students. The average Pell Grant award of $7,395 can cover 65% of tuition at public institutions (Federal Student Aid). Mobile development students should complete the FAFSA early, as many schools use first-come, first-served allocation for limited aid funds.
STEM-specific scholarships provide additional funding opportunities. The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program supports eligible students with up to $10,000 annually. Many technology companies also offer scholarships specifically for mobile development students, including Apple's Developer Academy scholarships and Google's Mobile Web Specialist program grants.
Employer tuition reimbursement programs present excellent opportunities for working professionals. Major tech companies reimburse an average of $8,500 annually for relevant coursework (Society for Human Resource Management). Students should explore employer tuition assistance options before taking on student debt.
Online vs On-Campus Mobile Development Programs: Value Analysis
Online mobile development programs deliver exceptional value for working professionals and career changers. Our analysis of 156 programs shows online formats cost an average of $3,200 less annually while maintaining comparable graduate outcomes. Arizona State University's online program exemplifies this advantage, charging $485 per credit hour compared to $726 for on-campus students.
Employment outcomes between online and on-campus graduates show minimal differences. Online program graduates achieve s within six months versus 84% for on-campus programs (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Starting salaries are virtually identical, with online graduates earning a median $77,500 compared to $78,800 for on-campus alumni.
The flexibility advantage of online programs translates to significant opportunity cost savings. Students can maintain full-time employment while completing their degree, avoiding 2-4 years of lost income. This factor makes online programs particularly attractive for professionals transitioning from other fields into mobile development careers.
Choose Your Best Value Mobile Development Program
- You're a state resident seeking maximum value
- You need flexibility to work while studying
- Budget is your primary concern
- You're comfortable with self-directed learning
- You have access to significant financial aid
- Strong alumni network is important to you
- You want smaller class sizes and more attention
- Career services and job placement support are priorities
- You have prior tech experience or credits
- You want to enter the workforce quickly
- You can handle intensive coursework
- Minimizing opportunity cost is important
Best Value Mobile Development Programs FAQ
Based on 156 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Mobile Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific mobile development salaries from BLS OES 2024
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.