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Computer Software and Media Applications Degree

55 schools compared · Average earnings $46,352/yr

Students study software development for multimedia applications, including web development, mobile apps, game design, and digital media tools. Graduates typically pursue careers as application developers, web developers, UX/UI developers, and multimedia software engineers. This major blends programming skills with creative media applications for the growing digital content industry.

What Computer Software and Media Applications Graduates Do

Your degree in Computer Software and Media Applications places you at the intersection of technology and creativity. In your first role, you might be a software developer, spending your days in team meetings to plan new app features before diving into the code, hunting for bugs, and testing your work. Alternatively, you could be a web and digital interface designer, sketching user flows on a whiteboard, building interactive prototypes in Figma, and running user tests to refine a website’s usability.

With experience, you can advance to senior technical roles or transition into management, overseeing entire tech departments and budgets. Fields like data science and software development are seeing explosive growth, but be aware that more traditional computer programming jobs are declining. AI is the driving force behind this shift. With high exposure across these careers, AI is automating the routine coding and design tasks that juniors once performed. This makes entry-level jobs more competitive. Your long-term value will not be in simple execution, but in architecting systems, critically evaluating AI output, and making strategic decisions.

Schools Offering

Avg Grad Earnings

$46,352/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

52/100

AI Automation Risk

Very High

61% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Computer Software and Media Applications graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 262,500 combined openings per year.

Career Path	Salary Range	Openings/yr	Growth	AI Risk
Computer and information systems managers	$171,200 $134K$216K	55,600	+15.2%	53%
Computer and information research scientists	$140,910 $103K$181K	3,200	+19.7%	63%
Database architects	$135,980 $108K$169K	4,000	+8.7%	94%
Software developers	$133,080 $103K$169K	115,200	+15.8%	87%
Data scientists	$112,590 $83K$156K	23,400	+33.5%	64%
Database administrators	$104,620 $76K$133K	3,800	-0.7%	94%
Special effects artists and animators	$99,800 $73K$136K	5,000	+1.6%	52%
Computer programmers	$98,670 $72K$129K	5,500	-6.0%	95%
Web and digital interface designers	$98,090 $65K$142K	9,100	+7.0%	67%
Computer science teachers, postsecondary	$96,690 $65K$132K	3,500	+5.3%	51%
Web developers	$90,930 $63K$124K	5,400	+7.5%	93%
Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary	$61,490 $48K$80K	8,800	+0.7%	49%
Graphic designers	$61,300 $47K$79K	20,000	+2.1%	50%

Computer and information systems managers

$171,200

$134K $216K

55,600 openings/yr +15.2% growth 53% AI risk

Computer and information research scientists

$140,910

$103K $181K

3,200 openings/yr +19.7% growth 63% AI risk

Database architects

$135,980

$108K $169K

4,000 openings/yr +8.7% growth 94% AI risk

Software developers

$133,080

$103K $169K

115,200 openings/yr +15.8% growth 87% AI risk

Data scientists

$112,590

$83K $156K

23,400 openings/yr +33.5% growth 64% AI risk

Database administrators

$104,620

$76K $133K

3,800 openings/yr -0.7% growth 94% AI risk

Special effects artists and animators

$99,800

$73K $136K

5,000 openings/yr +1.6% growth 52% AI risk

Computer programmers

$98,670

$72K $129K

5,500 openings/yr -6.0% growth 95% AI risk

Web and digital interface designers

$98,090

$65K $142K

9,100 openings/yr +7.0% growth 67% AI risk

Computer science teachers, postsecondary

$96,690

$65K $132K

3,500 openings/yr +5.3% growth 51% AI risk

Web developers

$90,930

$63K $124K

5,400 openings/yr +7.5% growth 93% AI risk

Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary

$61,490

$48K $80K

8,800 openings/yr +0.7% growth 49% AI risk

Graphic designers

$61,300

$47K $79K

20,000 openings/yr +2.1% growth 50% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Computer Software and Media Applications

Top 20 of 55 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

#	School	DW Score	Earnings	ROI
1	University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ	80 73–81	$83,476/yr	16.3x
2	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID	79 73–80	$49,581/yr	45.0x
3	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA	77 71–78	$103,071/yr	5.1x
4	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI	77 71–79	$54,639/yr	18.5x
5	Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT	76 70–77	$95,292/yr	27.7x
6	Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO	76 70–77	$51,790/yr	17.9x
7	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI	73 67–75	$50,796/yr	17.8x
8	Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, FL	72 65–73	$61,197/yr	30.0x
9	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI	71 66–73	$98,117/yr	13.2x
10	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY	70 64–71	$69,052/yr	3.4x
11	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO	68 62–70	$62,018/yr	15.0x
12	Baker College Owosso, MI	68 67–70	$41,784/yr	15.8x
13	University of Phoenix-California Ontario, CA	64 57–65	$83,476/yr	—
14	University of Phoenix-Texas Dallas, TX	64 57–65	$83,476/yr	—
15	DePaul University Chicago, IL	64 58–66	$54,859/yr	3.5x
16	DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA	63 57–65	$81,885/yr	4.5x
17	Champlain College Burlington, VT	63 57–64	$52,260/yr	3.3x
18	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA	62 55–63	$86,193/yr	2.6x
19	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	62 57–64	$47,112/yr	10.0x
20	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA	62 57–64	$47,112/yr	10.1x
21	Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA	62 58–64	$45,387/yr	6.0x
22	Wilmington University New Castle, DE	56 52–58	$46,211/yr	8.6x
23	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	54 51–56	$44,645/yr	7.2x
24	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN	54 56–55	$38,234/yr	12.5x
25	Utah Valley University Orem, UT	53 59–54	$32,743/yr	21.8x
26	Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA	52 49–53	$43,144/yr	5.0x
27	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH	49 48–50	$40,882/yr	5.2x
28	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX	49 54–50	$35,991/yr	10.1x
29	University of Houston Houston, TX	49 55–50	$33,997/yr	13.3x
30	New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RI	47 51–48	$36,893/yr	4.0x
31	New York University New York, NY	46 44–48	$42,891/yr	0.8x
32	Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA	46 44–47	$41,394/yr	2.2x
33	Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO	44 47–45	$37,268/yr	4.8x
34	School of Visual Arts New York, NY	43 47–44	$36,272/yr	2.6x
35	University of Silicon Valley San Jose, CA	42 45–43	$37,693/yr	3.2x
36	University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT	40 46–41	$33,508/yr	8.0x
37	Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA	40 46–42	$29,046/yr	12.1x
38	Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO	39 44–40	$34,433/yr	5.0x
39	College of Charleston Charleston, SC	39 45–40	$34,166/yr	5.6x
40	Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence, RI	39 45–40	$32,735/yr	8.0x
41	Dakota State University Madison, SD	36 40–38	$26,379/yr	9.7x
42	DeVry University-Arizona Phoenix, AZ	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
43	DeVry University-California Ontario, CA	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
44	DeVry University-Florida Orlando, FL	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
45	DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, GA	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
46	DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
47	DeVry University-New Jersey Iselin, NJ	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
48	DeVry University-Ohio Columbus, OH	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
49	DeVry University-Texas Irving, TX	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
50	DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, VA	35 41–36	$32,159/yr	5.4x
51	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN	35 35–37	$21,532/yr	5.4x
52	Berklee College of Music Boston, MA	35 33–36	$19,370/yr	-0.0x
53	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI	30 36–31	$32,735/yr	2.0x
54	The New School New York, NY	30 36–32	$29,550/yr	0.3x
55	Atlantic University Guaynabo, PR	30 27–32	$15,617/yr	5.7x

Highest Earning Computer Software and Media Applications Programs

Schools where Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	DW Score
University of Southern California	$103,071/yr	77
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	$98,117/yr	71
Western Governors University	$95,292/yr	76
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	$86,193/yr	62
University of Phoenix-Arizona	$83,476/yr	80
University of Phoenix-California	$83,476/yr	64
University of Phoenix-Texas	$83,476/yr	64
DigiPen Institute of Technology	$81,885/yr	63
Rochester Institute of Technology	$69,052/yr	70
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	$62,018/yr	68

Best ROI for Computer Software and Media Applications

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Software and Media Applications.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	DW Score
Brigham Young University-Idaho	45.0x	$49,581/yr	79
Florida Polytechnic University	30.0x	$61,197/yr	72
Western Governors University	27.7x	$95,292/yr	76
Utah Valley University	21.8x	$32,743/yr	53
University of Wisconsin-Stout	18.5x	$54,639/yr	77
Northwest Missouri State University	17.9x	$51,790/yr	76
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	17.8x	$50,796/yr	73
University of Phoenix-Arizona	16.3x	$83,476/yr	80
Baker College	15.8x	$41,784/yr	68
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	15.0x	$62,018/yr	68

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Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Software and Media Applications offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn?

Across 55 schools, Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn an average of $46,352 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $15,617 to $103,071 depending on the school.

What is the AI automation risk for Computer Software and Media Applications?

Computer Software and Media Applications is rated "Very High" for AI automation risk, with an average of 61% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means most career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.

Which school has the best Computer Software and Media Applications program?

Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), University of Phoenix-Arizona ranks #1 for Computer Software and Media Applications with a score of 80/100 and graduate earnings of $83,476/yr.

What's the outlook for a Computer Software and Media Applications degree?

On average, Computer Software and Media Applications graduates earn 9.0x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →