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Computer & Information Sciences · Software Development Rank #55 of 55

Software Developmentat Atlantic University

Graduates earn $15,617/yr in their first year — about 66.0% below the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $314K; scenarios range from $362K to $289K depending on AI disruption.

Guaynabo, PR Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$15,617
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$314K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Atlantic University

While the career paths listed are high-paying national benchmarks, this program's outcomes reflect a different reality. The "Media Applications" focus likely emphasizes using existing software tools over the deep programming and systems architecture skills that lead to top-tier developer roles. Graduates are more likely prepared for entry-level digital media, web support, or IT helpdesk jobs within the local Puerto Rican economy, which doesn't command the same salaries as major US tech hubs. The curriculum may not provide the rigorous, engineering-focused training that recruiters from companies like Google or Microsoft seek. Your key takeaway should be to scrutinize the curriculum itself: talk to current students and recent alumni to understand what specific jobs they are actually getting, not just the ones the industry makes possible.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$362K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$314K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple9.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$289K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple8.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Atlantic University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Software Development graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
6
Database administrators
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 3,800 openings/yr
$104,620/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Software Development

How Atlantic University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
5.1x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
71
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
13.2x
ROI
Western Governors University
UT · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$95K
1-yr earn
27.7x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Top score
University of Phoenix-Arizona
AZ · Private for-profit
80
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
16.3x
ROI
Also at Atlantic University

Other top programs at Atlantic University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Atlantic University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Software Development trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Software Development at Atlantic University

How does Atlantic University's Software Development program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Software Development. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Software Development to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Software Development careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 70% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Software Development earnings lower at Atlantic University?

Lower starting pay at Atlantic University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.