Software Development at College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,166/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI
8.1x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Software Development graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $412K | $421K | $425K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.9x | 8.1x | 8.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.8x | 2.9x | 2.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 80% | 71% | 41% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 40 | 39 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,912
Out-of-state: $147,432 (2.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,375
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
About College of Charleston
College of Charleston accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 10,366 students in Charleston, SC.
See all programs and financial aid at College of Charleston →Top Career Paths
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910/yr
Database architects
$135,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Software Development at Other Schools
Other Majors at College of Charleston
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does College of Charleston's Software Development program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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 College of Charleston?
Lower starting pay at College of Charleston may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →