Software Developmentat Eastern Washington University
Graduates earn $29,046/yr in their first year — about 37.0% below the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $486K; scenarios range from $462K to $485K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Eastern Washington University
While the career paths listed represent the high end of the tech industry, your initial journey from this program may look different. The Spokane-area tech scene is dominated by regional businesses, government contractors, and smaller software firms rather than the global tech giants concentrated in Seattle. This means your first job is more likely to be with a local company where starting salaries are modest, directly impacting the early-career earnings data you see.
The program's focus on "Media Applications" also suggests a curriculum that blends creative skills with coding, which can lead to roles in web development, digital marketing, or UI design at smaller agencies. To reach those top-tier software engineering roles, your key action is to aggressively pursue internships. A summer spent at a larger company in Seattle or Bellevue can provide the resume credibility and network needed to bypass the local market's salary limitations upon graduation.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Eastern Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Software Development
How Eastern Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Eastern Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Eastern Washington 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 →Frequently asked about Software Development at Eastern Washington University
How does Eastern Washington University's Software Development program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 Eastern Washington University?
Lower starting pay at Eastern Washington University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.