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Computer & Information Sciences · Software Development Rank #8 of 55

Software Developmentat Florida Polytechnic University

Graduates earn $61,197/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $640K; scenarios range from $552K to $660K depending on AI disruption.

Lakeland, FL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$61,197
1-year post-graduation
ROI
30.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$640K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Polytechnic's unique, all-STEM focus means your entire experience is geared toward one thing: launching a high-impact tech career. The curriculum isn't a traditional computer science track diluted by other university requirements; it’s a hands-on, project-based immersion from day one. This structure produces graduates who can immediately contribute, making them highly sought after in Central Florida's booming I-4 corridor. You'll find strong recruiting pipelines into the defense, simulation, and enterprise software sectors in Orlando and Tampa, with major employers actively seeking this specific talent.

While AI will automate routine coding tasks, your value will come from architecture, creative problem-solving, and systems thinking. Therefore, your key move is to aggressively pursue internships. The practical experience will be essential for proving you can tackle the complex, human-driven challenges that automation can’t solve.

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
$552K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple27.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$640K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple32.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$660K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple33.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Florida Polytechnic 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 Florida Polytechnic 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 Florida Polytechnic University

Other top programs at Florida Polytechnic University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Florida Polytechnic 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 Florida Polytechnic University

How does Florida Polytechnic University's Software Development program score?

A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Florida Polytechnic University's Software Development graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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 does Florida Polytechnic University rank so high for Software Development?

The #8 ranking out of 55 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.