Home Schools Johnson & Wales University-Providence Software Development
Computer & Information Sciences · Software Development Rank #54 of 55

Software Developmentat Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Graduates earn $32,735/yr in their first year — about 29.0% below the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $515K; scenarios range from $479K to $518K depending on AI disruption.

Providence, RI Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
31
Optimistic
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,735
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$515K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

While the career paths listed are high-paying tech roles, the earnings data suggests graduates from this specific program are not landing those elite software engineering jobs, at least not initially. Johnson & Wales is nationally known for hospitality and culinary arts, not for being a primary recruiting hub for major tech firms. This program's focus on "media applications" may also steer you toward lower-paying, tech-adjacent roles in digital marketing or content management rather than pure, high-demand software development. The Providence tech scene is growing but doesn't offer the same density of high-salary opportunities as nearby Boston.

Your key action: Scrutinize the curriculum. You must confirm it provides the rigorous, theory-heavy computer science and advanced mathematics foundation that top software development, architecture, and data roles require.

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
$479K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$518K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Johnson & Wales University-Providence'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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Other top programs at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, 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 Johnson & Wales University-Providence

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Software Development at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Software Development programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Software Development at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

The 70% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence a good choice for Software Development despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Johnson & Wales University-Providence's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.