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Computer Software and Media Applications at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,234/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $564K $556K $503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 13.9x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.8x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,101
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,013
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $38,234/yr fall 18% below the $46,351 national median for Computer Software and Media Applications. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Software and Media Applications programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Software and Media Applications's typical career paths, with 70% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,101 represents roughly 6 months of the $38,234 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #24 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs, Purdue University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $38,234 to $54,013 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

With a 50% acceptance rate, Purdue University-Main Campus is moderately selective, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 55 schools offering Computer Software and Media Applications →

Computer Software and Media Applications at Other Schools

University of Southern California ($103,071) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($98,117) Western Governors University ($95,292) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($86,193) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($83,476) University of Phoenix-California ($83,476) University of Phoenix-Texas ($83,476) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885)

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Software and Media Applications trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Software and Media Applications at Purdue University-Main Campus?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Software and Media Applications field.
Will AI replace Computer Software and Media Applications careers?
With 70% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $502,780 in decade earnings vs $564,030 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Computer Software and Media Applications from Purdue University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →