Software Development at Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,101
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,013
41% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Software Development at Other Schools
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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 Software Development 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 Software Development field.
Will AI replace Software Development 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 Software Development 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 →