Software Development at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Lakewood, CO · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,268/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI
6.0x earnings multiple
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 | $574K | $565K | $508K |
| Earnings Multiple | 6.1x | 6.0x | 5.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 80% | 71% | 41% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 45 | 44 | 47 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$94,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,598
47% growth from Year 1
About Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
a compact campus enrolling 1,878 students in Lakewood, CO. With 46% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design →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
Other Majors at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Software Development at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
At 44/100, 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design a good choice for Software Development despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →