Software Developmentat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $98,117/yr in their first year — about 112.0% above the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $940K; scenarios range from $726K to $1,000K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
The University of Michigan's brand opens doors far beyond the Midwest. Your strong earning potential isn't just about the curriculum; it's about the university's powerhouse reputation and vast recruiting pipeline. Tech giants from Silicon Valley and Seattle, financial firms from New York, and the resurgent automotive tech sector in nearby Detroit all actively recruit on campus. This means you'll have direct access to opportunities at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Ford. The "Media Applications" focus also positions you well for roles in UI/UX, gaming, and creative tech, which are less about pure code and more about human-computer interaction. While the AI risk seems high, your training here is in problem-solving, not just coding. Your key piece of advice: leverage the university's career fairs and alumni network aggressively from day one—your most valuable asset is the "M" on your resume.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Software Development
How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 →Frequently asked about Software Development at University of Michigan
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Software Development at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Software Development nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $726,373 in decade earnings vs $1,000,489 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Software Development program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 55 programs nationally, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.