Software Developmentat University of Wisconsin-Stout
Graduates earn $54,639/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $750K; scenarios range from $616K to $785K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Wisconsin-Stout
UW-Stout's strength comes from its identity as a polytechnic university, which means your education is intensely hands-on from day one. You won't just learn theory; you'll build a portfolio of real projects that employers can see and evaluate. This practical, career-focused approach gives you a distinct advantage. While Menomonie is a small town, the university has strong recruiting ties to the robust tech sector in nearby Minneapolis-St. Paul, home to major corporations like Target, Best Buy, and Medtronic. The "Media Applications" focus also prepares you for in-demand roles in UI/UX and front-end development that blend technical skill with creative design. To stand out against the rising tide of AI, your key action is to fully engage in the co-op and internship programs to build professional experience before you even graduate.
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 Wisconsin-Stout'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 Wisconsin-Stout stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Wisconsin-Stout, 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 Wisconsin-Stout
How does University of Wisconsin-Stout's Software Development program score?
A score of 77/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Wisconsin-Stout's Software Development graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Software Development to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Software Development careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 70% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.