Home Schools Western Governors University Software Development
Computer & Information Sciences · Software Development Rank #6 of 55

Software Developmentat Western Governors University

Graduates earn $95,292/yr in their first year — about 106.0% above the national Software Development average. Base-case 10-year earnings $917K; scenarios range from $713K to $974K depending on AI disruption.

Salt Lake City, UT Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
76 STRONG
77
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$95,292
1-year post-graduation
ROI
27.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$917K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Governors University

WGU's strength lies in its unique, competency-based online model, which attracts a different kind of student: often, you're a working professional adding a degree to an existing resume. The high earnings reflect this; graduates aren't starting from zero but are leveraging this credential for a promotion or career change. The curriculum is laser-focused on job-ready skills and industry certifications that employers in tech hubs—from Utah's own "Silicon Slopes" to remote positions nationwide—value immediately. While the AI risk seems high, it targets routine coding tasks, not the complex problem-solving, architecture, and management skills this degree builds. Your key to success here is self-discipline. The flexible format requires you to be your own motivator, so create a rigid study schedule and stick to it as if you were attending a traditional campus.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$713K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple21.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$917K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple27.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$974K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple29.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Governors University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Software Development graduates typically work

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.

1
Computer and information systems managers
+15.2% 10-yr growth · 55,600 openings/yr
$171,200/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
6
Database administrators
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 3,800 openings/yr
$104,620/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Software Development

How Western Governors University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
5.1x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
71
DW Score
$98K
1-yr earn
13.2x
ROI
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
MA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Top score
University of Phoenix-Arizona
AZ · Private for-profit
80
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
16.3x
ROI
University of Phoenix-California
CA · Private for-profit
64
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
Also at Western Governors University

Other top programs at Western Governors University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Governors University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Software Development at Western Governors University

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Software Development at Western Governors University?

At 76/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Software Development at Western Governors University?

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 Western Governors University one of the best schools for Software Development?

Among 55 Software Development programs, Western Governors University's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.