Software Development at The New School

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
30
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,550/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #53 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs

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 $369K $384K $403K
Earnings Multiple 1.6x 1.7x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 30 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$225,544
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$221,436
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $29,550 per year, Software Development graduates from The New School earn below the $46,351 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 1.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Software Development's typical career paths, with 70% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,550 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #53 of 55 Software Development programs, The New School falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About The New School

The New School accepts 63% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,819 in New York, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at The New School →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 The New School?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Software Development. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $402,889 in decade earnings vs $369,044 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Software Development from The New School?
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 →