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Software Development at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
68
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,018/yr (34% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs Top 25%

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 $668K $647K $556K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.2x 16.7x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.9x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 68 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $81,968 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,724
-69% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $62,018 put University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Software Development program 34% above the national median of $46,351 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Software Development programs nationally.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At #11 of 55 nationally, this is a top-5% Software Development program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Colorado Springs accepts 97% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,870 in Colorado Springs, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs →

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

Compare this program → View all 55 schools offering Software Development →

Software Development at Other Schools

University of Southern California ($103,071) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($98,117) Western Governors University ($95,292) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($86,193) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($83,476) University of Phoenix-California ($83,476) University of Phoenix-Texas ($83,476) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885)

Other Majors at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Computer Engineering ($82,084) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,513) Computer Science ($77,761) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,864) Mechanical Engineering ($70,440) Economics ($46,748) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,326) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($42,199)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Software Development trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Software Development field.
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 $556,067 in decade earnings vs $668,046 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Software Development program stand out?
Ranked #11 of 55 programs nationally, University of Colorado Colorado Springs lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →