Software Development at Wilmington University

New Castle, DE · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
58
Optimistic
56
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,211/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #22 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs Top 50%

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 $477K $479K $458K
Earnings Multiple 9.7x 9.7x 9.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 56 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$49,320
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,420
-25% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,516
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,214
2% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,211/yr, Software Development graduates from Wilmington University land near the $46,351 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $16,516 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #22 out of 55 programs, Wilmington University's Software Development offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $46,211 to $47,214 over five years (2% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Wilmington University

enrolling 8,497 students in New Castle, DE.

See all programs and financial aid at Wilmington University →

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

Software Development at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wilmington University's Software Development program score?
This program scores 56/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Software Development graduates.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →