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Software Development at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $86,193/yr (86% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #19 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 $891K $843K $670K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$173,092
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,656
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $86,193 put Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Software Development program 86% above the national median of $46,351 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 3.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $86,193 far exceeding the $24,656 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #19 out of 55 programs, Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Software Development offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

A 58% admission rate makes Worcester Polytechnic Institute accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 5,344 students in Worcester, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute →

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) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($83,476) University of Phoenix-California ($83,476) University of Phoenix-Texas ($83,476) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885) Rochester Institute of Technology ($69,052)

Other Majors at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Computer Science ($93,888) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,897) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering ($85,340) Chemical Engineering ($78,767) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($78,283) Mechanical Engineering ($78,182) Industrial Engineering ($77,994) Civil Engineering ($76,419)

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

How does Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Software Development program score?
This program scores 62/100, 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 →