Best Schools for Software Development in 2026
55 schools ranked by DegreeWorth Score · Updated 2026
These are the top schools offering Software Development, ranked by DegreeWorth Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Software Development graduate earns $46,352/yr across 55 schools.
Programs Ranked
55
Avg Earnings
$46,352/yr
Avg DW Score
62/100
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
All Software Development Programs Ranked
Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Software Development
Western Governors University · Salt Lake City, UT |
88
78–90 |
$95,292/yr | Very High | 27.7x |
| 2 |
Software Development
Florida Polytechnic University · Lakeland, FL |
83
74–86 |
$61,197/yr | Very High | 30.0x |
| 3 |
Software Development
University of Phoenix-Arizona · Phoenix, AZ |
86
77–88 |
$83,476/yr | Very High | 16.3x |
| 4 |
Software Development
Brigham Young University-Idaho · Rexburg, ID |
80
71–83 |
$49,581/yr | Very High | 45.0x |
| 5 |
Software Development
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI |
83
73–84 |
$98,117/yr | Very High | 13.2x |
| 6 |
Software Development
University of Colorado Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs, CO |
80
70–81 |
$62,018/yr | Very High | 15.0x |
| 7 |
Software Development
University of Wisconsin-Stout · Menomonie, WI |
78
67–81 |
$54,639/yr | Very High | 18.5x |
| 8 |
Software Development
Northwest Missouri State University · Maryville, MO |
77
65–80 |
$51,790/yr | Very High | 17.9x |
| 9 |
Software Development
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point · Stevens Point, WI |
77
67–79 |
$50,796/yr | Very High | 17.8x |
| 10 |
Software Development
University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA |
70
60–74 |
$103,071/yr | Very High | 5.1x |
| 11 |
Software Development
Baker College · Owosso, MI |
68
54–76 |
$41,784/yr | Very High | 15.8x |
| 12 |
Software Development
University of Phoenix-California · Ontario, CA |
70
61–73 |
$83,476/yr | Very High | — |
| 13 |
Software Development
University of Phoenix-Texas · Dallas, TX |
70
61–73 |
$83,476/yr | Very High | — |
| 14 |
Software Development
DigiPen Institute of Technology · Redmond, WA |
71
61–73 |
$81,885/yr | Very High | 4.5x |
| 15 |
Software Development
Utah Valley University · Orem, UT |
67
54–71 |
$32,743/yr | Very High | 21.8x |
| 16 |
Software Development
University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle, WA |
68
59–70 |
$47,112/yr | Very High | 10.0x |
| 17 |
Software Development
University of Washington-Bothell Campus · Bothell, WA |
68
59–70 |
$47,112/yr | Very High | 10.1x |
| 18 |
Software Development
Worcester Polytechnic Institute · Worcester, MA |
68
59–70 |
$86,193/yr | Very High | 2.6x |
| 19 |
Software Development
Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY |
65
55–69 |
$69,052/yr | Very High | 3.4x |
| 20 |
Software Development
Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN |
65
53–68 |
$38,234/yr | Very High | 12.5x |
| 21 |
Software Development
Wilmington University · New Castle, DE |
67
58–67 |
$46,211/yr | Very High | 8.6x |
| 22 |
Software Development
University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ |
65
56–66 |
$44,645/yr | Very High | 7.2x |
| 23 |
Software Development
DePaul University · Chicago, IL |
63
52–66 |
$54,859/yr | Very High | 3.5x |
| 24 |
Software Development
University of Houston · Houston, TX |
61
49–67 |
$33,997/yr | Very High | 13.3x |
| 25 |
Software Development
Academy of Art University · San Francisco, CA |
61
51–66 |
$45,387/yr | Very High | 6.0x |
| 26 |
Software Development
Champlain College · Burlington, VT |
61
51–65 |
$52,260/yr | Very High | 3.3x |
| 27 |
Software Development
Texas A & M University-College Station · College Station, TX |
59
48–64 |
$35,991/yr | Very High | 10.1x |
| 28 |
Software Development
Pennsylvania College of Technology · Williamsport, PA |
61
52–63 |
$43,144/yr | Very High | 5.0x |
| 29 |
Software Development
Southern New Hampshire University · Manchester, NH |
60
51–62 |
$40,882/yr | Very High | 5.2x |
| 30 |
Software Development
Eastern Washington University · Cheney, WA |
57
45–61 |
$29,046/yr | Very High | 12.1x |
| 31 |
Software Development
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design · Lakewood, CO |
56
45–59 |
$37,268/yr | Very High | 4.8x |
| 32 |
Software Development
University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT |
58
49–59 |
$33,508/yr | Very High | 8.0x |
| 33 |
Software Development
Duquesne University · Pittsburgh, PA |
54
44–57 |
$41,394/yr | Very High | 2.2x |
| 34 |
Software Development
New England Institute of Technology · East Greenwich, RI |
54
42–58 |
$36,893/yr | Very High | 4.0x |
| 35 |
Software Development
Johnson & Wales University-Online · Providence, RI |
55
45–58 |
$32,735/yr | Very High | 8.0x |
| 36 |
Software Development
University of Silicon Valley · San Jose, CA |
56
46–58 |
$37,693/yr | Very High | 3.2x |
| 37 |
Software Development
Lindenwood University · Saint Charles, MO |
53
43–57 |
$34,433/yr | Very High | 5.0x |
| 38 |
Software Development
College of Charleston · Charleston, SC |
55
46–57 |
$34,166/yr | Very High | 5.6x |
| 39 |
Software Development
New York University · New York, NY |
53
44–56 |
$42,891/yr | Very High | 0.8x |
| 40 |
Software Development
Dakota State University · Madison, SD |
52
41–57 |
$26,379/yr | Very High | 9.7x |
| 41 |
Software Development
School of Visual Arts · New York, NY |
50
40–56 |
$36,272/yr | Very High | 2.6x |
| 42 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Arizona · Phoenix, AZ |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 43 |
Software Development
DeVry University-California · Ontario, CA |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 44 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Florida · Orlando, FL |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 45 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Georgia · Decatur, GA |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 46 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Illinois · Lisle, IL |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 47 |
Software Development
DeVry University-New Jersey · Iselin, NJ |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 48 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Ohio · Columbus, OH |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 49 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Texas · Irving, TX |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
| 50 |
Software Development
DeVry University-Virginia · Arlington, VA |
52
42–55 |
$32,159/yr | Very High | 5.4x |
Methodology
Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score, which combines four equally weighted factors: graduate earnings (Year 1 after graduation), AI automation resilience (based on OpenAI and academic research), job market size (BLS annual openings), and earnings-to-tuition multiple (10-year projected earnings vs. 4-year tuition).
Earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which reports actual median earnings of graduates — not self-reported surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best school for Software Development?
Based on our DegreeWorth Score, Western Governors University ranks #1 for Software Development with a score of 88/100 and graduate earnings of $95,292/yr.
How much do Software Development graduates earn?
Across 55 schools, Software Development graduates earn an average of $46,352/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $103,071/yr.
Is Software Development a good major for AI resistance?
Software Development has an average AI task exposure of 61%, rated "Very High". This field has significant AI exposure. Check individual program pages for scenario analysis.
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034
(employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE.
Last updated 2025.