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Software Development at College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications

with a mid-sized student body of 5,898 in Nampa, ID.

Program Analysis

At $33,165/yr, Software Development graduates from College of Western Idaho land near the $31,879 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 52.0x 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 career paths, with 70% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $7,550 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #8 of 24 Software Development programs, College of Western Idaho scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

There are 3 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Software Development, including Data Scientist (median $112,590/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
63
Score
66
High End
Earnings $33,165/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$347K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,672
Out-of-state: $14,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,550
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Software Development graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

Software Development Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Software Development — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from College of Western Idaho and 23 other schools.

Read the full Software Development career guide →

Compare & Explore

Software Development Overview

View all 24 schools offering Software Development →

Software Development at Other Schools

Madison Area Technical College ($65,191) Dunwoody College of Technology ($52,264) Hunter Business School ($45,301) Dallas College ($41,477) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($38,262) Portland Community College ($37,572) Visible Music College ($35,734) Harrisburg Area Community College ($35,284)

Other Majors at College of Western Idaho

Nursing ($74,246) Allied Health Professions ($53,281) Drafting & Design Technology ($49,508) Drafting & Design Technology ($48,988) Heavy Equipment Technology ($48,524) Criminal Justice ($43,684) Precision Metalworking ($40,029) IT Management ($39,962)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Software Development degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Software Development at College of Western Idaho?
At 63/100, College of Western Idaho's Software Development program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How vulnerable is Software Development to AI automation?
AI exposure of 70% is a real factor. For College of Western Idaho specifically, the gap between optimistic ($346,980) and pessimistic ($346,980) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Software Development at College of Western Idaho?
Median debt of just $7,550 against $33,165/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Software Development program at College of Western Idaho?
The DOL recognizes 3 apprenticeship pathways related to Software Development. For students weighing College of Western Idaho's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Software Development graduates from College of Western Idaho find jobs?
With approximately 262,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Software Development offers a very large employment pool. College of Western Idaho graduates enter a market shaped by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →