Computer Software and Media Applications at Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

Dunwoody College of Technology accepts 98% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,417 in Minneapolis, MN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $52,264 put Dunwoody College of Technology's Computer Software and Media Applications program 64% above the national median of $31,879 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 13.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.

With first-year pay of $52,264 far exceeding the $20,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #9 out of 24 programs, Dunwoody College of Technology's Computer Software and Media Applications offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $52,264 to $70,990 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Computer Software and Media Applications connects to 3 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
62
Score
64
High End
Earnings $52,264/yr (64% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$756K
8.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
14.7x
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
$51,318
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,990
36% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Software and Media Applications 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 →

About Computer Software and Media Applications Careers

Your career could begin as a software developer, where you’ll spend your days in a code editor like VS Code, writing Python or JavaScript and collaborating with a team to build and debug applications. Alternatively, you could focus on user experience as a web and digital interface designer, using tools like Figma to create wireframes and test how people interact with your layouts.

Read the full Computer Software and Media Applications career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Software and Media Applications Overview

Computer Software and Media Applications at Other Schools

Other Majors at Dunwoody College of Technology

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dunwoody College of Technology's Computer Software and Media Applications program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.
Will AI affect Computer Software and Media Applications careers?
The 70% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Are there apprenticeship options for Computer Software and Media Applications?
Yes — 3 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer Software and Media Applications career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Computer Software and Media Applications workers?
The career paths mapped to Computer Software and Media Applications have roughly 262,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →