Home › Hudson Valley Community College › Software Development

Software Development at Hudson Valley Community College

Troy, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications

with a mid-sized student body of 6,359 in Troy, NY.

Program Analysis

Hudson Valley Community College's Software Development graduates start at $24,099/yr, trailing the $31,879 national average by 24%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 29.0x 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 exposure is significant at 70% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,909 in median debt clears fast against $24,099 in annual earnings.

At #17 out of 24 programs, Hudson Valley Community College's financial outcomes for Software Development trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,099 to $40,768 over five years (69% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
50
Score
54
High End
Earnings $24,099/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$423K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.6x
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)
$13,388
Out-of-state: $23,500
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,909
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,768
69% growth from Year 1

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 Hudson Valley Community College 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 Hudson Valley Community College

Nursing ($69,638) Allied Health Professions ($69,242) Allied Health Professions ($58,246) Industrial Production Technology ($56,997) Dental Assisting ($52,151) Electrical Installation ($49,095) HVAC Technology ($47,134) Construction Engineering Technology ($44,162)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Software Development degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hudson Valley Community College's Software Development program score?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Software Development programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I worry about AI if I study Software Development at Hudson Valley Community College?
AI exposure of 70% is a real factor. For Hudson Valley Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($422,906) and pessimistic ($252,129) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why are Software Development earnings lower at Hudson Valley Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Software Development graduates?
Yes — 3 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Software Development career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Hudson Valley Community College.
What's the job market like for Software Development from Hudson Valley Community College?
With approximately 262,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Software Development offers a very large employment pool. Hudson Valley Community College graduates enter a market shaped by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →