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Software Development at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications

with a mid-sized student body of 9,273 in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

At $65,191 per year, Software Development graduates from Madison Area Technical College significantly outpace the $31,879 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 71.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Software Development career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $13,149 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #2 of 24 programs, this Software Development program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

For students considering alternatives, 3 registered apprenticeship programs align with Software Development careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
78
Score
81
High End
Earnings $65,191/yr (104% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$682K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.3x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,149
2.4 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Software Development careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Software Development career guide →

Compare & Explore

Software Development Overview

View all 24 schools offering Software Development →

Software Development at Other Schools

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) DeVry University-Illinois ($33,504)

Other Majors at Madison Area Technical College

Nursing ($66,446) Computer Networking ($65,324) Allied Health Professions ($62,646) Dental Assisting ($59,139) Allied Health Professions ($57,005) IT Management ($54,784) Clinical Laboratory Science ($54,717) Accounting ($45,333)

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 does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Software Development at Madison Area Technical College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Software Development nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Software Development graduates from Madison Area Technical College?
AI won't eliminate Software Development careers, but it may reshape them. At Madison Area Technical College, a score of 78/100 already accounts for the 70% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Software Development at Madison Area Technical College?
At $13,149 in median debt, Software Development graduates from Madison Area Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Software Development through an apprenticeship instead of Madison Area Technical College?
If Madison Area Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 3 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Software Development. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Software Development graduates from Madison Area Technical College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Software Development have roughly 262,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →