Computer Software and Media Applications at Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL · Public · Associate Degree

serving 11,133 students in Gainesville, FL.

Program Analysis

At $24,448 per year, Computer Software and Media Applications graduates from Santa Fe College earn below the $31,879 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 49.9x 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 Computer Software and Media Applications career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #12 ranking among 24 Computer Software and Media Applications programs places Santa Fe College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
56
Score
59
High End
Earnings $24,448/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$256K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.9x
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)
$5,126
Out-of-state: $18,378

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 Santa Fe College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Software and Media Applications at Santa Fe College?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Software and Media Applications field.
How vulnerable is Computer Software and Media Applications to AI automation?
With 70% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $255,780 in decade earnings vs $255,780 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Santa Fe College a good choice for Computer Software and Media Applications despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Santa Fe College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Computer Software and Media Applications through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer Software and Media Applications occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates?
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 →