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Software Development at Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications

serving 11,133 students in Gainesville, FL.

Program Analysis

At $24,448 per year, Software Development 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 Software Development career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

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

For students considering alternatives, 3 registered apprenticeship programs align with Software Development 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 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

Software Development opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

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 Santa Fe College

Nursing ($68,611) Allied Health Professions ($57,763) Dental Assisting ($56,722) Medical Assisting ($42,710) Computer Programming ($39,098) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($25,823) Animal Sciences ($24,833)

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 Santa Fe College?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Software Development field.
Will AI affect Software Development careers?
The 70% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Santa Fe College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Santa Fe College a good choice for Software Development 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.
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 Santa Fe College.
How many job openings are there for Software Development graduates?
The very large job market (262,500 annual openings) works in favor of Software Development graduates. The national outlook is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →