Computer Software and Media Applications at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Austin, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 1,079 in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,841 track close to the $31,879 national median for Computer Software and Media Applications programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.

At $7,389 in median debt against $31,841 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #11 out of 24 programs, Southern Careers Institute-Austin's Computer Software and Media Applications offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
57
Score
60
High End
Earnings $31,841/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$333K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$7,389
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Careers Institute-Austin's Computer Software and Media Applications program score?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Computer Software and Media Applications field.
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.
What's the typical debt for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates from Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
Median debt of just $7,389 against $31,841/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Computer Software and Media Applications through an apprenticeship instead?
Computer Software and Media Applications connects to 3 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →