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Software Development at Stark State College

North Canton, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications

with a mid-sized student body of 5,803 in North Canton, OH.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,525/yr fall 29% below the $31,879 national median for Software Development. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 36.5x 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 36% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At $6,699 in median debt against $22,525 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #16 out of 24 programs, Stark State College's financial outcomes for Software Development trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $22,525 to $33,531 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable 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.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
51
Score
55
High End
Earnings $22,525/yr (-29% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$367K
10.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.3x
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)
$9,340
Out-of-state: $15,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,699
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,531
49% 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

What can you do with a Software Development credential from Stark State College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Stark State College

Electrical Engineering Technology ($109,198) Nursing ($61,548) Allied Health Professions ($51,690) Practical Nursing ($44,914) Accounting ($38,671) Business Administration ($37,442) Health Administration ($36,006) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($35,362)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Software Development degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stark State College's Software Development program score?
At 51/100, the score looks reasonable — but Software Development is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Software Development graduates from Stark State College?
The 70% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Stark State College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Software Development graduates from Stark State College?
At $6,699 in median debt, Software Development graduates from Stark State College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Software Development earnings lower at Stark State 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?
Beyond Stark State College's classroom route, 3 registered apprenticeships map to Software Development careers — including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Software Development graduates from Stark State College find jobs?
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 →