Software Applications Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Software Applications major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Computers, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Computers, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$94,646

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$149,642

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$201,107

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 5.7%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$3,785,840

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Computer and Information Systems Managers
SOC: 11-3021
Occupation: Computer and Information Systems Managers
$171,200
645,970
N/A
N/A
Computer and Information Research Scientists
SOC: 15-1221
Occupation: Computer and Information Research Scientists
$140,910
38,480
N/A
N/A
Database Administrators
SOC: 15-1242
Occupation: Database Administrators
$104,620
73,180
N/A
N/A
Database Architects
SOC: 15-1243
Occupation: Database Architects
$135,980
64,770
N/A
N/A
Computer Programmers
SOC: 15-1251
Occupation: Computer Programmers
$98,670
109,870
N/A
N/A
Software Developers
SOC: 15-1252
Occupation: Software Developers
$133,080
1,654,440
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Database Administrators

8.2%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$104,62073,180
2023$101,51076,140
2022$99,89080,520
2021$96,71085,870

Database Architects

10.2%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$135,98064,770
2023$134,70059,920
2022$134,87062,470
2021$123,43050,440

Computer Programmers

10.6%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$98,670109,870
2023$99,700120,370
2022$97,800132,740
2021$93,000152,610
2020$89,190178,140

Data Scientists

11.6%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$112,590233,440
2023$108,020192,710
2022$103,500159,630
2021$100,910105,980

Colleges offering Software Applications

Stevens Institute of Technology

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$44k

Earnings

$95k

Missouri University of Science and Technology

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$15k

Earnings

$81k

University of Maryland-College Park

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$16k

Earnings

$69k

Bryan College of Health Sciences

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$22k

Earnings

$65k

Capitol Technology University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$24k

Earnings

$102k