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Software Developer

Write the code behind apps, websites, and platforms. Broad role spanning frontend, backend, mobile, and full-stack.

remote-friendlyhigh-growthhigh-pay
77
ROI · Excellent
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
54
Expected value
ROI × Attainability ÷ 100
See full ranking →
Compare this career
Salary progression

What you'll earn over your career

$75k
$115k
$175k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+25%
+25% (Much faster than avg)
Open positions
195,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths

How to get here

Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.

Bootcamp Hybrid
Full-Stack Dev Certificate
Time
3–9 months
Cost
$10,000 – $20,000
Top programs
App AcademyHybridHack ReactorHybridFlatiron SchoolOnline
Top bootcamps have strong placement records.
Degree In Person
BS Computer Science
Time
4 years
Cost
$40,000 – $200,000
Top programs
Georgia Tech OMSCSOnlineWGU CSOnlineState universitiesIn Person
Default path for FAANG-tier roles.
Fastest ROI
Self-taught Online
Portfolio + open-source
Time
12–24 months
Cost
Paid / Free
Top programs
The Odin Project (free)OnlinefreeCodeCampOnlineCS50Online
Viable with strong portfolio.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown

What are the odds
you actually get there?

Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.

70
Composite
Attainability Score
Editorial estimate
Editorial estimate — based on best-available qualitative info. We're upgrading individual factors to published statistics where available.
  • Educational difficulty
    How hard the required schooling is to complete
    50
    20%
  • Licensing & exams
    Pass rates and difficulty of required exams
    100
    15%
  • Entry-job competition
    How many applicants per open entry-level role
    50
    20%
  • Career stay-rate
    Inverse of early-career attrition / industry exit
    65
    15%
  • Market demand
    Openings vs available workforce
    85
    15%
  • Alternative paths
    How many viable ways exist to enter the field
    80
    15%
Recommended schools

Schools known for this path

Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Software Developer. Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →

WGU
Online, competency-based
Tuition
~$4,005 / 6-month term
Flat-rate. Finish faster, pay less.
Programs for Software Developer
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Avg B.S. completion 2.5 yrs
Total cost
$20,000
Starting pay
$80,000
Software Developer
Break-even
5 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,310,800
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
UF Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$111.92 / credit (in-state)
Same UF diploma, online delivery. $129.18/cr with required fees.
Programs for Software Developer
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $129/cr (in-state) ≈ $15.5K
Total cost
$18,000
Starting pay
$80,000
Software Developer
Break-even
5 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,312,800
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
ASU Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$580 / credit
Tuition only; mandatory program fees vary.
Programs for Software Developer
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $580/cr = $69.6K
Total cost
$69,600
Starting pay
$80,000
Software Developer
Break-even
19 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,261,200
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
Georgia Tech
On-campus, elite public R1
Tuition
$10,512 in-state / $33,596 out
Elite engineering brand. In-state ROI is exceptional.
Programs for Software Developer
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
4 yrs × $10.5K (in-state); out-of-state ~$134K
Total cost
$42,000
Starting pay
$80,000
Software Developer
Break-even
11 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,288,800
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
CC → State U
Hybrid: 2 years CC + 2 years 4-year transfer
Tuition
~$4,000/yr at CC + state tuition
The lowest-debt path for most 18-year-olds.
Programs for Software Developer
  • Computer science transfer
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
2 yrs CC (~$8K) + 2 yrs in-state univ (~$17K)
Total cost
$25,000
Starting pay
$80,000
Software Developer
Break-even
7 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,305,800
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
Quick math

If you took the fastest path…

You'd train for
12–24 months
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$75,000
Mid-career
$115,000
Read more

Articles & resources

Software Developers – BLS Occupational Outlook
BLS
Stack Overflow Developer Survey
Stack Overflow
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · Stack Overflow Survey

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