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First, some facts. Of the Software Development graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 56 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Software Development graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 10% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Software Development graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Software Development. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDatabase Developer America First Credit Union Sep 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When examining the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Software Development, it’s fascinating to see a wide variety of roles they pursued afterward. The most common types of jobs encompass positions like Software Engineer, Software Developer, and roles related to technical support or quality assurance. Many of these positions directly apply the skills and knowledge gained during their studies. For example, many people are working as Software Engineers or Software Developers at well-known companies like Walmart and Microsoft, which is a clear indication that their education is being utilized effectively in the workforce.
However, there is also a noticeable trend where graduates have taken on roles that, while perhaps leveraging some technical skills or related problem-solving abilities, do not necessarily align directly with core Software Development. Positions such as Project Managers, Sales Managers, or various IT support roles tend to drift away from pure development tasks. For instance, jobs like Desktop Support Analyst or Technical Support Engineer involve some degree of technical skills but are primarily focused on support rather than actual development or programming work. While these roles are valuable, they can signify that not all graduates dive directly into traditional software development roles after earning their degrees.
Overall, many of these jobs are indeed relevant to Software Development, especially those directly tied to engineering, development, or IT entities. However, the wide range of roles also highlights the reality that some graduates may find themselves in positions that are not strictly within the boundaries of software development yet have their roots in technical knowledge. This assortment shows that while a degree in Software Development often opens the door to various tech-focused careers, the field is indeed broad, and individual career trajectories can differ significantly based on personal interests, market conditions, and other factors.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Software Development graduates:
When it comes to graduates of Software Development programs, their career paths can vary quite a bit, but you can definitely spot some trends. Many of these folks are landing jobs that are relevant to their degrees right after graduation, especially in roles like software engineer, developer, and various IT positions. For instance, a good number of graduates from schools like Western Governors University and DePaul University are snagging software development positions shortly after leaving school, which is a great sign. You can see that many of them are starting off strong as Software Engineers, QA Engineers, and Developers, which indicates that they’re entering the workforce in jobs that relate directly to the skills they’ve learned. This is a promising aspect for students considering these programs.
As you look further down the line, say five or even ten years into their careers, these graduates generally continue to find success in tech-related fields, although there are some bumps along the way. For instance, while many graduates stick with software engineering roles, some shift into management positions or different areas like data analysis or project management. However, not all paths seem to lead to success; some people seem to drift away from the software development track or even work in unrelated fields altogether. For example, a couple of graduates ended up in roles like sales management or project management with little software-related focus. This suggests that while a Software Development degree can open doors, it’s not a guaranteed ticket to a long-term career in pure tech. Overall, the outlook for these graduates is decent, though they should be mindful of their choices and how they want to specialize as they move forward.
A Bachelor’s degree in Software Development can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty—some parts might feel super easy, while others will definitely challenge you. If you have a knack for problem-solving and logical thinking, you might find the coding and software design aspects pretty enjoyable. However, get ready for some math, algorithms, and sometimes frustrating debugging sessions that can test your patience. On the whole, it’s probably around average in terms of difficulty compared to other degrees, but your experience really depends on your interests and how much effort you’re willing to put in. If you’re passionate about tech and willing to put in the work, you’ll likely find it manageable and even fun at times!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Software Development.
Looking at these Software Development grads, it seems like quite a few of them are on paths to making decent money, especially those in software development and engineering roles. Positions such as Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, and IT Engineer typically have competitive salaries, often starting in the $70,000-$80,000 range and climbing significantly with experience. Graduates with roles at well-known companies like Microsoft, Walmart Technology, and Capital One are likely earning good salaries, as these firms usually pay well and offer strong benefits.
However, not everyone has hit the jackpot. Some of the roles like Desktop Support Analyst or working in positions at smaller companies might not have the same salary potential as higher-tier tech jobs. Additionally, those working in management or HR roles may vary widely in income, depending on the company and region. Overall, while there’s a solid chance many grads are doing well, the variation makes it clear that a few are still finding their footing financially or might be in entry-level roles for a bit longer.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Software Development. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Software Development (ordered by the average relevance score of their Software Development graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Western Governors University
|
56 | 20 |