Computer Software and Media Applications at Pittsburgh Technical College

Oakdale, PA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 822 in Oakdale, PA.

Program Analysis

At $25,671 per year, Computer Software and Media Applications graduates from Pittsburgh Technical College earn below the $31,879 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 7.8x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.

The $18,122 debt-to-$25,671 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #22 out of 24 programs, Pittsburgh Technical College's financial outcomes for Computer Software and Media Applications trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $25,671 to $29,599 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
45
Score
48
High End
Earnings $25,671/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (30% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$303K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
8.0x
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
$37,960
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,122
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,599
15% growth from Year 1

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 Pittsburgh Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pittsburgh Technical College's Computer Software and Media Applications program score?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Computer Software and Media Applications. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How vulnerable is Computer Software and Media Applications to AI automation?
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.
Why are Computer Software and Media Applications earnings lower at Pittsburgh Technical 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Computer Software and Media Applications?
Yes — 3 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Computer Software and Media Applications career paths, including Data Scientist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Computer Software and Media Applications workers?
With approximately 262,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Computer Software and Media Applications offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →