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Computer Software and Media Applications at Stark State College

North Canton, OH · Public · Associate Degree

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 Computer Software and Media Applications. 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 Computer Software and Media Applications 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.

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.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

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 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 Stark State College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stark State College's Computer Software and Media Applications program score?

At 51/100, the score looks reasonable — but Computer Software and Media Applications is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

How vulnerable is Computer Software and Media Applications to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Computer Software and Media Applications careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 70% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.

What's the typical debt for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates from Stark State College?

At $6,699 in median debt, Computer Software and Media Applications 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 Computer Software and Media Applications 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.

Can I learn Computer Software and Media Applications through an apprenticeship instead?

There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer Software and Media Applications occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.

How many job openings are there for Computer Software and Media Applications graduates?

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 →