- 1.Software Engineers earn a median salary of $132,270 with 25% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Software Engineering programs include Santa Monica College, Green River College, Valencia College based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Santa Monica College offers software engineering education at $1,104/year with 95% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Software Engineering programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10 Associate's
Santa Monica College
38 software engineering graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Software Engineering based on 95% graduation rate, 38 graduates, and overall score of 58.5/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 38 software engineering graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Green River College
21 software engineering graduates annually
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 for Software Engineering based on 99% graduation rate, 21 graduates, and overall score of 56/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 99% graduation rate
- 21 software engineering graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Valencia College
60 software engineering graduates annually
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 for Software Engineering based on 86% graduation rate, 60 graduates, and overall score of 54.9/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 60 software engineering graduates annually
- Accredited institution
Columbia Basin College
7 software engineering graduates annually
Bellevue College
14 software engineering graduates annually
Dallas College
56 software engineering graduates annually
MiraCosta College
10 software engineering graduates annually
Palm Beach State College
33 software engineering graduates annually
Pasco-Hernando State College
23 software engineering graduates annually
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
9 software engineering graduates annually
Best Software Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Associate's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | Public | $1,104 | 95% | 58.5/100 |
| #2 Green River College | Auburn, WA | Public | $4,074 | 99% | 56/100 |
| #3 Valencia College | Orlando, FL | Public | $1,984 | 86% | 54.9/100 |
| #4 Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | Public | $5,514 | 97% | 54.2/100 |
| #5 Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | Public | $4,074 | 96% | 53.7/100 |
Complete Rankings: Best Associate's Degrees in Software Engineering 2026
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | $1,104 | — | — | 58.5 |
| 2 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | $4,074 | — | — | 56 |
| 3 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | $1,984 | — | — | 54.9 |
| 4 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | $5,514 | — | — | 54.2 |
| 5 | Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | $4,074 | — | — | 53.7 |
| 6 | Dallas College | Dallas, TX | $4,050 | — | — | 53.2 |
| 7 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA | $1,104 | — | — | 52.3 |
| 8 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL | $3,030 | — | — | 51.8 |
| 9 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | $2,297 | — | — | 51 |
| 10 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton, FL | $2,365 | — | — | 49.7 |
| 11 | Centralia College | Centralia, WA | $4,623 | — | — | 49.7 |
| 12 | College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | $3,465 | — | — | 48.7 |
| 13 | Olympic College | Bremerton, WA | $4,197 | — | — | 48.2 |
| 14 | College of Staten Island CUNY | Staten Island, NY | $6,930 | — | — | 47.5 |
| 15 | Snow College | Ephraim, UT | $4,180 | — | — | 47.3 |
| 16 | Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood, WA | $5,740 | — | — | 46.5 |
| 17 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | $1,288 | — | — | 46.4 |
| 18 | Georgia Military College | Milledgeville, GA | $7,605 | — | — | 44.9 |
| 19 | Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta, GA | $2,400 | — | — | 44.9 |
| 20 | Caribbean University-Bayamon | Bayamon, PR | $4,742 | — | — | 44.9 |
| 21 | Midland College | Midland, TX | $3,870 | — | — | 44.9 |
| 22 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | $10,399 | — | — | 44.8 |
| 23 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | $1,104 | — | — | 44.3 |
| 24 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI | $4,386 | — | — | 44.3 |
| 25 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA | $1,104 | — | — | 44.3 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Junior Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Entry-level programming positions building applications and websites under senior developer guidance
Web Developer
Create and maintain websites and web applications using modern frameworks and content management systems
Database Analyst
Design, implement, and maintain database systems to support business operations and applications
Quality Assurance Tester
Test software applications for bugs, usability issues, and performance problems before release
Technical Support Specialist
Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting for software applications and systems
Systems Administrator
Maintain computer systems, networks, and servers in business environments
Software Engineering Associate's Degree Curriculum
Associate's degree programs in software engineering typically require 60-64 credit hours, split between general education requirements and technical coursework. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on programming experience and practical software development skills employers value most.
Core technical courses usually include programming fundamentals in languages like Java, C++, or Python, along with web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students also learn database concepts, system analysis and design, and software testing methodologies. Many programs incorporate version control with Git and introduce cloud platforms like AWS.
- Programming Fundamentals (Java, C++, Python)
- Web Development (HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React)
- Database Design and SQL
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Software Engineering Principles
- Mobile App Development
- Version Control and Collaboration Tools
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
- System Analysis and Design
The best programs integrate industry-standard tools and methodologies throughout the curriculum. Students work with integrated development environments (IDEs), participate in Agile development processes, and complete capstone projects that demonstrate their ability to build complete software applications.
Many programs also emphasize soft skills crucial for software engineering success, including technical communication, project management, and teamwork. These skills prove especially valuable as graduates advance into senior developer roles or pursue software engineering career paths.
Software Engineering Job Market for Associate's Degree Holders
The job market for associate's degree holders in software engineering remains robust, driven by persistent talent shortages and evolving employer attitudes toward skills-based hiring. Major technology companies including Google, Apple, and IBM have dropped degree requirements for many positions, focusing instead on demonstrable programming abilities.
Entry-level positions typically start between $45,000-$60,000 annually, varying by location and company size. Graduates in tech hubs like Seattle, Austin, and Northern Virginia command higher starting salaries, often exceeding $55,000. With 2-3 years of experience, many associate's degree holders advance to mid-level roles earning $65,000-$85,000.
The BLS projects 370,600 annual job openings for software developers through 2032, creating abundant opportunities for qualified candidates. Community colleges often maintain strong relationships with local employers, facilitating internships and direct job placement for graduates.
Remote work opportunities have expanded significantly since 2020, allowing associate's degree holders to access positions with companies nationwide. This trend particularly benefits graduates from rural areas or regions with limited local tech opportunities. Many employers now prioritize portfolio quality and technical interview performance over educational credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 120 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Employment projections and salary data for software developers
Official government data on college costs, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings
Federal education statistics and institutional data
Comprehensive database of postsecondary education institutions and programs
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.