Compare 50 accredited 2-year software engineering programs at community colleges and technical schools. Find affordable programs with strong transfer pathways and entry-level career placement.
Quick Answer: Is an Associate's Degree in Software Engineering Worth It?
Source: An associate's degree in software engineering is worth it for students seeking affordable entry into tech careers. At ~$3,500/year (vs $40,000+ for bachelor's), you can enter the workforce in 2 years or transfer to a 4-year university with completed prerequisites. Entry-level technician roles start at $45,500.
An associate's degree in software engineering offers a cost-effective pathway into technology careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers earn a median salary of $130,160 annually, with entry-level positions starting around $70,000.
Key Benefits of the 2-Year Path
Salary potential: Entry-level software engineering positions start at $70,000, with experienced professionals earning up to $208,000+ (BLS OEWS, 2024).
Who succeeds with an associate's: Students seeking quick entry to tech careers, working adults balancing jobs and education, career changers looking for an affordable credential, and those planning to transfer to bachelor's programs.
$135,980 median salary · 71% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 53% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 46% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 44% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 24% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 21% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 47% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 45% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 42% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 43% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's associate's software engineering program #1. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Lancaster, PA | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,000/year | Graduation Rate: 71% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 93.3
Hakia ranks Rasmussen University-Minnesota's associate's software engineering program #2. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: St. Cloud, MN | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $10,595/year | Graduation Rate: 53% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 89.2
Hakia ranks Snow College's associate's software engineering program #3. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Ephraim, UT | Type: Public | Tuition: $3,930/year | Graduation Rate: 46% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 86.4
Hakia ranks Full Sail University's associate's software engineering program #4. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Winter Park, FL | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $26,906/year | Graduation Rate: 44% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 80.3
Hakia ranks Connecticut State Community College's associate's software engineering program #5. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: New Britain, CT | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,608/year | Graduation Rate: 24% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 72.9
Hakia ranks Oakland Community College's associate's software engineering program #6. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Auburn Hills, MI | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,340/year | Graduation Rate: 21% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 71.5
Hakia ranks Vermont State University's associate's software engineering program #7. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Randolph, VT | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,344/year | Graduation Rate: 47% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 70.3
Hakia ranks Rasmussen University-Kansas's associate's software engineering program #8. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Topeka, KS | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $14,116/year | Graduation Rate: 45% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 69.5
Hakia ranks Rasmussen University-Florida's associate's software engineering program #9. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Ocala, FL | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $14,024/year | Graduation Rate: 42% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 67.7
Hakia ranks Rasmussen University-Illinois's associate's software engineering program #10. Degree: Associate's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Rockford, IL | Type: Private for-profit | Tuition: $14,307/year | Graduation Rate: 43% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 67.5
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Associate's in Software Engineering Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyLancaster, PA · Public | On-campus | $9,000 | 71% | $135,980 | 93.3 |
| #2 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Private for-profit | On-campus | $10,595 | 53% | $135,980 | 89.2 |
| #3 | Associate's in Software Engineering Snow CollegeEphraim, UT · Public | On-campus | $3,930 | 46% | $135,980 | 86.4 |
| #4 | Associate's in Software Engineering Full Sail UniversityWinter Park, FL · Private for-profit | On-campus | $26,906 | 44% | $135,980 | 80.3 |
| #5 | Associate's in Software Engineering Connecticut State Community CollegeNew Britain, CT · Public | On-campus | $4,608 | 24% | $135,980 | 72.9 |
| #6 | Associate's in Software Engineering Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills, MI · Public | On-campus | $5,340 | 21% | $135,980 | 71.5 |
| #7 | Associate's in Software Engineering Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT · Public | On-campus | $10,344 | 47% | $135,980 | 70.3 |
| #8 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka, KS · Private for-profit | On-campus | $14,116 | 45% | $135,980 | 69.5 |
| #9 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL · Private for-profit | On-campus | $14,024 | 42% | $135,980 | 67.7 |
| #10 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford, IL · Private for-profit | On-campus | $14,307 | 43% | $135,980 | 67.5 |
| #11 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo, ND · Private for-profit | On-campus | $12,359 | 29% | $135,980 | 60.9 |
| #12 | Associate's in Software Engineering Rogue Community CollegeGrants Pass, OR · Public | On-campus | $4,392 | 9% | $135,980 | 60.6 |
Showing all 12 ranked programs.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 12 associate software engineering programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology's Associate's in Software Engineering sits at the top. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $135,980.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for software engineering graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
May 2024 salary data by occupation and location
Department of Education outcomes data
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.