Analysis
A bachelor's in software and media applications from Creighton comes with an estimated first-year salary of $38,234—a figure that falls well short of what most parents expect from a tech degree. While this estimate draws from national peer programs rather than Creighton's specific outcomes, it should prompt serious questions about the program's focus. True software development roles typically start in the $60,000-$80,000 range, so this $38K figure suggests the curriculum may lean more toward media applications or digital content creation than pure programming—fields with notably different earning trajectories.
The estimated debt load of $25,603 is actually below the national median for this field, which provides some cushion. That 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in acceptable territory, though it's worth noting this assumes you land a role that pays near the estimated starting salary. At a school where only 5% of students receive Pell grants, most families are paying full freight or close to it, making the ROI calculation even more critical.
The practical concern here is what "Computer Software and Media Applications" actually prepares students to do. If your child is passionate about software engineering specifically, you'll want to verify whether this program provides the rigorous computer science foundation and portfolio-building opportunities that lead to higher-paying developer roles. Without reported outcomes for Creighton's graduates in this program, you're banking on comparable results to peer institutions—an uncertainty that demands extra due diligence about curriculum content and career placement.
Where Creighton University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,000 | $38,234* | — | $25,603* | — | |
| $68,237 | $103,071* | $134,326 | $23,500* | 0.23 | |
| $17,228 | $98,117* | — | $19,769* | 0.20 | |
| $8,300 | $95,292* | — | $23,287* | 0.24 | |
| $59,070 | $86,193* | — | $24,656* | 0.29 | |
| — | $83,476* | $57,111 | $44,225* | 0.53 | |
| National Median | — | $38,234* | — | $27,000* | 0.71 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Computer Programmers
Web Developers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Creighton University, approximately 5% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 55 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.