Computer Software and Media Applications at The New School

A $29,550 starting salary from a New School software degree falls dramatically short of what families should expect from a tech-focused bachelor's program. This places graduates in the bottom 5% nationally for this field—and even within New York's competitive market, it ranks only in the 25th percentile. Compare this to Rochester Institute of Technology graduates who earn $69,052, or even nearby NYU at $42,891, and the gap becomes stark.

The $25,489 in median debt isn't catastrophic on its own, sitting slightly below national averages. But paired with such low earnings, it creates a concerning financial picture. Graduates are starting with debt nearly equivalent to their entire first-year salary—a ratio that typically signals difficulty covering basic living expenses in an expensive city like New York while managing loan payments. When other schools in the same state are producing software graduates who earn 40-130% more, the value proposition weakens considerably.

For parents considering this program, the central question is whether the New School's creative approach to technology education justifies starting so far behind peers financially. If your child is passionate about the school's interdisciplinary philosophy and creative culture, understand they'll likely need family support or a clear plan for rapid salary growth post-graduation. Otherwise, other New York programs deliver significantly stronger immediate returns.