Location: San Jose, CA•In-State Tuition: $22,480•Admission Rate: 51%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$37,693
48th percentile
25th percentile in California
Median Debt
$31,000
15% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.82 ManageableSample: 25 graduates Limited data

Analysis

A software program in San Jose—tech capital of the world—should position graduates for strong starting salaries, but University of Silicon Valley's outcomes lag significantly behind California competitors. At $37,693 first-year earnings, graduates here earn $7,700 less than the state median for this program and rank in just the 25th percentile among California schools. For context, Academy of Art University graduates start at $45,387, while USC and University of Phoenix grads earn dramatically more.

The debt load of $31,000 isn't unreasonable by itself, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. However, that relative affordability matters less when starting salaries are this low in one of the nation's most expensive metros. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting many families are counting on this degree to deliver economic mobility—a tall order when earnings trail both state and even national averages (this program performs below median nationally too).

The small sample size here is genuinely concerning. With fewer than 30 graduates reporting, these numbers could swing significantly year to year, making it hard to know if this represents the typical outcome. For a family considering a software degree in the Bay Area, the combination of below-average earnings and uncertain data makes this a risky choice compared to established California alternatives with clearer track records.

Where University of Silicon Valley Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

University of Silicon ValleyOther computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Silicon Valley graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Silicon Valley earns $38k — 48th percentile among computer software and media applications bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (14 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Silicon ValleySan Jose$22,480$37,693—$31,0000.82
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$103,071$134,326$23,5000.23
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$83,476$57,111$44,2250.53
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco$28,024$45,387$72,792$39,7150.88
DeVry University-CaliforniaOntario$17,488$32,159$38,887$48,8491.52
National Median—$38,234—$27,0000.71

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 University of Silicon Valley, approximately 47% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.