Computer and Information Sciences at American InterContinental University System

The first thing to understand: this program carries almost double the typical debt for computer science degrees ($45,606 vs. $25,000 nationally), while graduates earn about $10,000 less than their peers. You're looking at a debt burden that takes up 88% of first-year salary—a challenging starting point for any career, even in tech. Among Arizona's computer science programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning more than half of in-state alternatives produce better results. Students here earn $8,000 less than the state median while carrying significantly more debt.

The 73% Pell Grant rate suggests this program serves students who need economic mobility, but the math works against that goal. While earnings do grow modestly to $55,591 by year four, graduates are still underwater compared to peers at Arizona State ($71,183) or even Grand Canyon University ($59,500)—and those alternatives typically come with less debt. The robust sample size means these aren't statistical flukes; this is the consistent pattern.

For families considering this program, the tradeoff is stark: you're paying premium prices for below-average outcomes in a field where employability is generally strong. If your student can access any of Arizona's public universities or even other private options like Grand Canyon, the financial advantage is substantial—we're talking $15,000+ more in annual earnings with less debt to service. This investment makes sense only if all other pathways are genuinely unavailable.