Computer Software and Media Applications at DeVry University-Arizona

A software degree should open doors to strong tech salaries, but DeVry University-Arizona's program produces graduates earning just $32,159 in their first year—$12,000 below Arizona's median for software programs and nearly $6,000 below the national average. More concerning, graduates carry $48,849 in debt, almost double the national median for this program and ranking in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with less debt). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.52 means graduates owe 1.5 times their first-year salary, creating immediate financial strain in a field that typically offers better starting prospects.

The gap with Arizona alternatives is stark. University of Arizona graduates in the same program earn $44,645 initially, while University of Phoenix grads start at over $83,000—more than 2.5 times DeVry's outcomes. Both institutions have roughly comparable or lower debt loads. The earnings do climb 21% by year four to $38,887, but that still leaves graduates behind where they should have started. With 52% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are stretching financially to attend, making the debt burden particularly troublesome.

For a technical degree that should lead to middle-class income immediately, starting $12,000 below Arizona norms while carrying nearly $50,000 in debt creates years of financial hardship. Arizona families have demonstrably better options for software education, even at in-state public universities.