Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at DeVry University-Arizona

DeVry's electrical engineering technology program produces graduates who start strong—their $58,056 first-year earnings match the top performer statewide and beat 75% of programs nationally. But there's a catch that matters: earnings actually drop to $52,465 by year four, a 10% decline that's unusual for technical fields where experience typically commands higher pay. The debt load of $28,782 is roughly double what students at comparable programs nationally carry, though the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 remains manageable if those early earnings held steady.

The declining earnings trajectory raises questions about the long-term career path these graduates follow. Are they starting in higher-paying contract roles that don't lead to permanent positions? Do they lack credentials for advancement that four-year engineering graduates possess? With half the students coming from lower-income backgrounds (Pell recipients), that debt premium becomes particularly significant if career growth stalls.

If your child can find a two-year electrical technology program with similar placement rates at half the debt—and there are 456 programs nationally to compare—that's worth serious consideration. The strong initial earnings suggest DeVry's industry connections work, but you're paying a premium for an outcome that deteriorates rather than compounds over time.