Business/Commerce at DeVry University-California

DeVry's business program in California sits at a stark crossroads: exceptional earnings but exceptional debt to match. With graduates earning $57,020 in their first year—placing them in the 94th percentile nationally and comfortably above California's state median—this program delivers real income gains. Among California's business programs, it ranks above the 60th percentile, outpacing most public and private alternatives. For context, DeVry grads earn roughly $10,000 more annually than the typical California business graduate.

The challenge is the price tag. At $47,236 in median debt—nearly double the national average and significantly above California's typical business program debt—students pay premium prices for these premium outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 means graduates face manageable but substantial payments, and the flat earnings trajectory (essentially no growth from year one to year four) means they won't quickly outgrow this burden. More than half of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families will feel this debt load acutely.

For families prioritizing immediate post-graduation earnings and willing to accept higher debt for faster career entry, this program delivers. The earnings advantage is real and measurable. However, families should weigh whether that $10,000 annual premium over California's median justifies carrying nearly $20,000 in extra debt, especially when earnings appear to plateau rather than accelerate.