Analysis
Starting salaries around $36,000 might seem reasonable for an associate's degree, but here's the problem: this figure comes from national peer programs, and California's tech market typically pays much better. Similar computer science associate's programs in California report median earnings of $44,653—nearly $9,000 more than what this estimate suggests. For a field where location matters enormously to compensation, borrowing $29,500 to potentially earn below the state median raises real questions about whether you're getting the California advantage you're paying for.
The debt load itself is concerning. At $29,500, this program carries nearly double the national median debt for computer science associate's degrees ($14,932) and sits in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with less debt. Even if earnings match the estimate, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82, which means nearly a year's gross salary going toward what you borrowed. That's a heavy burden for a two-year degree, particularly when other California programs demonstrate you can enter this field with significantly less debt.
The core issue is paying premium debt for below-market outcomes. If your child attends, they need a clear plan for how DeVry's specific connections or curriculum will compensate for both the debt premium and the earnings gap suggested by these estimates. Without that plan, exploring community college pathways or other California programs with transparent, reported outcomes makes more financial sense.
Where DeVry University-California Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Computer and Information Sciences associates's programs at peer institutions in California (93 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17,488 | $35,761* | — | $29,500 | — | |
| — | $44,653* | — | $19,300 | 0.43 | |
| National Median | — | $35,760* | — | $14,932 | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
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 DeVry University-California, approximately 54% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 80 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.