Accounting at DeVry University-Georgia

DeVry University-Georgia's accounting program charges students roughly twice the typical debt load for this degree—$54,380 versus a $25,000 national median—while delivering earnings that barely budge over four years. Starting at $54,264 and essentially flat-lining at $54,099 by year four, graduates face a concerning 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that means they'll owe nearly a full year's salary. For context, this debt burden ranks in the worst 5% nationally for accounting programs.

The earnings themselves aren't terrible in isolation. At 60th percentile within Georgia, this program actually outperforms the state median by about $3,700 annually. It's competitive with solid state schools like Georgia State and University of West Georgia, though it trails higher-performers like UGA by about $10,000. The issue is whether that performance justifies borrowing more than double what Georgia accounting students typically take on ($54,380 vs. $26,000 state median).

For a family, the math is straightforward: this degree costs an extra $28,000 in debt compared to state alternatives while delivering comparable earnings. That premium buys convenience and accessibility—DeVry's 81% admission rate serves students who might struggle to access traditional universities—but it creates a repayment burden that will follow graduates for years. Unless geographic constraints or admission barriers make state schools impractical, Georgia's public options offer better financial positioning in this field.