Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at DeVry University-Georgia

DeVry's computer engineering technology program carries debt levels that should concern any parent looking at the numbers. With graduates owing $55,425—nearly double the national median of $31,000 for this degree—the first-year debt burden is real. That said, the earnings trajectory tells a more hopeful story: graduates see nearly 50% income growth between years one and four, climbing from $48,829 to $72,749. This puts them squarely at the national median initially, then well above it by year four.

The tricky part is that you're looking at limited comparison points in Georgia—only three schools offer this program in-state. Among those, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, but that modest sample makes state-level comparisons less meaningful. More telling: 61% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families are borrowing heavily to attend. The 1.14 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe more than they'll make in their first year, which can strain repayment even with solid income growth down the line.

If your child can access similar programs at lower cost—particularly at public universities where computer engineering technology programs typically run half this debt load—that's worth serious consideration. The earnings growth here is genuine, but you'll want to calculate whether the extra $24,000 in debt makes financial sense compared to alternatives.