Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians at DeVry University-Ohio

DeVry's electrical engineering technology program charges nearly double the typical debt load for this field—$28,782 versus a national median of $14,710—while delivering earnings that actually decline after graduation. Students start strong at $58,056, beating three-quarters of similar programs nationally, but see their income drop 10% to $52,465 by year four. That's an unusual pattern for a technical field where experience typically increases value.

The Ohio context makes this particularly striking. While this program matches the state median for first-year earnings, other Ohio schools demonstrate what's possible in this field. Stark State College graduates earn over $100,000 within a few years with far less debt, suggesting DeVry's premium pricing doesn't translate to premium outcomes. Even accounting for DeVry's mission serving first-generation students (55% receive Pell grants), the debt burden stands out as the program's weakest element—it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with less debt.

The initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 looks manageable on paper, but that calculation assumes earnings stay flat or grow. Here they shrink, making repayment progressively harder. For families weighing this investment, the question is whether DeVry's flexibility and accessibility justify paying twice the typical cost for outcomes that match, rather than exceed, what lower-debt Ohio programs deliver.