Accounting at DeVry University-Texas

DeVry University-Texas's accounting program carries debt levels more than double the Texas median ($54,380 vs. $22,270), which should raise immediate concerns given that earnings barely move over the first four years of graduates' careers. While first-year earnings of $54,264 exceed both national and state medians—ranking in the 60th percentile among Texas accounting programs—that initial advantage disappears quickly. By year four, earnings essentially flatline at $54,099, suggesting graduates may be hitting a career ceiling that makes the debt burden harder to justify.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.00 means graduates start their careers owing roughly what they'll earn in their first year—a challenging position when entry-level accountants at UT Austin or Texas A&M command $68,000+ with typically lower debt loads. The program serves a significant population of students from lower-income backgrounds (37% receive Pell grants), but the financial math doesn't favor them: they're taking on substantially more debt for earnings that plateau immediately rather than growing.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether the convenience or accessibility of DeVry justifies debt levels that dwarf what students would carry at Texas public universities offering similar or better career outcomes. Unless your child has specific constraints that make traditional four-year programs unfeasible, the combination of high debt and stagnant earnings makes this a risky investment compared to in-state alternatives.