Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at DeVry University-Virginia

DeVry University-Virginia's computer engineering technology program starts graduates at nearly $49,000—right at the national median but notably below the $54,000 typical for Virginia programs. That 40th percentile state ranking matters because students often choose schools based on proximity and in-state options, and here DeVry lags behind the state average by roughly $5,000 annually. The bigger concern is the debt load: at $55,425, it's nearly double the national median for this degree and among the highest 5% nationally. Graduates are leaving with more than a full year's starting salary in debt, which translates to substantial monthly payments that will eat into that initial paycheck.

The trajectory improves significantly—earnings jump 49% to nearly $73,000 by year four, which is strong growth. That later-career earning power helps explain why students might accept the higher debt burden. Still, the math requires careful consideration. Borrowing $55,000 to reach median national earnings (when Virginia peers typically earn more for less debt) means betting heavily on that mid-career growth materializing.

For families comparing options, ECPI University demonstrates that Virginia students can start at $59,000 with this degree—$10,000 more than DeVry's graduates earn initially. If your child is committed to this field and considering DeVry specifically, ensure they're minimizing borrowing through scholarships or part-time work, because that debt load makes an already tight first-year budget even tighter.