Computer Programming at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University's computer programming bachelor's hits the middle of the pack nationally but looks more competitive within Arizona, where it ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings. The $52,190 starting salary edges slightly above the national median, though it falls well short of what University of Phoenix grads earn ($74,151). The debt load of $26,702 is notably better than both state and national medians—you're looking at roughly six months of gross pay to cover what graduates owe, which is manageable for a technical degree.

The real caution here is the sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly with the next cohort. This also raises questions about program maturity and employer relationships. For a 60% admission-rate school serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, the outcomes appear solid but unspectacular. Your child won't graduate with crushing debt, but they're also unlikely to land the higher-paying tech positions that Arizona clearly offers to grads from competing programs.

If cost containment matters more than maximizing earning potential, this program does its job. But if your child can gain admission to a more established computer science program—even at a higher sticker price—the earnings gap might justify the investment. The University of Phoenix comparison is particularly striking and worth investigating.