Computer Software and Media Applications at Laurus College

Comparable software programs in California produce estimated first-year earnings around $45,387—right at the state median but above the national figure of $38,234. That's the good news for Laurus College's bachelor's program. The concerning part is the estimated $41,970 in debt, which sits considerably above both the national median ($27,000) and California's typical debt load ($35,358) for this credential.

A debt-to-earnings ratio near 0.92 means graduates would need to dedicate nearly their entire first year's salary just to cover what they borrowed. For context, peer programs in California show a dramatic earnings spread—from USC grads earning over $100K to DeVry grads starting around $32K. Without actual outcome data for Laurus, it's impossible to know where their graduates land within this range, though the school serves predominantly Pell-eligible students (67%), a population that typically faces greater post-graduation financial pressure.

The core question is whether this particular program can deliver outcomes closer to the higher-performing California schools or the lower end. Given the elevated debt estimate and the uncertainty around actual graduate outcomes, parents should request concrete placement data directly from Laurus—where do their software graduates actually work, and what do they earn? Without that transparency, you're essentially betting $42K that their outcomes match the state average rather than fall below it.