Computer and Information Sciences at University of Advancing Technology

The challenge with this program is straightforward: similar programs in Arizona produce first-year earnings around $48,000, yet UAT's estimated earnings of $36,000 sit well below that mark—closer to the national median but roughly $12,000 behind the state average. That gap matters significantly for an anxious parent evaluating return on investment, especially when the estimated debt of $18,400 represents about half a year's projected salary. While that debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it's higher than ideal when starting earnings are already trailing regional competitors.

The University of Phoenix program in Arizona, for context, reports that $48,000 median, suggesting the local tech market supports stronger outcomes for associate-level IT graduates. UAT's 95% acceptance rate and high Pell enrollment (58%) point to an access-focused mission, but the estimated earnings figure—derived from national peer programs—raises questions about whether graduates are landing the same quality jobs as those from other Arizona schools. The modest debt load provides some cushion, but only if those earnings estimates prove accurate for this specific program.

For families considering UAT, the key question is whether this school's specialized tech focus translates into better actual outcomes than these national benchmarks suggest, or whether Arizona's other options deliver the stronger earnings the state data implies. Request graduation and job placement rates directly from the school, and compare net cost carefully against Arizona's community colleges offering similar credentials.