Computer Systems Analysis at University of Phoenix-Arizona

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 signals manageable borrowing for a tech-focused bachelor's degree, though the complete picture here relies on estimates drawn from peer programs nationwide. First-year earnings around $52,500—based on comparable Computer Systems Analysis programs—land right at the national median but trail what similar Arizona programs typically produce (closer to $56,000). By year four, actual reported earnings of nearly $70,000 suggest solid mid-career momentum, which matters more for long-term value than the initial gap.

The estimated $46,000 debt load matches both national and Arizona benchmarks for this credential, making it neither unusually expensive nor bargain-priced. What complicates the assessment is University of Phoenix's for-profit structure and distance-learning model—factors that influence both cost predictability and employer perception differently than traditional campus programs. The 45% Pell grant rate indicates this program serves many financially constrained families, for whom borrowing nearly a full year's initial salary requires careful planning around repayment timelines.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this specific program delivers outcomes close to those peer-program estimates. The year-four earnings figure is encouraging and actually reported, but without knowing how many Phoenix graduates land tech jobs immediately versus needing time to transition, you're making an investment decision with incomplete information about this particular pathway's track record.