Finance and Financial Management Services at University of Phoenix-Arizona

University of Phoenix's finance program launches graduates into remarkably strong first-year earnings of nearly $71,000—outpacing the national median by $17,000 and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That initial success positions this program competitively with Arizona's public universities, sitting in the 60th percentile statewide and trailing only U of A by a few thousand dollars.

The challenge lies in the trajectory and the price tag. Earnings drop 17% by year four to $59,000, while the debt load of $48,469 is more than double both the national and Arizona medians for finance programs. You're essentially paying premium prices (this ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for debt burden) for outcomes that start strong but don't maintain their advantage. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 means your child would owe roughly eight months' salary—manageable but higher than ideal, especially given the downward earnings trend.

For a working adult leveraging Phoenix's online flexibility while employed, that strong first-year number suggests the degree helps with immediate advancement. But traditional students should recognize they're paying significantly more than they would at Arizona's public universities while facing uncertain long-term returns. If your child is already working in finance and needs the credential for promotion, this could work. If they're starting from scratch, ASU or U of A offer similar outcomes with half the debt.