Marketing at University of Phoenix-Arizona

University of Phoenix's marketing certificate graduates earn $63,549 within their first year—42% more than Arizona's median for this program and enough to rank in the 80th percentile statewide. That's substantially higher than what Arizona State and Northern Arizona graduates earn from comparable programs. At a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, graduates owe roughly four months' salary, which is manageable by any standard and places this program in the best quartile nationally for debt burden.

The premium positioning makes sense: University of Phoenix serves a large population of working adults (45% receive Pell grants), many of whom likely already have career momentum that a focused marketing credential accelerates. The $22,060 in debt is only slightly above Arizona's median, but the earnings premium more than compensates. This isn't theoretical value—the program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for first-year earnings.

For parents worried about for-profit skepticism or online program quality, the numbers tell a different story here. Your student would graduate with less debt than most Arizona marketing certificate holders while earning significantly more. That's a straightforward value equation, especially if they're already working and can leverage the credential immediately.