Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Phoenix-California

University of Phoenix-California's business program delivers surprisingly strong initial earnings—$58,268 places graduates in the 93rd percentile nationally, well above the national median of $45,703. However, this premium comes at a significant cost, with median debt of $42,386 that's double both the national ($26,000) and California ($21,000) averages for business programs.

The debt picture is concerning but manageable. While graduates carry substantially more debt than peers elsewhere, the strong first-year earnings create a debt-to-income ratio of 0.73, which is reasonable for immediate post-graduation finances. More troubling is the earnings trajectory—graduates actually earn less four years out ($56,533) than in their first year, showing negative 3% growth when most programs see career progression. Among California's 98 business programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it's middle-of-the-pack within the state despite the high national ranking.

For families considering this investment, the program delivers immediate earning power but at premium pricing typical of for-profit education. The high debt load becomes more problematic given the lack of earnings growth over time. Unless your child specifically needs the flexibility that University of Phoenix offers, comparable programs at California State Universities would likely provide better long-term value with significantly lower debt burdens.