Community Organization and Advocacy at University of Phoenix-California

University of Phoenix's Community Organization and Advocacy program carries one of the highest debt loads in California—$50,765 versus a state median of just $17,750. That's nearly three times what comparable California programs typically require, while first-year earnings of $39,269 match the state median exactly. You're paying significantly more for the same economic outcome, which makes the value equation difficult to justify when Cal State Dominguez Hills graduates earn $41,991 with presumably lower debt, or UC Santa Cruz grads start at similar earnings levels.

The debt burden here translates to owing 1.29 times your first year's salary, meaning your child would need to dedicate a substantial portion of early-career income to loan repayment. While the program does perform in the 60th percentile among California schools for earnings, that's misleading given there are only four programs statewide—the comparison pool is too small to be meaningful. Nationally, this program sits below the median at the 38th percentile.

For a field centered on social change and advocacy—traditionally modest-paying work—entering the workforce with over $50,000 in debt creates real tension between career calling and financial stability. Unless your family has specific reasons for choosing University of Phoenix over state schools offering this program, the debt differential alone should steer you toward public alternatives.