Computer Software and Media Applications at Western Governors University

Western Governors University's online software degree produces exceptional results that blow past both state and national competitors. Graduates earn $95,292 in their first year—nearly triple Utah's median for this degree and more than double the national median. Among the 197 schools offering this program nationwide, WGU ranks in the 95th percentile for earnings, and it dominates Utah's market entirely, with graduates earning roughly $62,000 more than peers from the University of Utah or Utah Valley University.

The debt picture strengthens the case further. At $23,287, borrowing sits right at Utah's median and slightly below the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24. That means graduates can theoretically pay off their entire loan balance in about three months of work. For a competency-based online program that serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (35%), these outcomes suggest WGU has cracked the code on delivering real software skills that employers value.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers could shift somewhat, but the margin of superiority here is so wide that minor fluctuations wouldn't change the fundamental story. If your child is self-directed enough to thrive in an online, self-paced environment, this program delivers strong ROI with manageable debt—a combination that's surprisingly rare even among traditional tech programs.