Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,752/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,752/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 18.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $31,553 |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $124,271 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,487 | $31,196 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $88,250 | $15,273 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Certificate | $70,456 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $67,660 | $34,165 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $65,544 | $39,142 |
| Computer Programming. | Certificate | $63,005 | $7,125 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $60,173 | $38,912 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $58,221 | $7,125 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $57,544 |
The Risk Factor
18.4% of students at University of Phoenix-California graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return at University of Phoenix-California is weak, and the numbers make that plain. Median earnings ten years out land at $37,752, and only 18.4% of students finish. You are borrowing around $31,553 against a degree that most people here never complete, which is the central risk: pay the tuition, take on the debt, and leave without the credential that was supposed to justify it.
The program data tells a split story. Nursing is the one clear win. You earn $88,250 and carry only about $15,273 in debt, so the return there is strong and the debt stays manageable. Everything else is shakier. Computer and information sciences pays $67,660 but comes with roughly $34,165 in debt. Computer programming pays $54,967 against nearly $46,918 borrowed, and IT administration pays $49,842 against $41,154. In those tech programs you take on more debt for less payoff, so the margin gets thin fast.
The pattern is simple: nursing pays off, the computing majors are a gamble where your debt often outruns your salary. If you are not going into nursing here, the earnings floor sits far below what the borrowing assumes.
This school fits you if you are set on nursing and want a flexible for-profit format to get there. If you are aiming at a tech career, the debt-to-earnings math works against you, and you can likely find cheaper paths to the same salary.
On net price, lower-income families should weigh the aid offered tier by tier before committing, because the median debt load here is real money against a $37,752 median outcome. The most important number to protect against is that 18.4% graduation rate. If you enroll, plan around finishing, since the debt lands whether or not the degree does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Phoenix-California worth the cost?
University of Phoenix-California has poor overall value with graduates earning just $37,752 ten years after enrollment and carrying median debt of $31,553. The extremely low 18% graduation rate means most students leave without a degree but may still have debt.
What programs at University of Phoenix-California have good ROI?
Nursing programs offer the best return, with some graduates earning $88,250 to $124,271 annually. Computer science graduates earn around $67,660, while general health sciences graduates make $70,456.
How much debt do University of Phoenix-California graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $31,553, which is concerning given the low average earnings of $37,752. This debt-to-income ratio makes loan repayment difficult for many graduates.
What is the graduation rate at University of Phoenix-California?
Only 18.4% of students graduate from University of Phoenix-California. This means over 80% of students who enroll never complete their degree, making it a high-risk investment for most students.