Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Arizona vary significantly by field of study, with earnings spanning from $36,795 to $100,241 across different majors. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this data to compare how different academic paths perform in the labor market and align with your career goals.
Analyzing 81 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate standout performance across earnings, national ranking, and program size.
#82 nationally
$65K median earnings
Computer Science leads University of Arizona programs with $100,241 median earnings, followed by Banking and Financial Support Services at $84,392 and Mechanical Engineering at $84,259. Information Resources Management graduates earn $81,178, while Accounting Technology graduates achieve $77,183. These high-earning programs span technical and business fields, offering students multiple pathways to strong financial outcomes with manageable debt levels.
Several University of Arizona programs achieve exceptional national rankings, with the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program ranking #8 nationally and serving specialized populations. Computer Science ranks #83 nationally while Banking and Financial Support Services achieves #40 national ranking. Communication and Media Studies ranks #24 nationally, and Algebra and Number Theory reaches #40 nationally. These rankings reflect program quality relative to similar programs nationwide, providing students confidence in their educational investment decisions.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt levels, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Arizona.
Engineering and technology programs at University of Arizona deliver strong earnings outcomes with Computer Science leading at $100,241 median earnings. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $84,259, ranking among the top 70 programs nationally.
These programs stand out for combining solid national rankings with manageable debt levels, typically under $30,000. Students pursuing these technical paths can expect excellent affordability ratings and standard payoff timelines, making this group well-suited for those prioritizing both earnings potential and debt management.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #82 |
Program rankings reflect actual labor market outcomes based on Department of Education College Scorecard data tracking graduates' earnings and debt levels. Rankings measure post-graduation earnings rather than academic reputation, helping students make career-focused decisions. Programs require minimum cohort sizes for reliable data inclusion. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall program effectiveness. Different programs at the same institution produce varied outcomes based on career demand, industry compensation, and graduate preparation, explaining why rankings vary significantly within the same university. This outcomes-based methodology provides actionable intelligence for students comparing program investments and expected returns.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion metrics to identify programs delivering optimal return on investment. Communication and Media Studies achieves a 91.0 value score through strong earnings and reasonable debt. Banking and Financial Support Services scores 80.9, while Algebra and Number Theory reaches 81.2. These programs balance strong outcomes with manageable costs, providing excellent value propositions for students.
Business programs generally achieve excellent affordability ratings, with most showing payments under 8% of discretionary income. Communication and Media Studies, Applied Economics, and several business concentrations feature excellent affordability with standard payoff expectations. Psychology and Health programs show good to manageable ratings with extended but reasonable payoff timelines.
| $100,241★ |
| $28,229 |
| 176 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #34 | $95,718 | — | 128 |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering. | #2 | $95,216 | — | 21 |
| Systems Engineering. | #6 | $86,600 | — | 52 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #69 | $85,855 | — | 71 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #69 | $84,259 | $23,406 | 128 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #41 | $82,720 | — | 36 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #69 | $81,821 | — | 30 |
| Engineering Design.Small sample | #18 | $73,215 | — | 19 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #57 | $72,440 | — | 42 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #178 | $69,515 | $61,307 | 97 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering.Small sample | #7 | $63,005 | — | 17 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #91 | $55,964 | — | 52 |
| Computer Graphics. | #20 | $33,446 | $52,215 | 97 |
Business and economics programs show varied outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services achieving exceptional $84,392 earnings and ranking #40 nationally. Applied Economics delivers solid $62,527 outcomes while Information Resources Management reaches $81,178.
Some programs like Business Administration show higher debt relative to earnings. This group offers multiple pathways with different risk-reward profiles, best suited for students who can navigate program-specific debt and earnings variations to optimize their investment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #40 | $84,392★ | $33,310 | 212 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #14 | $82,869 | — | 55 |
| Information Resources Management. | #21 | $81,178 | $37,345 | 172 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #55 | $77,183 | $38,525 | 153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other. | #3 | $76,811 | $42,128 | 49 |
| Digital Marketing. | #55 | $70,338 | $56,825 | 200 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | #20 | $63,220 | $41,755 | 181 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #271 | $63,033 | $71,850 | 207 |
Health programs at University of Arizona focus on behavioral and public health approaches, with Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates earning $47,452 and ranking #41 nationally. These programs typically show good affordability ratings with extended but manageable payoff timelines.
The field emphasizes service-oriented career paths that may prioritize long-term impact over maximum earnings. This group fits students committed to health and wellness careers who value meaningful work alongside reasonable financial outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #110 | $77,151★ | $17,968 | 104 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #75 | $51,149 | — | 54 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #42 | $47,452 | $37,692 | 209 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling. | #15 | $40,196 | $37,736 | 137 |
Sciences and mathematics programs demonstrate strong earning potential with Algebra and Number Theory graduates earning $69,476. Aerospace Physiology and Medicine provides unique specialization with $41,210 outcomes and national recognition, ranking #19 nationally.
These programs typically feature excellent affordability ratings with manageable debt levels. This group serves students seeking specialized scientific training with solid career prospects and reasonable borrowing requirements.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials Chemistry.Small sample | #2 | $83,498★ | — | 17 |
| Acoustics. | #13 | $81,191 | $45,900 | 74 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #42 | $69,476 | $19,060 | 137 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #33 | $64,746 | — | 39 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. | #1 🏆 | $62,072 | — | 93 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #18 | $57,705 | — | 62 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #28 | $50,184 | $19,150 | 99 |
| Anatomy. | #12 | $48,797 | $20,908 | 139 |
| Aquatic Biology/Limnology.Small sample | #13 | $46,565 | — | 16 |
| Immunology. | #21 | $46,380 | $14,000 | 48 |
| Biology, General. | #282 | $44,256 | $38,112 | 104 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #62 | $42,855 | — | 80 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine. | #18 | $41,210 | $31,817 | 304 |
Social sciences programs offer diverse career pathways with American Government and Politics graduates earning $53,016 and Applied Economics reaching $62,527. Psychology represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 422 students annually with $44,609 median earnings.
These programs generally feature excellent to good affordability ratings. This group serves students interested in human behavior, policy, and social systems who value intellectual engagement alongside reasonable economic outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #135 | $62,527★ | $42,000 | 241 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #106 | $53,016 | $29,115 | 205 |
| Public Administration, Other. | #17 | $51,630 | — | 49 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #210 | $45,097 | $56,505 | 68 |
| Psychology, General. | #171 | $44,609 | $36,000 | 422 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #69 | $43,518 | — | 23 |
| Anthropology, General. | #55 | $39,012 | $29,000 | 78 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience. | #49 | $28,494 | $32,070 | 56 |
Communication and Media Studies delivers strong $63,294 earnings while ranking #24 nationally, demonstrating the program's competitive positioning. With 280 graduates annually, this represents a substantial program with proven career outcomes.
The program achieves excellent affordability ratings with standard payoff expectations. This field suits students interested in media, public relations, and communication industries who want both creative engagement and solid financial prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #23 | $63,294★ | $59,000 | 280 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #60 | $47,608 | $50,055 | 84 |
Limited representation in available earnings data, but programs in this category typically emphasize critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding. These fields often prepare students for diverse career paths including education, nonprofit work, and creative industries.
Students should expect varied earnings outcomes and consider the non-monetary benefits of liberal arts education when evaluating these programs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Linguistics. | #20 | $50,490★ | — | 26 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #24 | $47,061 | — | 39 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #11 | $45,458 | $40,120 | 73 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #67 | $44,676 | $16,300 | 71 |
| American History (United States). | #206 | $41,416 | $40,282 | 61 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #106 | $40,051 | — | 97 |
| Creative Writing. | #29 | $39,867 | $23,000 | 59 |
| Brass Instruments. | #50 | $39,581 | — | 41 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #144 | $32,202 | — | 92 |
| Buddhist Studies.Small sample | #16 | $25,194 | — | 11 |
| Acting. | #110 | $24,612 | $24,500 | 57 |
| Danish Language and Literature.Small sample | #7 | $23,351 | — | 19 |
| Ballet. | #32 | $18,315 | — | 28 |
Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. leads education with 44K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #131 | $43,650★ | $40,425 | 113 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #133 | $43,618 | — | 21 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other. | — | $41,978 | $36,801 | 84 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #65 | $40,716 | — | 42 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 49K on average, with 2 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #19 | $62,478★ | — | 41 |
| Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other.Small sample | #3 | $49,154 | — | 12 |
| Environmental Science. | #57 | $45,144 | $19,420 | 116 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding.Small sample | #40 | $44,164 | — | 19 |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs, Other. | #3 | $41,707 | — | 65 |
Interdisciplinary programs include the unique Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program, which ranks #8 nationally and serves specialized student populations with $46,244 median earnings. These programs often address specific career niches or serve students with unique educational needs.
With good affordability ratings, this category provides pathways for students whose interests span multiple disciplines or require specialized support.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning. | #1 🏆 | $64,631★ | $85,850 | 79 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other. | — | $53,644 | — | 24 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other. | #18 | $47,255 | — | 49 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #7 | $47,022 | $28,870 | 135 |
| Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program. | #8 | $46,244 | $41,640 | 305 |
| African Studies. | #32 | $45,324 | — | 42 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #23 | $43,457 | $21,310 | 92 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | #36 | $42,966 | — | 27 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #61 | $38,073 | — | 31 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other. | #3 | $36,795 | $35,654 | 152 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
