Is the $20,000 Apple’s App Development Course Justifiable?

Lizmary Fernandez, pivoting from her legal studies toward becoming an immigration attorney, enrolled in Apple’s complimentary app development program. Situated in Detroit, the Apple Developer Academy was introduced in reaction to the Black Lives Matter movements, seeking to elevate career opportunities for minorities in one of the nation’s economically struggling metropolitan areas.

However, Fernandez criticized the stipend for subsistence as inadequate, admitting, “Many of us relied on food assistance,” and expressed dissatisfaction with the course content in preparing for a coding career. “I lacked the necessary experience and portfolio,” the 25-year-old commented. Currently a flight attendant, she is gearing up to reapply to law school, stating coding is no longer her focus.

Since its inception in 2021, over 1,700 individuals have joined the academy. Trainees like Fernandez, hailing from various racial backgrounds and possessing different levels of tech literacy and economic means, account for around 600 graduates who have completed the 10-month course held in collaboration with Michigan State University, which co-hosts this Apple-centric initiative.

Evaluating the Outcomes

Conversations with seven alumni revealed their positive experiences. They valued mentoring from former students. Fernandez was notably impressed with the emphasis on creating inclusive applications and spoke positively of Apple representatives who shared their insights candidly. “Their intentions were sincere,” she observed.

The program has an impact by introducing minorities to novel career avenues. Min Thu Khine credited the academy for changing his life, aspiring to become a software engineer at Apple, while currently mentoring others and working at the Apple Store Genius Bar.

Experts in tech education, such as Quinn Burke, have lauded the academy for its comprehensive in-person instruction, suggesting it surpasses the quality of many proliferating coding bootcamps over the past decade.

However, the open-entry policy introduces challenges in teaching dynamics and success measurement. Entire families have enrolled, including some mothers with their daughters, and students range widely in age with some in their 30s and others older, reflecting diverse motivations and learning goals.

Though the school provides iPhones and MacBooks and estimates spending approximately $20,000 per student—twice the contribution from state and local municipalities—the stipend was insufficient according to Fernandez, who supplemented her income with waitressing.

Gordon Shukwit, managing the program for Apple in Detroit and others established since 2013, considers student financial support a perennial area of enhancement. Despite inquiries, Michigan State University refrained from discussing per-student expenditures or equating them to community college standards, instead asserting the uniqueness of the program.

Approximately 70% of students complete the program, which Sarah Gretter from Michigan State highlights as commendable for adult education, indicating an objective for students to advance to either employment or further studies.

Graduates, constituting 71% over the past two years, have entered full-time roles across diverse sectors. However, Amy J. Ko from the University of Washington cautions that while the numbers are typical for coding institutions, this pales in comparison to her department’s 95% placement rate for undergraduates.

The academy boasts of inspiring creation, having spawned numerous apps and businesses. But requests for transparent employment statistics have been declined by Apple, Michigan State, and its significant financial contributor, the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Though some reports have surfaced following media inquiries, they are not comprehensive enough to allow detailed analysis.

Financial Contributions

As the first and sole academy of Apple in the USA, its founding was propelled by Apple's CEO Tim Cook, who emphasized the necessity for the company to be a pioneering force in racial equality. The collaboration with Michigan State University as a partner was a natural fit due to a pre-existing undergraduate program centering on app design already supported by Apple.

While Apple provides the curriculum and technology, Michigan State manages the logistics—teaching staff, physical spaces, and student recruitment. There is an emphasis on using Apple-approved software, although students are free to explore alternative platforms.

The operational budget is shared by Apple, Michigan State, and the Gilbert Family Foundation. The foundation's significant financial commitment is part of building stronger ties with the Detroit environment, endeavors the educational institutions cannot easily achieve independently.

Despite the provision of stipends, some students voiced concerns of financial restrictions impacting their education experience. Nevertheless, for others, such as Tyson Walker II, whose financial burden was eased allowing some life improvements, the support was invaluable.

Apple's Shukwit is attentive to requests for added content and is open to student suggestions, adapting the curriculum accordingly. Embracing innovation, recent students are integrating AI to automatically generate code but are required to understand its entirety. Alumni access to virtual AI workshops is also available, reaffirming their continued educational journey.