Detroit’s Apple Developer Academy launched in 2021 with bold goals. Apple partnered with Michigan State University to expand tech skills and improve job access. The program also tied into Apple’s Racial Equality and Justice Initiative. However, nearly five years later, questions now surround its value for taxpayers.
High Costs, Multiple Funding Sources
The academy has spent close to $30 million over four years. Apple covered more than a third of that total. Meanwhile, the Gilbert Family Foundation and university-linked funding added millions more. Still, public funds played a role. Michigan taxpayers contributed close to 30% of the total budget. An additional $6 million funded monthly living stipends for students.
Because the program fully subsidizes students, costs rise fast. Each participant receives equipment like MacBooks and iPhones. On average, spending reaches about $20,000 per student. That figure exceeds the per-student cost at many community colleges. Even so, officials stress that only a portion of this comes directly from taxpayers.
Enrollment Falls Short of Early Hopes
At launch, leaders hoped to support up to 1,000 students per year. In practice, far fewer enroll. A few hundred attend short introductory courses annually. Meanwhile, up to 200 students join the longer app-development program. About 50 return for a second year focused on client projects for local groups.
Despite lower numbers, interest remains strong. Thousands still apply each year, which shows demand for tech training in Detroit.
Job Results Show Mixed Success
Graduation rates sit near 70%, which leaders say beats many adult education programs. More importantly, about 71% of recent graduates moved into full-time jobs. This figure aligns with other coding and vocational schools nationwide.
Graduates also launched 13 businesses and built more than 60 apps. However, critics note gaps in transparency. Apple and its partners have not released detailed employment data, despite earlier commitments.
An Ongoing Debate
The Detroit academy delivers access, skills, and opportunity for many learners. Yet its high price keeps the debate alive. Supporters argue the impact justifies the cost. Critics want clearer proof. For now, the program continues—along with the questions that follow it.
