Shares of Apple's App Course have been under scrutiny due to its hefty price tag of $20,000 per student. The program, launched in 2021 as part of Apple's 200 million response to the Black Lives Matter protests, aims to expand opportunities for people of color in Detroit, the country's poorest big city. However, graduates of the Apple Developer Academy have raised concerns about the program's cost-of-living stipend and coursework.

According to officials, the academy has welcomed over 1,700 students, a racially diverse mix with varying levels of tech literacy and financial flexibility. About 600 students have completed its 10-month course of half-days at Michigan State University, which cosponsors the Apple-branded and Apple-focused program. WIRED reviewed contracts and budgets and spoke with officials and graduates for the first in-depth examination of the nearly 30 million initiative.

Lizmary Fernandez, a 25-year-old who attended the program, expressed her disappointment with the experience. "A lot of us got on food stamps," she said. "The cost-of-living stipend was lacking, and the coursework was insufficient for landing a coding job." Fernandez, who is now a flight attendant and preparing to apply to law school, stated that coding is not something she has returned to since completing the program. "I didn't have the experience or portfolio," she added.

The Apple Developer Academy's program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in developing iPhone apps. The course covers topics such as Swift programming, iOS development, and app design. However, graduates have expressed concerns that the program's focus on Apple-specific skills may limit their job prospects in the broader tech industry.

The program's cosponsor, Michigan State University, has defended the initiative, stating that it provides students with a unique opportunity to gain experience in the tech industry. "We believe that the Apple Developer Academy is an excellent program that provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the tech industry," said a university spokesperson.

Despite the concerns raised by graduates, the Apple Developer Academy has continued to expand its program. In 2022, the academy announced plans to launch a new program in Chicago, aimed at providing training and job opportunities for young people in the city's tech industry.

The future of the Apple Developer Academy remains uncertain, as officials continue to evaluate the program's effectiveness and address the concerns raised by graduates. As the tech industry continues to evolve, the need for programs that provide training and job opportunities for underrepresented groups remains a pressing issue.