Accounting at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's accounting certificate is an outlier in Texas, and the numbers tell a compelling story. While median earnings for this program statewide hover around $22,000, ACC graduates earn $62,261 in their first year—nearly triple the Texas median and ranking in the 95th percentile both nationally and within the state. That's significantly better than comparable Houston and Dallas programs. Four years out, earnings jump to nearly $90,000, suggesting graduates either gain valuable credentials or move into supervisory roles.

The debt picture does complicate things. At $22,000, borrowing is roughly 2.5 times the Texas median for accounting certificates and above what you'd typically see for a community college credential. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means graduates earn back their full debt load in roughly four months—a manageable burden given the strong starting salary. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests these results are reasonably reliable, not a statistical fluke from a handful of exceptional students.

For families weighing this option, the value proposition is straightforward: you'll pay more upfront than at most Texas community colleges, but you're buying into Austin's robust accounting job market with earnings potential that quickly justifies the investment. If your child can secure one of these spots, the financial return speaks for itself.