Accounting at Bates Technical College

Tacoma offers a surprisingly low-debt entry into accounting, with peer programs nationally suggesting around $16,000 in student loans—well below both the national median of $19,354 and Washington's state median of $21,207 for this credential. The estimated first-year earnings of $37,001 would put this roughly in line with national outcomes, though interestingly above what other Washington community colleges with reported data are producing. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could potentially pay off their loans with less than six months of gross income, which represents a manageable starting point.

What's harder to gauge is whether Bates specifically delivers on this promise. These figures are drawn from peer programs because the school's graduate sample is too small to report publicly—common for specialized tracks at smaller technical colleges. Similar accounting programs across Washington show considerable variation, from around $29,000 to $33,000 in first-year earnings at comparable schools. The relatively low Pell grant rate (9%) might suggest either a different student demographic or limited financial aid packaging, which could affect actual borrowing patterns for your family.

For families needing an affordable accounting credential near Tacoma, the estimated debt burden makes this worth exploring further. Connect with the program directly about job placement specifics and whether their graduates are landing the bookkeeping and entry-level accounting roles that justify even this modest investment.