Accounting at Cabrillo College

California's community college accounting programs typically produce first-year earnings around $38,000, and Cabrillo's estimated $37,000 falls just shy of this benchmark—though with no reported data for this specific program, it's difficult to know whether graduates actually match peer outcomes. The estimated debt load of roughly $16,000 is notably lower than the $17,400 median for California accounting associate's degrees, which would represent a real advantage if accurate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests manageable repayment—about five months of gross income to cover the full debt amount. Compared to nearby Mt. San Antonio College's reported $34,600 in earnings, the estimated figure here looks reasonable for the Central Coast market, though Cabrillo graduates might face stiffer competition from four-year accounting programs at nearby UC Santa Cruz or San Jose State. California's robust accounting job market does favor community college graduates willing to start in bookkeeping or accounts payable roles and work toward their CPA.

Without actual outcome data, your best move is contacting Cabrillo's career services directly to ask about employer partnerships and job placement rates for accounting graduates. The estimated figures suggest workable economics if they hold true, but verification matters when you're looking at a two-year investment in a competitive field.