Accounting at Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College's accounting certificate punches well above its weight class. First-year earnings of $57,294 dwarf not just the typical California accounting certificate outcome ($27,620) but even the strongest comparable programs in the state—graduates here earn over $20,000 more annually than those from the next-best program with reported data. While the $15,516 debt estimate comes from similar certificate programs nationally rather than Cabrillo's actual graduates, this 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio would still represent exceptional value even if actual borrowing ran higher.

The earnings advantage is substantial enough to overcome the uncertainty around precise debt figures. Peer certificate programs in California typically carry far less debt (around $7,200 median), but even if Cabrillo's students borrowed twice the estimated amount, they'd still reach a manageable ratio given these income levels. The question isn't whether this program delivers strong outcomes—it clearly does for employment—but whether your student actually needs to borrow for a certificate program at a community college, where costs are often manageable through part-time work or limited borrowing.

For an accounting credential that appears to open doors to $57,000+ positions immediately, this looks like a solid investment. Just understand you're working with earnings strength that's verified and debt levels that are educated guesses based on similar schools.