Analysis
An associate's degree in accounting at CBT Technology Institute would leave students with roughly $24,000 in debt—a figure derived from national patterns for similar private institutions, since this program's actual outcomes aren't publicly reported. The estimated first-year earnings of about $39,000 align with Florida's state median for associate-level accounting programs, suggesting the program performs within expected ranges for the field and credential level.
What makes this figure harder to interpret is the school's student population: 100% receive Pell grants, indicating these students start with significant financial need. While a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.61 is generally manageable for an accounting credential that should lead to steady employment, the comparison to Florida's top-performing programs is sobering. Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale's accounting graduates, for instance, earn nearly $10,000 more in their first year—a substantial difference when you're paying down loans.
The practical question is whether this program offers enough value given the uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer programs rather than actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting on CBT following industry norms. If your child has admission offers from programs with reported data—particularly community colleges like Valencia or Broward, which show similar earnings with likely lower costs—those represent more transparent options with known track records.
Where CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all accounting associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (40 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13,150 | $39,114* | — | $23,823* | — | |
| $24,136 | $48,117* | $43,871 | $29,000* | 0.60 | |
| $15,117 | $43,765* | $44,358 | $23,823* | 0.54 | |
| $16,088 | $41,019* | — | $24,811* | 0.60 | |
| $2,474 | $37,209* | $35,810 | $14,806* | 0.40 | |
| $2,830 | $36,970* | $36,384 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $37,000* | — | $19,354* | 0.52 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Financial Examiners
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CBT Technology Institute-Main Campus, approximately 100% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.