Accounting (Associate's Degree) at Central Carolina Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,233

Est. from SC median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$15,979

Est. from national median (70 programs)

Analysis

South Carolina's accounting associate programs cluster tightly around $41,000 in first-year earnings, and Central Carolina Technical College's estimated outcomes align with this state pattern. With projected debt of roughly $16,000—below both the state and national medians—students would face monthly payments around $175 on a standard plan, manageable on an entry-level accounting salary that translates to about $3,400 monthly before taxes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 suggests reasonable returns, though it's worth noting these estimates come from peer programs across South Carolina rather than Central Carolina's specific track record. The school serves a substantial Pell-eligible population (44%), and the relatively modest debt burden matters particularly for students without family financial cushion. Similar programs at Greenville Tech and Midlands Tech report actual outcomes in the same range, lending credibility to these projections.

For families considering this path, the numbers suggest solid community college value: prepare for accounting work without the debt load of a four-year degree. The caveat is that career advancement in accounting often requires a bachelor's degree and CPA credentials, so view this as either a stepping stone or an entry point to bookkeeping and basic accounting roles rather than a complete credential for professional accountancy.

Where Central Carolina Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter	$5,715	$41,233*	—	$15,979*	—
Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville	$5,639	$41,619*	$39,783	—*	—
Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia	$4,788	$41,233*	$33,214	$19,675*	0.48
York Technical CollegeRock Hill	$5,512	$36,520*	$33,060	$13,916*	0.38
National Median	—	$37,000*	—	$19,354*	0.52

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

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 Central Carolina Technical College, approximately 44% 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 3 similar programs in SC. Actual outcomes may vary.