Accounting at Centura College-Newport News

A debt load of $23,823 for an associate degree is considerable, especially when earnings from comparable Virginia accounting programs hover around $37,000 in the first year. That ratio—roughly 64 cents of debt for every dollar earned—isn't catastrophic, but it's higher than what many community colleges produce in this field. With 80% of students here receiving Pell grants, most families will need to scrutinize whether this private institution's price tag delivers enough advantage over cheaper alternatives like Tidewater Community College, where similar credentials cost less even if early earnings run a few thousand dollars lower.

What makes this evaluation trickier is that we're working with estimates rather than actual outcomes for Centura's accounting graduates specifically. The earnings figure comes from Virginia's median across just three programs, while the debt estimate draws from national data across similar private institutions. That means your child's actual experience could differ—possibly better if Centura has strong employer connections in Newport News, or worse if job placement falls short. The program aligns with national norms for associate-level accounting earnings, but those outcomes typically come with less debt at public colleges.

The practical question: can your family afford monthly loan payments of roughly $265 on a starting salary around $37,000? If that feels tight—and for most households earning in that range, it would be—explore whether nearby community colleges offer equivalent credentials that lead to the same CPA-track opportunities at half the cost.