Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,703
43rd percentile
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$18,516
4% below national median

Analysis

Cincinnati State's accounting associate program shows promising earnings growth but comes with a significant caveat: these numbers reflect fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable than data from larger programs. That said, the trajectory is encouraging—graduates see their earnings jump 40% from $35,703 to nearly $50,000 by year four, which is solid progression for an associate degree. The program performs better than 60% of Ohio accounting programs despite charging less debt than the state median ($18,516 versus $24,750).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe about six months' salary, which is manageable territory. However, first-year earnings trail programs like Cuyahoga Community College by $9,000, suggesting geographic or employer network differences within Ohio matter. The 30% Pell Grant rate indicates this program serves a mix of students, and the relatively modest debt load makes it accessible even for families without much financial cushion.

If your child attends Cincinnati State for accounting, they'll likely start below where some other Ohio programs place graduates, but the strong earnings growth suggests the credential gains value over time. Just remember: with such a small sample, an incoming class could see quite different outcomes. For families prioritizing low debt and steady career progression over maximizing starting salary, this represents a reasonable path—just keep expectations realistic about that first-year paycheck.

Where Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Cincinnati State Technical and Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College$35,703$49,894+40%
Cuyahoga Community College District$44,532$46,606+5%
Bryant & Stratton College-Parma$36,958$38,715+5%
Ohio Business College-Sheffield$34,785$36,239+4%
Ohio Business College-Sandusky$34,785$36,239+4%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (57 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnati$5,400$35,703$49,894$18,5160.52
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland$3,736$44,532$46,606$15,9310.36
Stark State CollegeNorth Canton$4,670$38,671$35,917$19,4550.50
Bryant & Stratton College-ParmaParma$19,542$36,958$38,715$26,2910.71
Ohio Business College-SheffieldSheffield Village$9,385$34,785$36,239$32,3610.93
Ohio Business College-SanduskySandusky$9,385$34,785$36,239$32,3610.93
National Median$37,000$19,3540.52

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 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, approximately 30% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 35 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.