Accounting at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College

An estimated $16,000 in debt against first-year earnings of $37,000 puts this program near the national median for associate-level accounting, but notably below what similar programs in Illinois typically deliver. Other accounting associate degrees in the state produce median earnings around $46,000—about $9,000 more annually—with comparable or slightly higher debt loads. That gap matters when you're weighing the value of staying local versus considering nearby alternatives like College of DuPage, where graduates report earnings near $48,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests manageable repayment for graduates who land in their field, but the earnings estimate raises questions about whether this program connects students to the stronger-paying accounting roles that exist in the Chicago market. Peer programs across Illinois demonstrate that associate-degree holders in accounting can access significantly higher wages, which means the school's network, curriculum focus, or employer relationships may play an outsized role in determining outcomes here.

For parents, the takeaway is this: the financials aren't prohibitive, but the estimated earnings suggest you should investigate why this program appears to underperform the state average. Ask about job placement rates, whether graduates are staying in Chicago (where accounting wages run higher), and how the program compares to nearby community colleges with stronger reported outcomes before committing.