Accounting at Community College of Aurora

Four years out, graduates from this program earn $43,030—a solid trajectory that suggests the accounting credential delivers practical value beyond entry-level roles. The estimated first-year figure of $37,000, drawn from national peer programs, aligns closely with what other Colorado accounting associate's degrees produce, and the jump to over $43,000 by year four indicates genuine career progression rather than stagnation.

The estimated debt load of roughly $16,000 compares favorably to both the state median ($22,944) and national benchmark ($19,354) for similar programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, graduates would need less than six months of gross pay to cover their borrowing—manageable territory for an associate's degree that appears to open doors in a field with clear advancement pathways. That the school serves relatively few Pell recipients (16%) suggests a student body that may have additional resources, though it doesn't diminish the program's core economics.

The real strength here is the four-year earnings figure, which outpaces both the state and national medians and suggests this program competes effectively with Colorado's better-known community college options. For a two-year credential in a field with steady demand, the numbers point toward reasonable risk.