Accounting at Daytona State College

Comparable accounting programs in Florida suggest graduates from bachelor's degrees like this one earn around $51,837 in their first year—landing right at the state median but noticeably behind the $65,000+ that University of Florida graduates command. The estimated $19,028 in debt, however, runs significantly lower than both the state median ($22,615) and national median ($25,000), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 that's quite manageable for accounting.

Since Daytona State's actual outcomes aren't published due to small graduate sample sizes, these estimates draw from peer bachelor's accounting programs across Florida. The practical implication: if your child follows the typical path suggested by these comparable programs, they'd face less than four months of gross salary in debt—a reasonable starting point for an accounting career. The field offers clear professional licensing pathways (CPA certification) that can substantially boost earnings beyond these first-year figures.

The question is whether starting $4,000-$6,000 behind graduates from Florida's flagship universities matters for your family. For students planning to stay in regional markets or prioritizing lower debt, these estimates suggest a viable entry into accounting. But if your child is competitive for admission to UF or FSU, those programs demonstrate stronger early earnings that could compound over a career.