Accounting at Delgado Community College

Delgado's accounting associate program lands squarely in the middle of Louisiana's options but trails the national median by about $7,500 in first-year earnings. The $29,506 starting salary puts graduates in the 40th percentile statewide—functional but unremarkable, especially when SOWELA Technical Community College produces slightly better outcomes just across the state. The bright spot here is steady earnings growth: graduates see a 27% increase to $37,552 by year four, eventually matching the national average even if they don't start there.

The debt load deserves careful attention. At $25,750, graduates carry nearly a full year's starting salary in loans—higher than 91% of accounting programs nationwide. This creates immediate financial pressure for new graduates, though the relatively strong earnings trajectory helps. The program serves a predominantly low-income population (62% Pell recipients), which makes that debt burden particularly meaningful for families evaluating affordability.

This program works for students committed to staying in Louisiana and patient about earnings growth, but it's not a standout value. If your child can access SOWELA or secure lower debt through scholarships, those paths offer clearer wins. The key question is whether the specific location advantages of attending in New Orleans offset starting behind peers elsewhere in the state.