Accounting at Ensign College

Borrowing an estimated $26,291 for an associate's degree that leads to first-year earnings around $37,000 creates a debt load higher than the national median for accounting programs. While the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 is manageable in absolute terms, comparable two-year accounting programs nationally typically graduate students with around $19,000 in debt—about $7,000 less. That difference matters when you're starting a career at $37,000 annually.

The good news is that earnings appear to grow meaningfully by year four, reaching $46,312 for this cohort. That's a solid trajectory for an associate's degree and suggests the credential opens doors to advancement. However, with both debt and earnings figures estimated from peer programs rather than Ensign's actual outcomes, there's inherent uncertainty about what this specific program delivers. The relatively small proportion of Pell recipients (11%) indicates this college serves a more financially advantaged population, which may or may not reflect your family's situation.

For an accounting associate's degree, you're looking at a credential with clear job market value but debt that's on the higher side for this level. If Ensign offers specific advantages—location, scheduling flexibility, or industry connections in Salt Lake City—the premium might make sense. Otherwise, carefully compare the actual costs here against other Utah community colleges before committing.