Accounting at Glendale Community College

Similar accounting programs across Arizona suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 for an associate degree—right in line with what comparable programs produce nationally. The estimated $16,000 in debt sits notably below both the state median ($18,446) and national median ($19,354), giving this program a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that's more manageable than many peer schools. Community colleges in Arizona producing reported data, like Pima, show nearly identical earnings outcomes, which provides some confidence in these estimates.

The math works in straightforward terms: graduates from similar programs typically earn enough to pay back roughly half their debt burden in their first year, though accounting salaries usually climb meaningfully with experience and additional credentials. The challenge is that we're working with estimates here—Glendale doesn't have enough graduates reporting data for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That could reflect small program size rather than any quality issue, but it does mean you're relying on what similar programs achieve rather than Glendale's specific track record.

For parents weighing this program, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student plans to work in accounting locally. The lower debt load compared to state and national averages matters more than the slightly below-median earnings. Just understand you're making this decision based on peer program performance, not verified outcomes from Glendale itself. If your student might pursue a bachelor's later, confirm how smoothly these credits transfer to Arizona's four-year schools.