Accounting at Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College's accounting associate's degree ranks among Georgia's elite programs—placing in the 95th percentile statewide—with first-year graduates earning $40,820 compared to the state median of just $26,968. That's a $14,000 annual premium over the typical Georgia accounting program, putting it virtually at the top of the state's technical colleges. Nationally, it also performs well, landing in the 68th percentile for earnings while keeping debt below the national median.

The challenge is what happens next: earnings actually slip to $38,181 by year four, a 6% decline that bucks the typical career progression pattern. This doesn't necessarily signal a bad outcome—many accounting grads may be working part-time while pursuing bachelor's degrees or pivoting to different roles—but it's worth understanding why earnings peak immediately after graduation. The debt load of $17,919 remains quite manageable relative to first-year income, representing just five months of earnings.

For Georgia families, this program delivers near-immediate value that's hard to match in the state's technical college system. The early earnings advantage is substantial enough that even with the later dip, graduates are likely ahead financially compared to peers from other in-state programs. Just set expectations that the starting salary may represent the earnings high point for those who don't advance their education.