Accounting at Idaho State University

Based on comparable accounting associate's programs nationally, Idaho State's graduates can expect to earn around $37,000 in their first year—right at the national median—while carrying roughly $16,000 in debt. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio is actually better than what many associate's programs produce, meaning graduates would need less than half a year's salary to cover their educational investment if they paid it all at once.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely from national estimates since Idaho State's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. What peer programs suggest is that accounting associate's degrees deliver fairly consistent entry-level earnings regardless of where you attend, but the real question is whether your child plans to stop at an associate's or continue toward a bachelor's. Many accounting employers prefer (or require) four-year degrees for advancement beyond bookkeeping or payroll roles.

The debt load appears manageable for someone entering Idaho's job market, where cost of living runs lower than many states. If your child sees this as a stepping stone to either immediate employment while continuing their education, or as a way to test the accounting field before committing to more schooling, the financial setup looks reasonable. But if they're planning to work in public accounting or aim for CPA certification eventually, you'll need to factor in the additional cost of bachelor's-level coursework down the road.