Accounting at Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico-Recinto de San Juan

An Associate's degree in accounting typically prepares graduates for bookkeeping and entry-level accounting roles, and the estimated $37,000 first-year earnings here align with the national median for this credential. That figure, drawn from comparable programs nationwide, suggests graduates could enter the workforce at a competitive starting point—though it's worth noting that the only Puerto Rico program with reported data shows earnings closer to $26,000, which may better reflect the island's economic reality.

The estimated debt of roughly $16,000 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. This is manageable territory by most standards, particularly for students who can't pursue a bachelor's degree immediately. With 72% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves a population for whom affordability matters deeply, and the relatively modest debt burden doesn't appear prohibitive.

The challenge is that these figures come from national peer programs, not this school's actual outcomes, making it difficult to assess how Instituto Tecnologico's specific approach translates to job placement and salary. If your child is considering this path, the key question is whether the reality matches the national pattern or the lower Puerto Rican benchmark—and whether an associate's degree will open enough doors in the local accounting market to justify even this moderate investment.