Accounting at Interactive College of Technology-Newport

Interactive College of Technology-Newport's accounting associate's program serves a predominantly low-income student body (74% on Pell grants) with relatively modest debt, but the earnings outcomes reveal significant challenges. While graduates start at $26,189—which actually places them at the 60th percentile among Kentucky's accounting associate programs—these earnings fall 11% to just $23,396 by year four. Nationally, this program ranks in the bottom 5th percentile, with earnings roughly $11,000 below the typical accounting associate's degree holder.

The silver lining is affordability: at $13,557 in median debt, graduates owe considerably less than the national median of $19,354. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable in absolute terms, and students will likely face modest monthly payments. However, the declining earnings trajectory suggests graduates either struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions or leave the accounting field altogether—a troubling pattern for a career-focused credential.

For Kentucky families seeking an affordable entry point into accounting, this program delivers low debt but appears to fall short on career preparation compared to typical associate's programs elsewhere. The combination of below-market starting salaries that then decline further raises questions about whether graduates are developing the skills employers value in accounting roles, even at the associate level.