Accounting at Kapiolani Community College

An estimated $16,000 in debt paired with first-year earnings around $37,000—typical for associate-level accounting programs nationwide—creates a manageable starting point, though not an immediate financial win. Based on comparable community college programs, this debt load translates to monthly payments of roughly $180, which shouldn't overwhelm a budget built on $37,000 annually. What's more encouraging is the four-year earnings figure of nearly $40,000, suggesting steady if modest progression in Hawaii's accounting field.

The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here—both the earnings and debt figures come from peer programs nationally since Kapiolani's graduate sample was too small for the DOE to publish. Hawaii's accounting market may differ from the mainland average given the state's unique economy and cost of living. The low Pell grant percentage (17%) suggests this program serves a more financially stable population, which could mean better networking opportunities but also raises questions about whether typical students face different financial realities than these estimates reflect.

For parents, this looks like a cautious "yes" if their student is committed to accounting and plans to work immediately after graduation. The debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5 is solid, and accounting credentials tend to lead to stable employment. However, confirm that local employers value this specific associate degree—in some markets, they strongly prefer bachelor's holders, which would make this a stepping stone rather than a destination credential.