Est. Earnings (1yr)
$42,427
Est. from WI median (11 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,949
Est. from WI median (10 programs)

Analysis

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University serves a predominantly low-income student population (74% receive Pell grants), and while its accounting program lacks specific outcome data, comparable associate's programs in Wisconsin suggest a manageable path forward. Based on similar programs statewide, graduates might expect around $42,400 in first-year earnings against roughly $16,000 in debt—a 0.38 ratio that's well below concerning thresholds. That debt load is also notably lighter than the national median of $19,354 for accounting associate's degrees.

The estimated earnings align closely with Wisconsin's strongest technical colleges, placing this program in competitive territory if the estimates hold. What matters for families weighing this investment is that accounting associate's degrees, particularly in Wisconsin, tend to produce steady outcomes: the state median exactly matches the estimate here, and even top-performing technical colleges only surpass it by $3,000-$4,000. The field itself offers clear professional pathways that don't require further debt-financed education.

For families committed to this institution—perhaps for cultural reasons, given its tribal college mission, or geographic accessibility—the financial picture based on peer programs appears reasonable. The uncertainty here is real, though: without school-specific data, you're trusting that this program performs like its Wisconsin counterparts. If direct employment outcomes or graduate testimonials are available from the university, those become especially valuable in confirming whether these statewide patterns actually apply.

Where Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe UniversityHayward$6,030$42,427*—$15,949*—
Waukesha County Technical CollegePewaukee$4,720$45,634*$48,300$22,000*0.48
Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison$4,780$45,333*—$20,252*0.45
Rasmussen University-WisconsinGreen Bay$11,982$43,765*$44,358$23,823*0.54
Western Technical CollegeLa Crosse$4,716$42,732*$43,719$16,796*0.39
Moraine Park Technical CollegeFond du Lac$4,713$42,629*$40,220$16,027*0.38
National Median—$37,000*—$19,354*0.52
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, approximately 74% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.