Accounting at Lackawanna College

Similar accounting programs across Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $38,000 for associate degree holders—a figure that aligns closely with the national median but falls well short of what graduates from Montgomery County Community College achieve ($48,832). The $18,000 in debt is actually slightly below the state average, making Lackawanna's estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 relatively manageable. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves many families where even modest debt requires careful consideration.

The challenge here is that comparable programs in Pennsylvania show a wide earnings range, from just over $32,000 to nearly $49,000 in the first year. Without actual outcomes data for Lackawanna's accounting graduates specifically, it's unclear whether this program produces results closer to the state median or lags behind peers. The debt load is reasonable enough that even earnings on the lower end of the peer range wouldn't create a crisis, but the potential earnings gap between programs matters significantly when you're deciding where to invest two years and $18,000.

For families weighing this decision, the key question is whether Lackawanna's program delivers outcomes closer to the state median or the lower performers. Request placement rates and starting salary information directly from the school—actual data about where recent graduates land jobs and what they earn would clarify whether this represents a solid local pathway into accounting or whether nearby alternatives might offer better returns.