Accounting at Los Angeles City College

Earning $37,000 in the first year typically positions accounting associate degree holders right at the national median for this credential, though peer programs in California suggest slightly higher potential around $38,000. The estimated $16,000 debt load—if accurate—would create a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about five months of gross income. That's well below the 1.0 threshold that signals financial strain.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures derived from national and institutional patterns rather than LA City College's actual outcomes, it's difficult to know whether this program performs better or worse than typical community college accounting tracks. Other California schools with reported data show a range from $34,600 at Mt. San Antonio College to over $41,000 at Asher College, suggesting the trajectory depends heavily on where students land after graduation and whether they continue toward a bachelor's degree or CPA certification.

For parents of students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this associate degree makes sense as an affordable stepping stone. For those planning to enter the workforce immediately, the projected earnings and debt look reasonable on paper, but you'll want to verify actual job placement rates and what percentage of graduates land in accounting-specific roles versus general administrative work.