Accounting at Los Angeles Pacific College

California accounting programs typically produce first-year earnings around $38,000, but Los Angeles Pacific College's estimated debt load may push this program into questionable territory. While the projected $37,000 starting salary aligns with what you'd expect from a two-year accounting degree, the estimated $23,800 in debt exceeds both the state median ($17,375) and national median ($19,354) for similar programs—meaning graduates would likely be carrying 37% more debt than their peers at other California schools.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 suggests manageable monthly payments in theory, but the context matters here. Nearby Asher College's grads earn around $41,000, while Mt. San Antonio College's program produces similar earnings to this one but presumably with lower debt given public school pricing. The zero percent Pell grant rate is also unusual and worth understanding—it could indicate limited financial aid availability or a student body that doesn't qualify, either of which might affect your child's experience.

Before committing, get concrete numbers directly from the college about actual graduate outcomes and typical costs. If they can't provide their own data and you're looking at higher-than-average debt for median results, community college alternatives in the Los Angeles area would likely deliver comparable accounting credentials at a fraction of the cost.