Accounting at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

The small sample size here is a yellow flag, but the bigger concern is what happens after graduation: earnings at this program drop 13% from year one to year four, falling from nearly $40K to just over $34K. That's unusual for any program, let alone one that typically offers steady career progression. While first-year earnings beat the national median by about $2,700, they fall well below Minnesota's typical accounting graduate by roughly $4,000—landing this program at just the 40th percentile statewide.

The debt picture adds another layer of worry. At nearly $27,000, graduates here carry about $5,000 more debt than the Minnesota median for accounting programs, placing them in the worst 5% nationally for debt burden. Compare that to North Hennepin or Century College graduates who earn $10,000-$15,000 more annually with less debt, and the value gap becomes stark. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic on its own, but paired with declining earnings, it suggests graduates may struggle to build financial momentum.

Given the earning trajectory and the availability of stronger accounting programs across Minnesota's community college system, families should seriously consider alternatives unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to attend here. The declining earnings pattern is particularly troubling and warrants investigation into whether graduates are finding appropriate accounting work or pivoting to lower-paying roles.