Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,001
Est. from national median (118 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,979
Est. from national median (70 programs)

Analysis

Community colleges often deliver strong ROI in accounting, and peer programs suggest Moorpark fits this pattern. With estimated first-year earnings around $37,000 and debt below $16,000, comparable programs in California typically produce a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5—a threshold that makes repayment manageable on an entry-level salary. While we can't verify Moorpark's specific outcomes due to small cohort sizes, these estimates align closely with California's median for associate accounting programs ($37,978) and track with what nearby Mt. San Antonio College actually reports for its graduates.

The limited data here actually tells a story: Moorpark likely graduates fewer accounting students than larger community colleges, which isn't necessarily negative. Smaller cohorts might mean more personalized attention, though it does make financial outcomes harder to track. What matters more is that accounting credentials from California community colleges generally lead to predictable entry-level positions—bookkeepers, accounting clerks, tax preparers—with clear salary ranges and advancement paths.

For an associate degree that costs roughly what a used car does, the math works if your student plans to enter the workforce immediately or transfer to complete a bachelor's. Just recognize you're betting on the broader track record of California community college accounting programs rather than Moorpark's proven results.

Where Moorpark College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in California (110 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Moorpark CollegeMoorpark$1,416$37,001*$15,979*
Asher CollegeSacramento$41,351*$17,375*0.42
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut$1,364$34,604**
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 Moorpark College, approximately 19% 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 national median of 118 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.