Accounting at Post University

The debt load here is concerning: at $42,938, Post University's associate degree in accounting carries more than double the national median debt for this credential ($19,354) and sits in the bottom 5% nationally. While first-year earnings of around $37,000 suggest graduates find work quickly, that debt burden means paying back more than a full year's salary—a ratio that's manageable but uncomfortably tight for an associate degree that should be a relatively affordable path into accounting work.

The program does show earnings growth, with graduates reaching $50,810 by year four, which puts them solidly in the middle class. But even at that income level, the debt remains a heavy anchor, especially when Connecticut State Community College produces comparable first-year outcomes (around $42,600) at the same debt level. The question becomes whether Post's specific approach—serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body who may need more flexible formats—justifies taking on debt that's twice the national norm for this degree.

For families considering this program, the math works only if your student genuinely needs Post's particular format and support services. If traditional community college is feasible, that's almost certainly the better financial choice. If Post is the only realistic path to completion, understand you're accepting higher-than-typical debt for an associate degree, banking on that four-year earnings bump to make the monthly payments bearable.