Accounting at Rasmussen University-Florida

Rasmussen's accounting certificate in Ocala shows graduates earning $47,506 in their first year—roughly 50% more than the typical Florida accounting certificate holder. That's a remarkable gap, placing this program in the 95th percentile both statewide and nationally. Even compared to Hillsborough Community College, often considered the state benchmark for career certificates, Rasmussen grads are earning $8,000 more annually. The debt load of $13,047 is reasonable for these earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.27.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the data. With numbers this small, a handful of unusually successful students could skew the entire picture. It's worth noting that more than half of Rasmussen students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves lower-income students who go on to solid earnings. But you're making a decision based on limited evidence about what future cohorts will actually experience.

If your child needs a quick path to accounting work and this location fits, the numbers look promising. Just recognize you're extrapolating from a thin data set. Consider reaching out to the school directly to understand their job placement track record and whether these earnings represent typical outcomes or outliers.