Accounting at Rasmussen University-Kansas

Rasmussen's Topeka accounting certificate punches well above the national average—graduates earn $47,506 within a year, nearly 50% more than the typical $31,684 for this credential nationwide. That lands this program in the 95th percentile nationally, an impressive mark for what's essentially a sub-degree qualification. The debt load of $13,047 translates to a manageable 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly a quarter of their first-year salary.

The Kansas perspective adds nuance: at the 60th percentile statewide, this program performs solidly but not exceptionally compared to other Kansas accounting certificates. Still, that state comparison might be less meaningful given only 8 schools offer this credential in Kansas. The real story is graduates entering the workforce with accounting skills and relatively modest debt, positioned to pay it off within months rather than years.

The significant caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary considerably. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, Rasmussen clearly serves working-class students seeking practical credentials. For a student who needs a quick entry point into accounting work without committing to a full degree, this combination of strong earnings and reasonable debt makes sense—just recognize the small sample means less certainty about outcomes.