Accounting at Red Rocks Community College

Comparable accounting associate programs suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 with roughly $16,000 in debt—a ratio of 0.43 that falls well within what many financial advisors consider manageable. This mirrors the national median for associate-level accounting programs, where graduates typically start near this same earnings level. Colorado's accounting market doesn't appear to offer premium pay for associate degree holders; state-wide figures show similar starting salaries across community colleges, with Front Range reporting $38,838 and Colorado Tech slightly lower at $34,762.

The estimated debt load here deserves attention. At roughly $16,000, it's notably below both the national median ($19,354) and Colorado median ($22,944) for these programs. That's the kind of difference that matters when you're making monthly payments—we're talking potentially $30-40 less per month over a standard repayment period. Combined with earnings that track right at national norms, the math suggests a program that delivers typical accounting preparation without the debt burden seen at many peer schools.

The practical takeaway: if your child is set on accounting and wants to stay local, the estimated numbers suggest a cost-effective path to entry-level bookkeeping and accounting clerk roles. Just remember these figures are drawn from similar programs, not Red Rocks' actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about this specific program's outcomes.