Accounting (Associate's Degree) at Southwestern Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,616

Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$15,979

Est. from national median (70 programs)

Analysis

North Carolina's accounting associate programs cluster around $45,000 in first-year earnings, and comparable programs across the state suggest Southwestern's graduates likely land in this range—meaningful income for a two-year credential. The estimated debt load of roughly $16,000 translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the threshold where monthly payments typically strain budgets. With 30% of students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to serve students who need an affordable path to solid middle-income work.

The caveat: these figures come from peer programs because Southwestern's graduate numbers are too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. That limited sample size could signal either a boutique program with careful enrollment or simply reflect the college's rural location in western North Carolina. What we do know is that accounting skills travel well—the field offers relatively stable demand whether graduates stay in Sylva or relocate to larger North Carolina markets.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty about program-specific outcomes, the estimated economics look reasonable. A sub-$16,000 debt burden for training that peer programs suggest yields $44,000+ starting salaries represents a practical investment, particularly compared to four-year alternatives that cost substantially more.

Where Southwestern Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (52 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Southwestern Community CollegeSylva	$5,806	$44,616*	—	$15,979*	—
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte	$2,792	$45,092*	—	—*	—
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh	$2,336	$44,616*	$43,263	$20,953*	0.47
Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro	$2,524	$32,979*	—	—*	—
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 Southwestern Community College, approximately 30% 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 median of 3 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.