Accounting at Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College's accounting certificate graduates earn $35,597 one year out—solidly above the national median of $31,684 and ranking in the 66th percentile nationally. Within Virginia, it matches the state median exactly, placing it right in the middle of the pack among the state's 22 programs offering this credential. For a community college certificate, these earnings represent decent entry-level positioning in the accounting field.

The debt picture requires more scrutiny. At $17,429, graduates carry about $4,000 more than the typical accounting certificate holder nationally, though this aligns with Virginia's higher state median debt of $17,246. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates are borrowing roughly half their first year's salary—manageable but not trivial for a one-year credential. The 33rd percentile debt ranking (meaning 67% of programs saddle students with more debt) provides some reassurance, but parents should verify whether their student actually needs to borrow or if the certificate can be completed more affordably.

The value proposition here is straightforward: competitive earnings for the credential type at a cost that's reasonable relative to what you'll make immediately. This works best for students who can minimize borrowing or who need a quick pathway into accounting roles while keeping options open for further education later.