Accounting at UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey

An estimated $16,000 in debt for an associate's degree in accounting represents a manageable burden, particularly when paired with first-year earnings that match the national median around $37,000. What's striking is that this estimated debt figure is roughly half the national median for accounting programs ($19,354), while earnings projections align with what similar programs nationally produce. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, graduates would theoretically need less than six months of gross income to cover their educational investment—a favorable position compared to many two-year programs.

The challenge is context: other New Jersey community colleges with reported outcomes show considerably lower median earnings around $29,000, suggesting the accounting job market in the state may vary significantly by region or that entry-level positions cluster at lower salary bands. Union County's location in the New York metro area could explain why estimates trend toward the national median rather than the state's, but without actual graduate outcomes, it's impossible to know whether this program connects students to the higher-paying opportunities that justify the degree.

For parents, the math works if their student lands near that $37,000 mark—the debt is controllable and the credential opens doors to a stable field. But recognize these figures come from peer programs elsewhere, not Union College's track record. The real question is whether this specific program's industry connections and job placement support deliver on those national-level expectations in a competitive regional market.