Accounting at Waubonsee Community College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests solid financial positioning for this associate's degree, though the earnings estimate of $37,001 based on comparable accounting programs nationally falls notably short of what other Illinois community colleges report. The nearby College of DuPage, for instance, sees its accounting associate's graduates earning nearly $48,000 in their first year—about $11,000 more. That gap matters when you're weighing whether to stay local or commute farther for better career connections and placement support.

The estimated $15,979 in debt sits comfortably below both state and national medians for accounting programs, which is encouraging for a community college serving a significant portion of students with financial need. Similar programs across Illinois typically see graduates carrying around $20,500 in loans. The lower debt burden helps offset the earnings difference somewhat, though it doesn't close the gap entirely when you consider that stronger-earning programs in the state would allow graduates to pay down debt faster despite borrowing slightly more.

For families prioritizing affordability and local access, this program offers a manageable path into accounting work. But if your student can access programs like DuPage's—whether through commuting or relocation—the substantially higher early earnings could justify the extra effort, especially if they're planning to continue toward a bachelor's degree where that initial salary matters less than building the right foundation.