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Accounting at Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Accounting and Related Services

serving 9,802 students in Harrisburg, PA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,112/yr, edging above the $35,807 national average for Accounting — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 29.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Accounting graduates.

At $15,973 in median debt against $38,112 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #101 out of 176 programs, Harrisburg Area Community College's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,112 to $43,135 over five years (13% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Accounting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
62
Score
65
High End
Earnings $38,112/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$440K
3.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
29.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,746
Out-of-state: $22,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,973
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,135
13% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Accounting Career Guide

What can you do with a Accounting credential from Harrisburg Area Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

View all 176 schools offering Accounting →

Accounting at Other Schools

Austin Community College District ($62,261) Austin Community College District ($58,469) Cabrillo College ($57,294) College of DuPage ($52,724) Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ($52,576) Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global ($52,576) North Hennepin Community College ($49,685) Montgomery County Community College ($48,832)

Other Majors at Harrisburg Area Community College

Nursing ($73,041) Allied Health Professions ($62,227) Clinical Laboratory Science ($55,875) Dental Assisting ($52,497) Medical Informatics ($47,775) IT Management ($41,699) Communication & Media Studies ($41,282) Legal Support Services ($40,240)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Accounting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting at Harrisburg Area Community College?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Accounting programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Accounting careers?
AI exposure of 62% is a real factor. For Harrisburg Area Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($439,811) and pessimistic ($398,737) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Accounting program at Harrisburg Area Community College?
Beyond Harrisburg Area Community College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Accounting careers — including Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Accounting from Harrisburg Area Community College?
Job availability for Accounting is strong — 451,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Harrisburg Area Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in PA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →