Accounting and Related Services at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,447 track close to the $35,807 national median for Accounting and Related Services programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 97.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting and Related Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Houston Community College ranks #24 among 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $34,447 to $40,274 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Accounting and Related Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
73
Score
76
High End
Earnings $34,447/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$413K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
101.3x
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)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,274
17% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting and Related Services 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 →

About Accounting and Related Services Careers

Your career will likely start in a role like a bookkeeping or accounting clerk, where your day-to-day involves using software like QuickBooks to reconcile bank statements, manage invoices, and process payroll for a small business or as part of a larger corporate team. You’ll be the person ensuring the financial data is accurate and organized.

Read the full Accounting and Related Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services Overview

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Accounting and Related Services at Houston Community College?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Houston Community College's Accounting and Related Services graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
AI won't 'replace' Accounting and Related Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What makes Houston Community College's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Among 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, Houston Community College's #24 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Accounting and Related Services graduates?
Accounting and Related Services connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Accounting and Related Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Accounting and Related Services have roughly 451,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →