Accounting at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Certificate · Accounting and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 4,248 students in Tacoma, WA.

Program Analysis

Tacoma Community College's Accounting graduates start at $19,762/yr, trailing the $35,807 national average by 45%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 62.7x 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 exposure is significant at 62% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,617 in median debt clears fast against $19,762 in annual earnings.

At #127 out of 176 programs, Tacoma Community College's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $19,762 to $35,125 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
58
Score
62
High End
Earnings $19,762/yr (-45% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$347K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
70.5x
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)
$4,920
Out-of-state: $11,030
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,617
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,125
78% 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

Accounting opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tacoma Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting at Tacoma Community College?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Accounting is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Accounting graduates from Tacoma Community College?
AI won't eliminate Accounting careers, but it may reshape them. At Tacoma Community College, a score of 58/100 already accounts for the 62% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Can you still earn well with Accounting from Tacoma Community College?
Lower starting pay at Tacoma Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Accounting through an apprenticeship instead of Tacoma Community College?
Beyond Tacoma 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 Tacoma Community College?
Job availability for Accounting is strong — 451,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Tacoma Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →