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Accounting at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Accounting and Related Services

serving 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

At $29,056 per year, Accounting graduates from Tidewater Community College earn below the $35,807 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 39.7x 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.

The median debt load of $12,599 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #120 out of 176 programs, Tidewater Community College's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,056 to $46,559 over five years (60% 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.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
59
Score
63
High End
Earnings $29,056/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$510K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.6x
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)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,599
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,559
60% 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

See the full career breakdown for Accounting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Tidewater Community College and 175 other schools.

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 Tidewater Community College

Nursing ($69,764) Engineering ($68,555) Allied Health Professions ($62,524) Electrical Engineering Technology ($56,971) Mechanical Engineering Technology ($54,461) Vehicle Repair Technology ($47,722) Computer Science ($45,084) Allied Health Professions ($42,572)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Accounting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 59/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Accounting at Tidewater Community College?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tidewater Community College trails the majority of Accounting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Accounting graduates from Tidewater Community College?
Our scenarios model 62% of Accounting tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Tidewater Community College's 59/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Can you still earn well with Accounting from Tidewater Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Tidewater Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Accounting through an apprenticeship instead of Tidewater Community College?
Beyond Tidewater 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.
Will Accounting graduates from Tidewater Community College find jobs?
At 451,900 annual openings, Accounting has a very large employment base. Tidewater Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →