Accounting at Cabrillo College

Aptos, CA · Public · Certificate · Accounting and Related Services

with a mid-sized student body of 7,404 in Aptos, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Cabrillo College's Accounting program earn $57,294/yr in their first year — 60% above the $35,807 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 472.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting's career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #2 of 176 Accounting programs nationally, Cabrillo College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Accounting offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $57,294/yr (60% vs median)

AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings

$57K

Reported median after graduation

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

472.0x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

13 of 14

Occupations with strong AI resilience

Program Tuition (In-State)

$1,270

Out-of-state: $9,910

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,540

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Explore what Accounting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 176 programs nationwide.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cabrillo 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 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Accounting at Cabrillo College?

This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.

What's the AI risk for Accounting graduates from Cabrillo College?

AI exposure of 62% is a real factor. For Cabrillo College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($599,423) and pessimistic ($599,423) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.

What makes Cabrillo College's Accounting program stand out?

Among 176 Accounting programs, Cabrillo College's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What apprenticeship pathways exist for Accounting graduates?

Beyond Cabrillo 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.

Is there demand for Accounting workers?

Job availability for Accounting is strong — 451,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Cabrillo College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →