Accounting and Related Services at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Certificate

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

Program Analysis

Tacoma Community College's Accounting and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 and Related Services, 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 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 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 and Related Services at Tacoma Community College?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Accounting and Related Services is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $206,754 in decade earnings vs $346,797 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Accounting and Related Services 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 and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
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?
With approximately 451,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Accounting and Related Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →