Accounting at American Public University System

American Public University System's online accounting program sits near the middle of West Virginia's offerings but trails the national median by about $3,000 annually. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates earn $50,688 in their first year but see incomes drop to $46,839 by year four—an unusual pattern that suggests many grads may be changing careers or facing limited advancement opportunities in their initial roles.

The debt picture offers a silver lining. At $38,147, this program actually carries higher debt than both state and national medians, yet still maintains a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio. With first-year earnings just above West Virginia's state median for accounting programs, graduates start in a reasonable financial position even if long-term prospects appear cloudier. The moderate sample size (30-100 grads) adds some uncertainty to these patterns.

For a family considering this online program, the key question is career stability. While you're not paying a premium over West Virginia's brick-and-mortar options like WVU or Fairmont State—which offer similar or slightly better outcomes—the declining earnings pattern deserves scrutiny. This could work for students who need the flexibility of online education and plan to stay in West Virginia, but the numbers suggest graduates may struggle to build momentum in traditional accounting career paths.