Accounting at Arcadia University

Arcadia's accounting graduates start at $46,846—significantly trailing both Pennsylvania's median of $57,966 and the national benchmark of $53,694. Among the state's 76 accounting programs, this lands in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of Pennsylvania accounting programs produce better first-year outcomes. The gap is stark when you look at comparable private institutions: Villanova and Lehigh graduates earn roughly $30,000 more right out of the gate.

The positives are modest but present: graduates carry $27,000 in debt (matching state norms and actually below the national median), and earnings do grow 27% by year four to nearly $60,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 is manageable. However, keep in mind these figures are based on a very small sample—fewer than 30 graduates—which means they could swing considerably with just a few different outcomes.

For families considering Arcadia's accounting program, the question becomes whether the presumably smaller class sizes and more accessible admission (79% acceptance rate) justify starting $11,000 behind Pennsylvania peers. If your child is likely to pursue CPA licensure and work in the Philadelphia metro area where Arcadia has established connections, that initial earnings gap may narrow. But if purely looking at return on investment for an accounting degree in Pennsylvania, stronger performers exist at similar or even lower net costs.