Accounting at Augustana College

Augustana College's accounting graduates earn $62,149 in their first year—substantially above both national and Illinois medians for the field, though notably behind the state's top-tier programs like UIUC and Illinois Wesleyan. With debt of $27,000, the program delivers a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, meaning graduates can expect to pay off loans in under seven months of gross earnings. Among Illinois accounting programs, this lands in the 60th percentile—a solid middle-of-the-pack showing in a competitive state market.

What makes this program particularly compelling is the combination of strong starting salaries and reasonable debt loads. While Augustana's $27,000 median debt sits slightly above state and national averages, the earnings premium more than compensates. The 17% earnings growth to $72,612 by year four suggests graduates are advancing into senior accounting roles or lucrative specializations. For context, graduates here start within striking distance of those from Illinois Wesleyan (which costs significantly more) while avoiding the financial burden of larger urban schools.

The tradeoff is clear: parents shouldn't expect UIUC-level outcomes, but they're getting top-quartile national results at a regional liberal arts college with a 68% admission rate. For families seeking a balance between earnings potential and debt management in accounting, Augustana delivers measurable value without the pressure-cooker environment of the state's most selective programs.