Accounting at Boston College

Boston College accounting graduates start at $75,512 and climb to nearly $99,000 within four years—strong numbers that place this program in the 95th percentile nationally. But here's the context an anxious parent needs: among Massachusetts accounting programs, this ranks around the 60th percentile, trailing Holy Cross and Bentley despite BC's more selective admissions (16% acceptance rate versus their competitors'). You're paying for a brand name that delivers solid results, but not necessarily the best accounting outcomes in the state.

The financial picture remains compelling regardless. At $18,000 in median debt—well below both the state median of $26,716 and national benchmark of $25,000—graduates face a debt burden of just 24% of first-year earnings. That's manageable by any measure, and the 31% earnings growth to year four suggests strong career progression. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures are reasonably reliable, though not based on the largest cohort.

For families who can afford BC's tuition and value the broader liberal arts environment and alumni network, this program won't disappoint financially. But if you're focused purely on accounting career outcomes and return on investment, less selective schools like Bentley are producing graduates with virtually identical starting salaries. The question is whether BC's overall experience justifies any premium you'll pay beyond what the employment data shows.