Accounting at Bryant & Stratton College-Online

Bryant & Stratton's online accounting program lands squarely at the national median for earnings but outperforms most New York programs—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with $36,958 in first-year earnings. That's $3,500 above what typical NY accounting graduates earn, putting it on par with several community college options like Finger Lakes and Bryant & Stratton's brick-and-mortar campuses. The modest 5% earnings growth to $38,715 by year four suggests graduates quickly reach their earning ceiling, which is common for associate-level accounting roles focused on bookkeeping and payroll.

The real concern here is debt. At $26,291, graduates carry nearly $12,000 more than the New York median and $7,000 above the national average for this credential. That's particularly striking given that 75% of students receive Pell grants, indicating a predominantly low-income student body. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 means graduates owe roughly nine months of gross income—manageable but tight for entry-level salaries.

This program works best for students who need the flexibility of online learning and understand they're paying a premium for it. Those with access to community colleges offering similar outcomes at half the debt load should seriously consider the cheaper option, especially since earning potential appears similar across formats.