Accounting at Bushnell University

Based on comparable accounting programs across Oregon, Bushnell's bachelor's degree appears positioned in the middle of the pack. The estimated $56,348 first-year salary matches the state median exactly and sits slightly above the national benchmark of $53,694. While these figures aren't specific to Bushnell graduates, they suggest Oregon accounting programs generally produce similar outcomes, with the top performers hovering in the high $50,000s—just a few thousand dollars ahead.

The estimated $28,000 debt load is notably higher than both state and national medians for accounting degrees, though still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50. This means graduates could theoretically dedicate half their first-year salary to debt repayment, which falls within conventional affordability guidelines. However, given that peer institutions like University of Oregon and Portland State likely offer similar earnings potential with state school pricing advantages, the premium here deserves scrutiny.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether Bushnell's smaller environment justifies the extra borrowing when larger Oregon universities produce accounting graduates earning similar amounts. If your student thrives in intimate settings and values the school's mission, the debt level isn't alarming. But if the appeal is primarily the accounting credential itself, exploring whether lower-cost alternatives might deliver comparable career access makes financial sense—especially since we're working from state-wide estimates rather than Bushnell-specific outcomes.