Accounting at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's accounting program offers significantly lower debt than typical accounting degrees—at $17,650, it's less than half the national average—but that cost advantage comes with a tradeoff in earning power. While first-year earnings of $55,215 beat the national median, they fall notably short of Washington's state median of $61,021, placing the program in just the 40th percentile among the state's 18 accounting programs. That gap translates to roughly $6,000 less annually compared to what graduates from the median Washington accounting program earn, a difference that compounds over a career.

The relatively modest earnings growth—10% from year one to year four—suggests this program may position graduates more toward small and mid-sized accounting practices rather than the higher-paying corporate or Big Four track. For families prioritizing minimal debt and stable employment over maximizing income, the 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio represents a manageable burden that won't constrain financial decisions after graduation. The robust sample size gives confidence these numbers are reliable.

If your child is set on staying in Washington and can access similar low debt at programs like UW-Bothell or UW-Tacoma (which show $7,500+ higher earnings), those merit strong consideration. However, if Central Washington offers in-state tuition without the competitive admissions hurdles of flagships, the combination of low debt and respectable earnings makes it a practical choice—just understand you're trading some earning potential for financial security.