Accounting at Champlain College

Champlain College's accounting program charges premium prices but delivers strong early results, placing graduates in the 78th percentile nationally with starting salaries above $61,000—roughly $8,000 more than the typical accounting grad. The $27,000 debt load is actually below the national median for accounting programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 that most accountants would approve of. Among Vermont's limited accounting options, this ranks respectably at the 60th percentile, though it's worth noting you're competing with just three other programs in the state.

The concern here is stagnation rather than catastrophe: earnings flatline between year one and year four, suggesting graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly or that Champlain's Vermont location limits career progression compared to larger markets. Still, starting near $61,000 with manageable debt puts graduates in solid financial position from day one, and the early earning power could accelerate debt payoff before any wage plateau becomes problematic.

For families comfortable with Vermont's job market and valuing Champlain's boutique approach, this represents a reasonable investment—you're paying for strong placement rather than explosive growth. The math works if your child plans to leverage that strong start into career advancement, whether that means staying in Burlington's tight-knit business community or using the Champlain credential to relocate to Boston or other Northeast markets where accounting salaries climb higher.