Accounting at Coe College

Coe College's accounting program produces graduates earning $59,252 in their first year—about $5,500 above the national median and roughly at the state average. That 71st percentile national ranking suggests solid placement, though within Iowa the program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing Drake and the University of Iowa by about $6,000. The $26,000 median debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 that most financial advisors would consider reasonable.

The challenge here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported—which means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. However, the fundamentals look sound: graduates are clearing nearly $60,000 right out of college while keeping debt below the Iowa median. For a school with a 71% admission rate serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students, these outcomes demonstrate the program delivers what matters most in accounting—credentialing and job placement that justify the investment.

If your child is considering Coe alongside Iowa's flagship universities, they're trading about $6,000 in starting salary for what's likely a more personalized experience at a smaller institution. The debt levels are similar across schools, so the choice comes down to fit and whether that earnings gap persists over time. For families prioritizing affordability and reasonable early-career returns, Coe's accounting program meets the bar.