Accounting at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia's accounting graduates start slightly below the Michigan average but show something more important: 31% earnings growth over four years, climbing from $51,908 to nearly $68,000. That growth trajectory matters more than the modest starting point, suggesting graduates are building solid careers even if they're not landing at Big Four firms immediately.

The debt picture is actually favorable here. At $27,000—roughly equivalent to a modest car loan—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe just over half their first-year salary. That's manageable territory, especially compared to accounting programs at some Michigan private colleges where debt can exceed $35,000. The program ranks in the 40th percentile statewide for earnings, which means it's solidly middle-of-the-pack among Michigan's 37 accounting programs—not competing with Michigan State's $66,000 starters, but not struggling either.

The practical reality: your child would graduate with reasonable debt and enter a career track that shows consistent upward momentum. Accounting offers stable demand, and Concordia's graduates appear to be finding their footing and advancing. For families prioritizing manageable debt over prestige, this represents a pragmatic path into the profession. The earnings trajectory suggests employers value the credentials once graduates get experience.