Accounting at Concordia University-Saint Paul

Concordia University-Saint Paul's accounting graduates start strong at $61,360—well above the national median and comparable to Minnesota's state average. The manageable $27,000 debt load (below both state and national medians) means graduates begin their careers with healthy financial footing. However, the trajectory here deserves attention: earnings drop 15% by year four to $52,026, which is unusual in accounting where steady career progression is typically the norm.

Within Minnesota's competitive accounting landscape, this program sits solidly in the middle pack—60th percentile statewide—trailing the University of Minnesota and several private colleges by about $4,000-$5,000 in starting salary. That gap isn't dramatic, but the earnings decline by year four is. Most concerning is whether this reflects graduates moving into lower-paying positions, leaving the field, or some other career disruption that parents should investigate further.

For families prioritizing low debt over elite placement, this program offers a reasonable entry point into accounting. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is quite manageable. But if your child is competitive for admission to Minnesota's stronger accounting programs (like UMN-Twin Cities or St. Thomas), those alternatives deliver both higher starting salaries and more predictable career trajectories without significantly more debt burden.