Accounting at Davenport University

Davenport University's accounting program sits in the middle tier of Michigan options, with first-year earnings of $49,970 trailing the state median by about $2,700. While the program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Michigan accounting degrees, graduates carry slightly more debt ($27,000) than the state median, creating a financial picture that leans toward adequacy rather than excellence.

The math works, but barely distinguishes itself. That 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the below-national-median debt load means graduates aren't buried. Earnings grow a respectable 18% to nearly $59,000 by year four, suggesting decent career progression. However, compare this to in-state alternatives: Michigan State grads start at $66,000, and even regional competitors like Central Michigan and Albion place graduates earning $12,000-$13,000 more annually. Over a career, that gap compounds significantly.

The real question is cost differential. If Davenport offers substantially lower tuition than Michigan State or other top-tier Michigan programs, the value proposition improves. But at face value, this is a program that gets you into accounting without drama—moderate debt, decent growth trajectory, reliable employment—while leaving meaningful earning potential on the table compared to peers across the state.