Accounting at East Carolina University

East Carolina's accounting program lands squarely in the middle of North Carolina's pack—right at the state median for earnings—but with a meaningful advantage on debt. Graduates leave owing about $2,800 less than typical NC accounting majors, which matters when you're building a career foundation. The starting salary of $48,351 isn't going to wow anyone, sitting in just the 26th percentile nationally, but the debt load is manageable enough that graduates can likely handle their payments without significant strain.

The 20% earnings growth to $57,782 by year four follows a normal accounting career trajectory, and here's where the lower debt really pays off: while graduates aren't catching up to elite programs like Elon (whose grads earn $70K right away), they're building salary momentum without being buried in payments. At a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio, monthly student loan bills should consume a reasonable portion of take-home pay. The program serves ECU's primarily in-state, middle-class student body—31% receive Pell grants—by delivering solid professional credentials without the debt burden that can derail early-career financial stability.

For families focused on cost-effective accounting credentials in North Carolina, ECU delivers exactly what's advertised: a mainstream accounting education at below-average cost. You won't get elite firm placement, but you'll get the CPA eligibility and regional job market access that most accounting students actually need.