Accounting at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University's accounting graduates carry notably light debt loads—$18,000 versus a $20,567 state median—but earn considerably less than their Washington peers. At $52,665 in the first year, graduates land in the 40th percentile among Washington accounting programs, trailing the state median by over $8,000. The gap widens when comparing to the University of Washington system ($62,731) or private competitors like Seattle University ($70,570), which can mean tens of thousands in lost income over a career.

The value equation here hinges on what you're paying. EWU's lower debt burden partially offsets weaker earnings, producing a manageable 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio. For Washington families paying in-state tuition and graduating with minimal loans, this represents a functional path into accounting. The 10% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates establish themselves reasonably well, even if their starting point lags behind state norms.

The math works if you're minimizing borrowing and planning to stay regional, where CPA credentials matter more than school prestige. But families choosing between Washington accounting programs should recognize this ranks in the bottom half statewide—you're trading immediate earning power for lower debt. That's a defensible trade-off only if the savings are substantial.