Accounting at Francis Marion University

Francis Marion's accounting program graduates earn notably less than their peers across South Carolina—sitting at the 40th percentile among state programs with starting salaries around $44,600. That's $8,000 below the state median and nearly $15,000 less than what graduates from USC-Columbia or Bob Jones earn. Even accounting for Francis Marion's accessible admissions and lower sticker price, this gap matters when you're repaying $28,375 in loans.

The debt load here is actually reasonable relative to first-year earnings (0.64 ratio), but the real concern is the limited earnings growth. Four years out, graduates are making just $46,500—a modest $1,900 increase that suggests early salary ceilings. For comparison, accounting graduates statewide typically start stronger and have more room to grow. The 16th percentile ranking nationally reinforces that this program isn't launching graduates into competitive accounting positions.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the pattern is clear enough: if your child is serious about accounting as a career, other South Carolina options offer significantly better financial returns. The gap between what Francis Marion grads earn and what's typical in the state—roughly $8,000 annually—compounds quickly over a career.