Accounting at Friends University

Friends University's accounting program graduates carry slightly higher debt than typical—$31,250 versus a Kansas median of $25,125—but they're earning enough to make the numbers work. With $54,393 in first-year earnings and steady 14% growth to $62,096 by year four, graduates land comfortably above both national and state medians. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 means the borrowing is proportionate to the payoff, particularly when you're starting at a salary level that ranks in the 60th percentile among Kansas accounting programs.

The gap with top Kansas programs is worth noting—Kansas State and Wichita State graduates earn $5,000-$6,000 more initially—but Friends holds its own in a competitive in-state market. For families weighing the trade-off between a smaller, private institution and the flagship schools, the earnings difference narrows to about $100-$500 monthly after taxes, which may matter less if your student values Friends' smaller class sizes and personalized attention.

One important caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, the trajectory is encouraging—graduates who stick with accounting see meaningful salary increases, and the debt burden appears manageable on an accountant's starting salary. If your child is looking for solid accounting preparation without the massive lecture halls, this program delivers reasonable value despite the modest premium in borrowing.