Accounting at Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus graduates enter accounting careers earning $64,094—nearly $10,000 above the national median and competitive with Minnesota's top private colleges. While this lands at the 60th percentile statewide (just behind heavyweights like University of St Thomas and Bethel), it significantly outperforms three-quarters of accounting programs nationally. Graduates carry debt of $26,959, which translates to a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio that's well below concerning thresholds.

The earnings trajectory here is solid, with graduates seeing 15% growth to $73,508 by year four. Among Minnesota's 31 accounting programs, Gustavus holds its own against schools with higher name recognition. The combination of strong first-year earnings and reasonable debt load means graduates can realistically handle their loan payments while building careers—accounting typically offers stable employment prospects that make this financial picture sustainable.

For families weighing a $27,000 debt load against starting salaries in the mid-$60s, this represents a straightforward value proposition. The program delivers outcomes on par with the state's most competitive options, and graduates earn enough from day one to service their debt comfortably. If your child is serious about accounting and values the liberal arts college environment, Gustavus produces results that justify the investment.