Accounting at Harris-Stowe State University

Harris-Stowe accounting graduates earn roughly $20,000 less than the Missouri median and barely half what top state programs produce—putting this degree in the bottom 10% statewide. With first-year earnings of just $33,025 against $35,584 in debt, graduates owe more than a full year's salary, creating immediate financial strain. For context, the University of Missouri-Columbia's accounting graduates earn nearly double at $65,057.

The concerning part isn't just the starting point—it's the opportunity cost. Missouri has 33 accounting programs, and most deliver significantly better outcomes for similar or lower debt. Even accounting for Harris-Stowe's mission serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (73%), these numbers suggest graduates struggle to access the well-paying corporate accounting positions that typically justify this degree.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could fluctuate year to year, but that uncertainty cuts both ways. If your child is considering accounting here, recognize they'd need an unusually strong performance to overcome what the data shows: most Harris-Stowe accounting graduates enter the workforce earning less than $35,000—roughly what many earn without a four-year degree. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances keeping them at this specific institution, Missouri offers multiple accounting programs with proven track records of launching graduates into $50,000+ careers.