Accounting at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Indiana Wesleyan's accounting graduates start at $57,029—exactly matching the Indiana median and comfortably above the national benchmark of $53,694. What immediately stands out is the debt picture: at $38,935, students here borrow 60% more than the typical Indiana accounting major ($24,300) and substantially more than the national median. This places the program in the 95th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning only 5% of accounting programs nationwide saddle graduates with more loans.

That debt load translates to a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio, which remains manageable but requires careful consideration. An accounting graduate here will dedicate roughly eight months of gross first-year salary to their student loans—not crushing, but notably higher than peers at Purdue ($26,500 median debt) who earn more ($63,021) and borrow less. The earnings trajectory shows modest 5% growth to $60,055 by year four, keeping graduates competitive but not pulling ahead of state peers.

The fundamentals work here: accounting is a stable profession with clear career paths, and Indiana Wesleyan produces graduates who earn solidly middle-of-the-pack salaries in both state and national contexts. But families should enter with eyes open about the debt differential. If your child can reduce borrowing through scholarships or working during school, this becomes considerably more attractive. At sticker price with typical borrowing, you're paying a premium over public options without a corresponding earnings boost.