Accounting at Ithaca College

Four years out, Ithaca College accounting graduates earn $81,788—a figure that outpaces the national median by more than $25,000 and puts this program among the stronger performers in New York. The debt load of $25,000 sits right at the national median for accounting programs, creating a manageable burden even if first-year earnings start around the state average of $51,525. That estimated starting figure, drawn from 45 accounting programs across New York, suggests graduates should be able to handle their debt payments from day one.

The trajectory matters here. While elite programs like Fordham and Syracuse command higher starting salaries, Ithaca's four-year outcomes show that graduates close much of that gap relatively quickly. The jump from roughly $51,000 to nearly $82,000 in just three years indicates strong career progression, likely reflecting the program's placement into regional accounting firms and corporate finance roles. For a school with a 70% admission rate, these mid-career outcomes are genuinely competitive.

Your child won't face crushing debt, and the four-year earnings data shows graduates building solid accounting careers. The unknown is whether Ithaca's recent graduates match that estimated $51,525 start or come in higher—but even at that baseline, the debt-to-earnings picture works. This program delivers what accounting degrees should: certification-ready education leading to steadily increasing professional salaries.