Accounting at La Roche University

La Roche's accounting program ranks near the bottom among Pennsylvania schools—10th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally—with first-year earnings of $40,085 trailing the state median by more than $17,000. That's a substantial gap in a field known for predictable career paths and solid starting salaries. While the debt load of $25,000 matches national norms and looks manageable on paper, the program's weak earning power makes even typical debt a heavier burden. Compare this to nearby schools like Duquesne or Robert Morris, where accounting graduates typically earn $20,000+ more right out of the gate.

The 34% earnings growth to $53,824 by year four suggests graduates do catch up somewhat, but they're starting from such a low baseline that even this improvement barely reaches what their peers earn on day one elsewhere. For accounting specifically—where CPA credentials and firm placement matter tremendously—these numbers raise questions about recruiting relationships and career services effectiveness.

The very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could skew these figures, but the consistent underperformance across both state and national benchmarks is hard to ignore. If your child is set on accounting and considering La Roche, you need clear answers about why graduates lag so far behind Pennsylvania's median and what specific steps the program takes to improve job placement outcomes.