Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
LeTourneau's accounting program appears positioned in the middle of Texas's competitive landscape, though we're working with estimates based on 43 similar programs statewide rather than specific graduate outcomes. The estimated $49,406 first-year salary aligns exactly with Texas's median for accounting bachelor's degrees, but falls notably short of what the state's top programs deliver—powerhouses like TCU and UT Austin report graduates earning around $68,000 to $72,000 right out of the gate.
The financial equation here looks reasonable on paper: an estimated debt load of $22,759 against those projected earnings yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, which is manageable by most standards. For context, that's slightly below the typical $25,000 debt burden nationally for accounting degrees. The immediate challenge is whether those typical Texas outcomes will hold true for LeTourneau specifically, given the program's small graduate cohort (which is why the DOE can't publish actual figures). A selective admissions environment (41% acceptance rate, 1262 SAT average) and low Pell enrollment (13%) suggest a well-resourced student body, but those advantages don't seem to translate into the premium outcomes that Texas's leading programs achieve.
If your child is set on accounting in Texas, understand you're likely betting on middle-tier outcomes rather than the robust earnings potential available at the state's flagship universities—a meaningful gap when the career path and credential are identical.
Where LeTourneau University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (67 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,500 | $49,406* | — | $22,759* | — | |
| $57,220 | $72,031* | $78,532 | $17,778* | 0.25 | |
| $64,460 | $68,643* | $77,801 | $15,850* | 0.23 | |
| $54,844 | $68,187* | $80,617 | $20,500* | 0.30 | |
| $11,678 | $68,082* | $78,482 | $19,462* | 0.29 | |
| $13,099 | $67,186* | $84,502 | $17,641* | 0.26 | |
| National Median | — | $53,694* | — | $25,000* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Financial Examiners
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At LeTourneau University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 43 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.