Accounting at Long Island University

Long Island University's accounting program starts graduates at $48K—well below both the New York median ($52K) and national median ($54K) for accounting bachelor's degrees. That 40th percentile ranking among New York accounting programs tells the real story: this lands squarely in the bottom half of state options, with top programs like Fordham and Syracuse placing graduates at $76K and $75K respectively.

The good news is strong earnings trajectory. That 42% jump from year one to year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing in the New York metro accounting market, though the data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 students. The $23,000 debt load is reasonable—slightly better than state and national medians—yielding a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle.

Here's the practical question: Can your child secure one of the stronger outcomes, or will they track closer to that modest starting salary? With a 90% admission rate, LIU casts a wide net, which may explain the lower median outcomes compared to more selective New York accounting programs. For families prioritizing staying in the New York area, this program offers an accessible entry point with contained debt, but students should understand they'll likely start behind peers from stronger programs and need several years to close the gap.