Accounting at McDaniel College

McDaniel's accounting graduates land solidly in the middle of Maryland's competitive accounting market, earning slightly above the state median while carrying manageable debt. At $65,941 in first-year earnings, graduates trail top performers like University of Maryland-College Park and Loyola by about $4,000, but they're earning well above the national median of $53,694. The debt load of $24,210 translates to a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe less than five months of their starting salary, which creates comfortable breathing room for young professionals.

The 13% earnings growth to $74,227 by year four suggests these graduates are building stable careers, though they're not experiencing the rapid advancement seen at some larger programs. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that McDaniel achieves these outcomes at a school with an 84% admission rate, making it accessible to a broader range of students than Maryland's most selective institutions.

The caveat: these numbers come from a small sample size, so individual experiences may vary more than at larger programs. For a student who wants accounting credentials without the pressure of ultra-competitive admission, McDaniel delivers respectable Maryland-level earnings with debt that won't dominate their early career. It's not the ceiling, but it's a reliable path into the profession.