Accounting at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's accounting program delivers slightly above-average starting salaries ($54,030) while keeping debt notably lower than most Colorado competitors. At $26,320 in median debt, graduates here borrow about $7,300 less than the state median, giving them meaningful breathing room with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49. Among Colorado's ten accounting programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—solidly middle-of-the-pack but below flagship options like Denver ($67,392) or Colorado State.

The trajectory looks healthy: earnings grow 19% by year four to $64,453, putting graduates on competitive footing with their peers statewide. The 99% admission rate means your child won't face steep barriers to entry, though the Pell grant percentage (35%) suggests a student body juggling financial constraints. For families watching every dollar, the lower debt burden matters more than chasing marginally higher starting salaries elsewhere.

The value proposition here is straightforward—you get market-rate accounting credentials without oversized debt. Your child won't lead the pack in earnings, but they also won't spend years digging out from under loans. For a Denver-area student planning to stay in Colorado, this represents a practical path into accounting without financial overreach.