Accounting at Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State's accounting graduates earn slightly above the national average but notably trail other Minnesota programs—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide despite Minnesota being a strong market for accountants. While starting salaries around $54,000 aren't terrible, they're roughly $12,000 behind what nearby competitors like the University of Minnesota or St. Thomas deliver, a meaningful gap when the same CPA license awaits graduates from any accredited program.

The program's strength lies in accessibility rather than outcomes. With a 96% acceptance rate and 44% of students on Pell grants, Metropolitan State serves students who might not have other options. The debt load of $33,000 sits above both state and national medians, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 remains manageable for an accounting career. Earnings do grow 11% by year four, suggesting graduates establish themselves reasonably well once they clear the entry-level hurdle.

For families with limited budgets, this represents a functional path to a stable profession, but not necessarily the best return available in Minnesota. If your child can gain admission to Minnesota's flagship or even Augsburg, the $10,000+ salary difference would compound significantly over a career. Metropolitan State makes sense primarily for students who need the open access or are juggling work and school—situations where the convenience matters more than maximizing starting salary.