Accounting at Millsaps College

The long-term trajectory here matters more than the starting point. Based on comparable accounting programs in Mississippi, first-year graduates typically earn around $42,000—well below the $54,000 national median for accounting bachelor's degrees. But by year four, this program's graduates are earning $68,000, suggesting significant upward mobility that outpaces both state and national averages.

At an estimated $26,600 in debt—right in line with what similar private colleges produce nationally—the debt burden appears manageable. The 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary, which is reasonable for any bachelor's degree. The real question is why first-year earnings lag so far behind national norms. This could reflect Mississippi's lower accounting salaries overall (the state median is $42,000), local hiring patterns, or simply the reality that small private colleges don't always match the placement power of larger universities like Ole Miss, where accounting grads start at $59,000.

The four-year earnings figure of $68,000 suggests graduates who stay the course do well—potentially by passing the CPA exam, moving into higher-paying roles, or relocating to stronger markets. But since these outcomes are estimated from peer programs rather than Millsaps-specific data, ask the school directly about CPA pass rates, job placement locations, and whether graduates typically start in Mississippi or move elsewhere for better opportunities.