Accounting at Mount Saint Mary's University

Mount Saint Mary's accounting graduates earn $60,763 in their first year—comfortably above the national median but noticeably below California's typical accounting outcomes. While this program ranks in the 76th percentile nationally, it sits right at the state's 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten California accounting programs produce higher earnings. In a state where the median accounting grad earns $62,202, Mount Saint Mary's falls just short, and the gap widens considerably when comparing to top California programs like Santa Clara ($78,417) or USC ($73,903).

The financial structure works in students' favor: graduates carry $27,373 in debt with a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they owe less than half their first year's salary. That's manageable debt that should allow for comfortable repayment. The program also serves a largely middle-class population, with 55% of students receiving Pell grants, suggesting strong accessibility for families who need it most.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. For families prioritizing stability and proven outcomes at scale, larger California programs might offer more reliable data. But if your student connects with Mount Saint Mary's mission and community, the debt load is reasonable enough to make this workable, even if the earnings don't quite match California's accounting market standards.