Accounting at Mount St. Mary's University

Mount St. Mary's accounting graduates launch into careers earning nearly $65,000—substantially above the national median of $54,000 and placing them in the 87th percentile nationally. That's impressive performance for a small Catholic university with a 72% admission rate. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these figures could shift significantly year to year.

Within Maryland, the picture becomes more nuanced. The program sits right at the state median, trailing Maryland heavyweights like UMD and Loyola by about $5,000. But here's what matters: graduates carry just $19,500 in debt—substantially less than both the state median ($24,836) and national benchmark ($25,000). That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, meaning the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their entire debt load in under four months of gross earnings. Four years out, salaries edge up to $67,000, placing Mount St. Mary's in striking distance of Maryland's top-performing programs.

For families weighing this option, you're looking at strong earnings potential with notably lower debt than most alternatives. The modest earnings growth suggests accounting salaries plateau relatively early, but the initial salary and light debt load create a comfortable financial foundation. Just remember that with limited data, individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs.