Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,348
Est. from OR median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$28,000
Est. from OR median (5 programs)

Analysis

Oregon accounting programs cluster tightly around $56,000-$60,000 in first-year earnings, and Multnomah's estimated $56,348 sits squarely in this rangeβ€”comparable to what similar Oregon accounting programs report. With estimated debt of $28,000, graduates would face monthly payments around $315, manageable on a salary in the mid-50s. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.5, which falls comfortably within what most financial advisors consider sustainable for bachelor's degree holders.

The challenge here is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Multnomah's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about this specific school's outcomes. What we do know is that accounting remains one of the more stable career paths for bachelor's degree holders, with clear licensing pathways and consistent demand. The fact that 47% of Multnomah students receive Pell grants suggests the school serves a population where manageable debt matters considerably.

For parents weighing this decision, the estimated numbers point to reasonable economics if they hold trueβ€”debt that shouldn't overwhelm starting salaries typical for Oregon accountants. The real question is whether Multnomah's career services, CPA exam preparation, and employer connections match what larger programs in the state deliver. Visit campus, ask about recent graduate placements, and confirm whether students are landing jobs that justify these projected earnings before committing.

Where Multnomah University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (15 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Multnomah UniversityPortland$30,310$56,348*β€”$28,000*β€”
George Fox UniversityNewberg$40,940$59,980*β€”$26,000*0.43
Linfield UniversityMcMinnville$49,530$58,914*$59,945$28,000*0.48
University of OregonEugene$15,669$58,449*$75,219$20,500*0.35
Portland State UniversityPortland$11,238$58,069*$65,584$31,000*0.53
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate StudiesPortlandβ€”$54,626*$61,317$42,765*0.78
National Medianβ€”$53,694*β€”$25,000*0.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Multnomah University, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.