Accounting at Nichols College

At first glance, Nichols College's accounting program looks reasonable—graduates earn the national median and carry manageable debt. But here's what matters for Massachusetts families: those starting salaries trail the state median by $11,500, landing this program in just the 25th percentile among Bay State accounting programs. That's a significant gap when you're competing for jobs alongside graduates from UMass-Amherst ($67,574) or the state's many other accounting programs that cluster well above $65,000.

The debt picture of $25,858 is fair, and the 24% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates do gain ground. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. For a profession where credentials and early earnings trajectories typically align closely, this variability is worth noting.

For parents weighing this investment, the question is whether Nichols' accessible admissions (88% acceptance rate) and presumably supportive environment justify starting $11,500 behind the Massachusetts norm. If your child needs a less competitive entry point into accounting, this program delivers employability with reasonable debt. But if they can gain admission to UMass or similar programs, the higher starting salary would likely offset any difference in cost within the first year or two of work.