Accounting at North Central College

North Central College graduates start with $58,717—solidly above both the national median ($53,694) and Illinois state median ($54,694) for accounting programs. That 60th percentile ranking among Illinois schools is meaningful in a competitive accounting market where many students stay in-state. The debt load of $26,667 is slightly higher than the state median but results in a comfortable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary.

The 18% earnings growth to $69,387 by year four shows steady career progression, bringing graduates close to DePaul and Loyola territory without the price tag of those larger Chicago institutions. While this program doesn't match the elite outcomes of U of I Urbana-Champaign, it performs competitively against other private Illinois colleges, particularly when you consider North Central's more accessible 58% admission rate.

For families weighing accounting programs in Illinois, this represents a practical middle ground: better-than-average outcomes without excessive debt, from a moderately selective school in the Chicago suburbs where accounting jobs are plentiful. The numbers suggest graduates are finding solid entry-level positions and advancing on schedule.