Median Earnings (1yr)
$54,209
52nd percentile
40th percentile in New Hampshire
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median

Analysis

Plymouth State's accounting program produces graduates who match national earnings benchmarks but fall short within New Hampshire, where it ranks in just the 40th percentile. Starting at $54,209, graduates earn slightly above the national median but trail nearby competitors like Saint Anselm ($60,830) and Southern New Hampshire University ($54,898)β€”a meaningful gap when you're living in the same state with the same cost of living.

The debt picture looks reasonable at first glance: $27,000 equals exactly half of first-year earnings, which beats most accounting programs nationally. However, the near-flat earnings trajectoryβ€”just 1% growth over four yearsβ€”is unusual for accounting, where professional certifications and experience typically drive steady income increases. This stagnation suggests graduates may be landing in roles with limited advancement potential.

The critical caveat here is the small sample size of under 30 graduates. These numbers could shift dramatically with just a few data points, making them less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. For a field as established as accounting, where outcomes are typically predictable, this limited data raises questions about program size and placement consistency. If your child is serious about accounting in New Hampshire, Saint Anselm's stronger track record warrants the comparison shopping, even if it costs more upfront.

Where Plymouth State University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Plymouth State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Plymouth State University$54,209$54,684+1%
Georgetown University$89,564$127,971+43%
Santa Clara University$78,417$101,411+29%
Southern New Hampshire University$54,898$61,017+11%
Franklin Pierce University$45,356$57,926+28%

Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (8 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth$14,558$54,209$54,684$27,0000.50
Saint Anselm CollegeManchester$46,810$60,830β€”$27,0000.44
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester$16,450$54,898$61,017$34,9000.64
Franklin Pierce UniversityRindge$44,963$45,356$57,926$26,2740.58
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

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 Plymouth State University, approximately 26% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.