Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
Looking at similar accounting programs across California, Point Loma's estimated outcomes—$62,202 in first-year earnings against roughly $25,000 in debt—land squarely at the state median. That's a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe about five months of their first year's salary. For a bachelor's in accounting, that's manageable financing, especially compared to California's top private programs where similar students might face identical debt loads but potentially earn $10,000-15,000 more annually at places like Santa Clara or USC.
The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here—both the earnings and debt figures come from peer programs, not actual Point Loma graduates. The $62,202 baseline sits comfortably above the national median of $53,694, but whether Point Loma's specific outcomes match that California average remains unclear. Given the school's 82% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment, it's drawing a different student population than the state's accounting powerhouses, which could push actual results in either direction.
If your child is committed to accounting and Point Loma's faith-based environment fits their needs, the estimated numbers suggest a reasonable investment—certainly better than most bachelor's degrees nationally. But understand you're making this decision with borrowed data from similar schools rather than a proven track record for this particular program.
Where Point Loma Nazarene University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (44 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $43,550 | $62,202* | — | $24,969* | — | |
| $59,241 | $78,417* | $101,411 | $19,250* | 0.25 | |
| $68,237 | $73,903* | $90,072 | $16,500* | 0.22 | |
| $50,670 | $72,696* | $75,436 | $21,858* | 0.30 | |
| $58,222 | $72,588* | $92,299 | $24,660* | 0.34 | |
| $51,070 | $71,067* | $92,161 | $26,955* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | — | $53,694* | — | $25,000* | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Financial Examiners
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
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 Point Loma Nazarene University, approximately 23% 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 26 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.