Accounting at Providence College

Providence College accounting grads start at $69,000—substantially higher than both the national median ($54,000) and the Rhode Island median ($58,000). That's top-tier performance in a small state market, placing these graduates above established business schools like Bryant University and Roger Williams. Four years out, earnings climb to $84,000, suggesting solid career progression.

The $27,000 median debt sits at the 25th percentile nationally, meaning 75% of accounting programs saddle students with more. Combined with strong starting salaries, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 represents a manageable burden—graduates earn enough in their first year to theoretically pay off debt in well under five years. That said, Providence College's low Pell grant percentage (13%) suggests many students come from families who can supplement with savings, which may help explain the relatively modest borrowing.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can skew the numbers significantly. A few graduates landing big-firm positions in Boston could inflate the median, while a bad hiring year could tank it. Still, the pattern is encouraging—Providence's liberal arts foundation combined with accounting rigor appears to produce competitive candidates. For families who can afford the roughly $27,000 in student loans, this program delivers strong earning potential right out of the gate.