Accounting at Quincy University

Four years after graduation, this program's reported earnings of $48,616 fall well short of where Illinois accounting graduates typically land. Based on comparable programs across the state, first-year earnings around $54,694 suggest a sharp income drop between years one and four—an unusual trajectory that raises questions about career progression for this cohort.

The estimated $25,250 in debt aligns closely with both state and national norms for accounting degrees, producing a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 based on those first-year estimates. However, if the actual year-four earnings of $48,616 reflect the more typical outcome, graduates would be starting loan repayment at a steeper burden than initially expected. For context, top accounting programs in Illinois—like U of I at $74,731 or Illinois Wesleyan at $70,831—deliver substantially higher returns, though these come with their own competitive admissions requirements.

The divergence between estimated first-year and reported fourth-year earnings is the critical unknown here. If graduates truly earn more initially but less by year four, that suggests either limited advancement opportunities or career path changes. Without clearer data on this specific program's actual outcomes, prospective students should directly ask the school about graduate career trajectories and whether accounting majors remain in the field long-term. The debt load isn't alarming, but the murky earnings picture demands concrete answers before committing.