Accounting at Saint Martin's University

Four years out, graduates in this program earn $64,236—a figure that sits comfortably above both the national median ($53,694) and in line with Washington's strong accounting market. However, the estimated first-year earnings of $61,021 and debt of $25,625 are derived from peer programs across the state, making it difficult to assess Saint Martin's specific outcomes. What we can say is that the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 would be manageable if these estimates hold true.

The bigger question is competitive positioning. Washington's top accounting programs—Seattle University, Gonzaga, and the University of Washington system—all produce first-year earnings in the $62,000-$70,000 range with their actual reported data. If Saint Martin's truly delivers outcomes similar to the state median, it's holding its own against larger competitors. But without school-specific data, you're betting on comparable results from a program with a 76% admission rate and below-average test scores compared to these peers.

The practical issue: accounting credentials typically lead to stable employment with clear career paths, and the estimated debt load is reasonable. But you're making this investment without knowing if Saint Martin's placement rates, employer relationships, or CPA exam pass rates match the state average. If this is your only option in the Lacey area or offers significant non-financial advantages, the fundamentals look sound—just recognize you're operating on educated guesswork about this specific program's value.