Accounting at Saint Peter's University

Saint Peter's University's accounting program shows a striking earnings trajectory, but the initial numbers tell a challenging story. First-year graduates earn just $40,562—landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile statewide, significantly below New Jersey's median of $53,852. Compare this to top NJ programs where graduates immediately earn around $70,000, and the gap becomes stark. The $21,500 debt load is reasonable, but when you're earning barely $40,000 in expensive Jersey City, that still translates to a difficult financial start.

Here's what makes this complicated: earnings jump dramatically to $72,099 by year four—a 78% increase that actually exceeds what top-tier NJ programs report. This suggests graduates either need time to pass their CPA exams and launch their careers, or they're starting in entry-level roles that eventually lead somewhere better. But banking on that four-year outcome means weathering several tough financial years first, particularly problematic for the 54% of students here on Pell grants who likely can't rely on family support during lean early-career years.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. For a family considering this program, the question is whether your child can handle the financial strain of those first years while waiting for earnings to catch up. If immediate income matters—say, for paying off additional private loans—stronger-performing NJ accounting programs offer more reliable starting salaries.