Accounting at Southern University and A & M College

Southern University's accounting program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground—earnings that trail both national and state standards, paired with debt loads that exceed them. At $42,524 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $4,000 less than the Louisiana median and nearly $11,000 below the national benchmark. Meanwhile, the $30,750 in typical debt is 36% higher than what Louisiana accounting students usually carry. For context, LSU accounting graduates just 90 minutes away start at $56,910—a $14,000 advantage that compounds over a career.

The 40th percentile ranking among Louisiana programs tells an important story: this isn't the weakest option in the state, but it's competing with schools like Northwestern State and ULM that deliver similar or better outcomes with less debt. The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio technically passes the manageable threshold, but it's tight enough that it limits financial flexibility in those critical early career years. The modest 6% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates aren't rapidly closing the gap with peers from other programs.

For families considering Southern's accounting program—particularly given the 65% Pell Grant population the school serves—this represents a pathway into professional accounting, but not necessarily the most efficient one. If affordability through in-state tuition or location is the deciding factor, understand you're accepting a steeper climb compared to alternatives across Louisiana.