Accounting at Southwest Minnesota State University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (31 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Minnesota State University | $58,472* | $65,096 | $26,621* | — |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $66,591* | $80,603 | $22,342* | 0.34 |
| Bethel University | $65,587* | — | —* | — |
| University of St Thomas | $65,573* | $70,313 | $25,000* | 0.38 |
| Augsburg University | $64,695* | $69,716 | $26,996* | 0.42 |
| College of Saint Benedict | $64,410* | $66,880 | $26,925* | 0.42 |
| National Median | $53,694* | — | $25,000* | 0.47 |
Other Accounting Programs in Minnesota
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis | $16,488 | $66,591 | $22,342 |
| Bethel University Saint Paul | $42,930 | $65,587 | — |
| University of St Thomas Saint Paul | $52,284 | $65,573 | $25,000 |
| Augsburg University Minneapolis | $43,942 | $64,695 | $26,996 |
| College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph | $53,884 | $64,410 | $26,925 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southwest Minnesota State University, approximately 11% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 24 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.