Accounting at Southwestern University

Accounting programs in Texas show a wide spectrum of outcomes, and based on comparable programs statewide, Southwestern's estimated first-year earnings of $49,406 sit squarely at the state median—roughly $20,000 below what graduates from UT Austin or Texas A&M typically command. With an estimated debt load of $22,759, the math works reasonably well: you're looking at debt equal to about 46% of first-year earnings, which falls comfortably in the manageable range for an accounting degree that generally offers steady employment prospects.

The challenge here is visibility. Southwestern's selective 39% admission rate and strong SAT scores suggest a quality academic environment, but without reported outcomes data for its specific accounting program, you're essentially betting that this small private university delivers results consistent with the broader Texas accounting market rather than matching the premium outcomes of nearby competitors. The national median for accounting degrees sits slightly higher at $53,694, indicating that Texas programs as a whole—and by extension, this estimated figure—track somewhat below the national average.

For a parent considering the investment, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable, but you're paying private school tuition for outcomes that appear middle-of-the-pack for Texas. If Southwestern offers specific advantages—tight-knit faculty relationships, strong regional CPA firm connections, or a campus culture that fits your student—those intangibles may justify the choice. Otherwise, the numbers suggest exploring whether comparable or better estimated returns might come at lower cost elsewhere in the state's accounting landscape.