Accounting at St. Mary's University

St. Mary's accounting graduates reach $71,638 by their fourth year—a solid mid-career figure that exceeds the national median by $18,000. However, the estimated starting salary of around $49,000 (based on typical Texas accounting programs) trails the national median by nearly $4,400, placing graduates in the bottom half of earning potential among peer schools. That first-year gap matters when you consider that top programs in Texas like TCU and UT-Austin start their accounting grads closer to $68,000-$72,000.

The estimated debt load of roughly $23,000 keeps this investment manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5—meaning graduates would need less than half their first-year salary to cover borrowing. This aligns closely with typical Texas accounting programs and stays below the national median. The trajectory from first to fourth year shows meaningful salary growth, suggesting employers value the experience these graduates gain even if the starting position isn't top-tier.

For families choosing St. Mary's over higher-ranked alternatives, the question becomes whether the $20,000+ salary difference at career start justifies any cost premium elsewhere. The school serves a predominantly middle-income student body (42% Pell-eligible), and if your child is paying significantly less than they would at UT or Baylor, this path could work. But if net costs are comparable, the earnings data from comparable programs suggests looking closely at those higher-performing alternatives.