Accounting at Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin's accounting program sits squarely at the Texas median for starting salaries ($49,406), but that 60th percentile ranking within the state tells a more nuanced story—half of Texas accounting programs do worse, including many that charge significantly more. While graduates here earn about $4,300 less than the national median initially, they're entering the workforce with notably manageable debt ($22,828 versus $25,000 nationally).

The math works in students' favor: a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, and with 21% earnings growth by year four (reaching nearly $60,000), that debt burden shrinks quickly. For context, this program costs substantially less than the elite Texas options—TCU and SMU graduates start around $68-72K but typically carry far higher debt loads. The gap narrows over time as SFA grads gain experience.

This represents solid value for families seeking an affordable path into accounting, particularly for in-state students at an accessible institution (88% admission rate, serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients). You're getting median Texas outcomes at below-median Texas debt. The tradeoff is clear: you won't match UT-Austin's starting salary, but you'll likely finish with a fraction of the debt and reach respectable mid-career earnings. For students planning to pursue CPA licensure—where credentials matter more than pedigree—this equation makes sense.