Accounting at Sullivan University

Sullivan University's accounting associate program carries $28,081 in median debt—roughly $8,000 above the national median and $7,000 more than Kentucky's typical accounting program. That's a meaningful difference when earnings four years out hit $42,764, especially given that first-year earnings for similar programs nationally sit around $37,000.

The debt load here ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable accounting programs leave students with less debt. While the four-year earnings figure is actual reported data and lands solidly above both the national median ($37,000) and Kentucky's median ($26,189), you're starting with a steeper climb. With a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.76 based on peer programs, graduates would need to dedicate roughly nine months of their first year's gross income to clear this debt—manageable, but only if those estimated first-year earnings hold true for Sullivan's specific graduates.

The concerning element is that only 11% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting this is an expensive option primarily serving families who can shoulder higher costs. If you're considering this program, compare it directly against community college accounting programs in Kentucky that might deliver similar credentials with substantially less debt. The extra $8,000 in borrowing needs to translate into meaningfully better career placement or connections to justify the premium.