Accounting at Temple University

Temple's accounting program launches graduates into $63,000 starting salaries—nearly $10,000 above the national average for accounting degrees and solid middle-of-the-pack performance among Pennsylvania's 76 programs. With debt at $26,000 (right at national norms), graduates face manageable payments while earning more than most accounting grads nationwide. The 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would borrow less than half their first-year salary, a comfortable position for launching a professional career.

The state context reveals an interesting dynamic: Temple trails Pennsylvania's elite accounting programs (Villanova and Lehigh grads start above $77,000), but not by as much as you might expect given Temple's 83% admission rate and significantly lower tuition costs. Your child would graduate from a broadly accessible program performing in the 83rd percentile nationally, a strong return on investment for families who can't or won't pay private school premiums.

The modest 8% earnings growth to year four isn't spectacular, but accounting salaries tend to plateau early before jumping with CPA certification and promotions—dynamics this data doesn't capture. For families seeking a reliable path to middle-class income without crushing debt, Temple delivers exactly that. The program won't match Villanova's earning power, but it offers professional credentials and earnings well above the typical college graduate at a fraction of the cost.