Median Earnings (1yr)
$63,059
82nd percentile
80th percentile in Texas
Median Debt
$21,673
13% below national median

Analysis

Texas Tech's accounting program punches well above its weight, delivering earnings that outpace 80% of Texas accounting programs despite the university's accessible 71% admission rate. That $63,059 starting salary sits $10,000 above the typical Texas accounting graduate and nearly $20,000 above the national medianβ€”remarkable value for a program that doesn't require elite test scores to enter.

The financial picture looks particularly strong when you consider that students leave with just $21,673 in debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 that most graduates can manage comfortably. Within four years, median earnings jump to $76,067, putting Texas Tech graduates within striking distance of peers from UT-Austin and Texas A&M while likely paying significantly less in tuition. The 21% earnings growth suggests this program builds skills that employers increasingly value.

For families balancing cost and outcomes, Texas Tech represents a smart middle ground: you're getting top-quintile results in Texas without the sticker price or admission pressure of schools like TCU or SMU. The large sample size confirms these aren't fluky numbersβ€”this program consistently delivers strong ROI for students willing to spend four years in Lubbock.

Where Texas Tech University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Texas Tech University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Texas Tech University$63,059$76,067+21%
Texas A&M University-College Station$67,186$84,502+26%
Baylor University$68,187$80,617+18%
Texas Christian University$72,031$78,532+9%
The University of Texas at Austin$68,082$78,482+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (67 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock$11,852$63,059$76,067$21,6730.34
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth$57,220$72,031$78,532$17,7780.25
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$68,643$77,801$15,8500.23
Baylor UniversityWaco$54,844$68,187$80,617$20,5000.30
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$68,082$78,482$19,4620.29
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station$13,099$67,186$84,502$17,6410.26
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Texas Tech University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 222 graduates with reported earnings and 226 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.