Accounting at The College of Idaho

In Idaho's accounting landscape, this program sits at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $47,000—trailing substantially behind nearby Brigham Young University-Idaho's $57,000 and even Boise State's $53,000. For a selective liberal arts college with a 47% admission rate, these peer program comparisons raise questions about return on investment.

The estimated debt load of $26,588 pushes above both the state and national medians for accounting programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that's manageable but not impressive. Similar accounting programs nationally typically see graduates earning around $54,000 in their first year, suggesting Idaho accounting salaries lag the national market by roughly $7,000. That gap matters when you're comparing debt burdens that exceed what most accounting students nationally carry.

The practical issue is whether The College of Idaho's smaller program justifies paying more to earn less than you would at larger Idaho state schools. If your child values the liberal arts environment and smaller classes, the premium might make sense. But purely from a financial standpoint, comparable programs in Idaho suggest better earning potential elsewhere with less debt.