Accounting at The College of Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica's accounting program produces graduates who earn about $2,800 less than the typical Minnesota accounting graduate—landing at the 40th percentile statewide despite performing above the national average. That gap matters in a regional job market where top Minnesota programs like University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Bethel regularly place graduates at $65,000+. The relatively modest debt load of $22,000 (well below both state and national medians) creates a manageable financial picture, with graduates owing less than 40% of their first-year salary.

The slow earnings trajectory deserves attention: just 4% growth over four years suggests graduates may hit a ceiling quickly or struggle to advance into higher-paying roles. Combined with the below-median state performance, this pattern raises questions about whether the program opens doors to the higher-value accounting positions that drive stronger career growth. The school's 94% admission rate and modest SAT scores may signal that recruiting connections skew toward smaller regional firms rather than the Big Four or corporate finance departments.

With a sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The debt advantage is real, but families should weigh whether $6,000 less in loans justifies potentially earning $9,000 less annually than graduates from stronger in-state programs—a gap that compounds quickly over a career.