Accounting at University of Denver

University of Denver's accounting graduates are earning nearly $15,000 more than the state median just one year out—ranking in the 80th percentile among Colorado programs. While small sample size means individual outcomes may vary more than these numbers suggest, the trajectory is striking: from $67,392 in year one to over $80,000 by year four. These earnings outpace not just Colorado State's well-regarded programs but nearly every accounting program in the state.

The debt picture adds to the appeal. At $21,288, DU graduates carry roughly $12,000 less debt than the typical Colorado accounting graduate, and about $4,000 less than the national median. That's particularly notable given DU's private school tuition—suggesting strong financial aid packages for accounting students. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of gross earnings.

The main caveat is that small sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two exceptional outcomes could skew these figures significantly. The 71% admission rate and modest Pell enrollment (15%) also suggest this program may be drawing from a relatively advantaged student pool. Still, if your child can access DU at manageable cost, this accounting program appears to deliver strong returns—substantially better than most Colorado alternatives and among the top 5% nationally.