Accounting at University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque's accounting graduates earn about $8,000 less than the Iowa median for this major—a meaningful gap in a state with 23 accounting programs. While the starting salary of $51,359 isn't far below the national median, it lags behind nearby competitors like Drake ($65,922) and Iowa ($65,373), placing this program squarely at the 40th percentile both statewide and nationally. The 26% earnings growth over four years is solid, but graduates are still playing catch-up to their peers from the start.

The financial picture offers a partial offset: at $29,000, student debt sits below both state and national medians, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56. That's less debt than you'd take on at most Iowa schools, which matters when your starting salary is lower. The relatively high Pell grant rate (40%) suggests the school serves students who may be particularly debt-sensitive.

The major caveat here is sample size—this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so a few outliers could skew the numbers significantly. For families weighing cost against outcomes, this program delivers accessible accounting credentials without crushing debt, but you're trading lower upfront costs for below-average early career earnings. If your child has admission options at Iowa's higher-performing programs, the earnings difference may justify slightly higher investment.