Accounting at University of Hartford

The small sample size here requires caution, but the pattern is clear: University of Hartford's accounting graduates start well behind their Connecticut peers. At $52,000 one year out, they're earning about $14,000 less than the state median and fall in just the 25th percentile among Connecticut accounting programs. The gap is stark when you look at UConn and private competitors like Quinnipiac, where graduates earn $70,000-$75,000 right out of the gate.

The debt load of $26,250 is reasonable and actually slightly above the Connecticut median, giving a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 26% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates do gain ground over time, reaching $65,695. However, they're still playing catch-up to where their peers from other Connecticut programs started. For a state with a strong accounting market and competitive programs at similar or lower price points, this raises real questions about relative value.

If your child is set on University of Hartford for specific reasons—campus culture, location, or particular faculty—the debt burden won't sink them. But from a pure return-on-investment standpoint, Connecticut families should seriously compare offers from UConn or other state schools where accounting graduates command significantly higher starting salaries. The earnings gap matters when you're repaying loans and building savings in those critical first years.