Accounting at University of Houston-Victoria

University of Houston-Victoria's accounting program produces graduates earning $46,370 in their first year—below both the national median ($53,694) and Texas median ($49,406). While the program ranks in just the 21st percentile nationally, it sits closer to the middle (40th percentile) among Texas schools, suggesting this reflects the university's regional focus rather than program weakness specifically. The debt load of $28,446 is actually higher than both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 that's manageable but not ideal for a field that typically offers strong starting salaries.

The positive signal here is the 20% earnings jump to $55,740 by year four, which brings graduates closer to competitive territory. For context, elite Texas programs like TCU and UT Austin start near $68,000—roughly 50% higher than UH-Victoria's first-year figure. However, for a regional university serving many Pell Grant recipients (44%), this program provides a pathway to CPA eligibility and middle-class earnings without the sticker price of flagship schools.

This makes sense for students planning to work in the Victoria area or smaller Texas markets where cost of living is lower and starting salaries reflect that reality. It's a harder sell for students who could access flagship programs or who plan to compete for Big Four positions in Houston or Dallas, where that initial earnings gap matters more.