Accounting at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's accounting program punches well above its weight in a crowded Illinois market. With first-year earnings of $74,731, graduates out-earn peers at 40 of the state's 42 accounting programs—and they do it with debt levels nearly $3,000 below the state median. The program outperforms even prestigious private universities like Illinois Wesleyan and Loyola Chicago, despite UIUC's 44% admission rate making it more accessible than many elite business schools.

The value proposition becomes even clearer nationally. These graduates earn 39% more than the typical accounting bachelor's recipient, placing them in the 95th percentile. While the debt load sits at $20,500 (slightly higher than ideal), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in just over three months of gross income. That's a manageable burden given the strong starting salary, and earnings continue climbing to above $80,000 by year four.

For Illinois families, this is straightforward: UIUC delivers top-tier accounting outcomes at public school prices. The combination of strong employer recognition, solid earnings growth, and reasonable debt makes this one of the best accounting investments in the state.