Accounting at University of Louisiana at Monroe

ULM's accounting program offers one of the best debt loads you'll find anywhere—graduating students owe just $12,834, less than half the state median and far below the national benchmark. That's a meaningful advantage that deserves serious consideration, especially for families concerned about loan burden. Among Louisiana accounting programs, graduates land near the 60th percentile for earnings, which means they're outperforming most in-state options while carrying dramatically less debt.

The earnings trajectory looks promising: starting salaries of $48,000 jump to nearly $62,000 by year four, a 29% increase that suggests these graduates are advancing in their careers. While first-year earnings trail national figures by about $6,000, they're essentially matching the Louisiana median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is excellent—graduates owe less than three months' salary, making loan repayment manageable even on entry-level accounting wages.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so these numbers could shift with a larger cohort. Still, the combination of strong earnings growth and remarkably low debt creates a risk profile that's hard to beat for Louisiana families. If your student is staying in-state for cost reasons, this program delivers accounting credentials without the financial weight that often comes with them.