Accounting at University of Mary

Based on comparable accounting programs in North Dakota, graduates here likely start around $55,490—placing this program squarely in the middle of the state's eight bachelor's accounting offerings. That's slightly above the national median but notably behind University of North Dakota's $61,280 and NDSU's $57,695. The estimated $26,588 in debt produces a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. For context, that's close to both state and national norms for accounting degrees.

The practical reality: accounting credentials tend to produce consistent employment outcomes, and these estimated figures suggest a workable financial path. A sub-0.5 debt ratio typically allows graduates to manage loan payments without financial strain, particularly in a field with clear career progression. However, the gap between this program and ND's top accounting schools—nearly $6,000 annually compared to UND—adds up to roughly $240,000 over a 40-year career, assuming that gap persists.

The takeaway for parents: while the debt picture appears reasonable based on peer programs, you're looking at estimated outcomes rather than this school's actual track record. If accounting is the goal, request information about the program's CPA pass rates, job placement specifics, and why the DOE lacks reportable graduate data—those details matter more than these state-level projections when you're comparing to nearby programs with documented results.