Accounting at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The estimated first-year earnings of $64,012—derived from Maryland's median for accounting bachelor's programs—align closely with what this state's accounting graduates typically earn. But there's an immediate concern: the reported four-year earnings figure of $50,761 is actually lower than the one-year estimate, suggesting either career stagnation or that graduates may be struggling to maintain full-time accounting positions. With $24,750 in debt, the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 looks manageable if that first-year number holds, but if the four-year trajectory is more accurate, you're looking at a debt load that becomes harder to justify.

Context matters here. University of Maryland Eastern Shore serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (53%), and its 90% admission rate indicates it's providing access to students who might not have other options. Comparable Maryland programs at College Park and Loyola produce first-year earnings around $69,000, while this program's graduates appear to earn less over time. The debt itself isn't excessive—it's essentially at the state median—but paired with potentially declining earnings, that's a warning sign about either job placement support or the types of positions graduates are securing.

The bottom line: if your child can expect earnings near that $64,000 estimate and it holds steady, this program works financially. But that four-year earnings drop demands explanation during campus visits—ask directly about CPA exam pass rates, job placement specifics, and why earnings might decline rather than grow with experience.