Accounting at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

UMass Dartmouth accounting graduates start well behind their Massachusetts peers—earning $48,585 in their first year puts them in just the 25th percentile statewide, roughly $17,000 below the state median. When neighboring UMass Amherst accounting grads start at $67,574 and programs like Bentley and Holy Cross command over $72,000, the gap is hard to ignore for parents comparing in-state options.

The silver lining is growth: earnings jump 33% by year four to $64,381, nearly catching up to the state median. The debt load of $25,275 is reasonable—about half of first-year earnings—making this affordable even with the slower start. This is fundamentally a program where you pay less (both in debt and likely tuition) but accept lower initial positioning in the accounting job market.

For students targeting Big Four firms or competitive corporate positions in Boston, this program's outcomes suggest they'll face steeper odds. But for those seeking steadier accounting roles in southeastern Massachusetts with manageable debt, the combination of accessible admissions, reasonable costs, and eventual earnings growth creates a viable path. Just understand you're trading prestige and starting salary for affordability and the UMass credential.