Accounting at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

UNC Greensboro's accounting graduates earn less than their peers at most comparable programs, starting at $47,207—roughly $6,500 below both the national median and what graduates earn at NC State or Appalachian State. Within North Carolina's 37 accounting programs, this ranks at just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten programs produce better outcomes. The upside is manageable debt: at $21,633, students borrow about $4,000 less than typical accounting graduates, which keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.46.

The 12% earnings growth over four years is solid, and reaching $53,080 by year four puts graduates closer to competitive territory. For students committed to staying in North Carolina who can access in-state tuition, this program offers an affordable path to an accounting career without crushing debt. But families should recognize they're trading lower debt for lower earnings—this isn't a hidden gem outperforming expectations.

If your child has admission offers from NC State, Appalachian State, or UNC Asheville, those programs deliver $8,000-$9,000 higher starting salaries that would quickly offset any tuition differences. UNC Greensboro makes sense primarily for students prioritizing accessibility and affordability over maximizing early career earnings, particularly those who might struggle with admission elsewhere or need to minimize borrowing.