Accounting at University of North Georgia

University of North Georgia's accounting program produces graduates whose earnings start below both national and state medians but show solid growth potential. First-year earnings of $49,588 trail the Georgia average by about $1,000, placing this program in the 40th percentile among the state's 38 accounting programs—decidedly middle-of-the-pack for a state with strong accounting options at UGA and Kennesaw State.

The manageable debt load of $23,250 helps offset the earnings gap. With less than half a year's starting salary needed to cover student loans, graduates have breathing room that many accounting students at pricier programs don't enjoy. The 24% earnings bump by year four ($61,625) suggests the program adequately prepares students for career advancement, even if they're not commanding top salaries immediately after graduation.

For families prioritizing affordability and reasonable outcomes over prestige, this works. You're trading lower initial earnings for significantly less debt than Georgia's median of $26,000. But if your child has the credentials for UGA (where graduates earn $64,000 right away) or Kennesaw State ($57,814), those programs deliver substantially better returns. UNG makes sense primarily if cost constraints or the school's location matter more than maximizing early-career earnings.