Median Earnings (1yr)
$67,359
94th percentile
60th percentile in California
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median

Analysis

University of Redlands accounting graduates earn $87,099 four years outβ€”well above the national median of $53,694 and solidly positioned among California's accounting programs, though not at the very top tier. At the 60th percentile statewide, these graduates trail the big names like Santa Clara and USC but outperform most California schools. The $27,000 median debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that gives graduates breathing room to establish their careers. Strong 29% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are advancing into more senior accounting roles.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift significantly with a different cohort. That said, the pattern makes sense for a selective liberal arts university with a professional programβ€”solid preparation and strong regional placement without the premium price tag or elite credentials of USC or Santa Clara. For an 81% acceptance rate school, these outcomes punch above weight.

For parents weighing options, this program delivers strong value if your child gets in-state tuition or substantial aid. The debt burden is reasonable, and the earnings trajectory suggests graduates are competitive in the California job market. Just recognize you're looking at a small sampleβ€”ask the school about recent placement rates and whether these numbers hold across multiple graduating classes.

Where University of Redlands Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Redlands graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Redlands$67,359$87,099+29%
Santa Clara University$78,417$101,411+29%
University of San Francisco$72,588$92,299+27%
Menlo College$71,067$92,161+30%
Loyola Marymount University$70,960$91,902+30%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (44 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of RedlandsRedlands$57,614$67,359$87,099$27,0000.40
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$59,241$78,417$101,411$19,2500.25
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$73,903$90,072$16,5000.22
California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks$50,670$72,696$75,436$21,8580.30
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco$58,222$72,588$92,299$24,6600.34
Menlo CollegeAtherton$51,070$71,067$92,161$26,9550.38
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Redlands, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.