Accounting (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Saint Mary

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$53,842

Est. from KS median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$33,552

Est. from KS median (6 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable accounting programs in Kansas, graduates here would likely earn around $54,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $34,000 in debt—about $9,000 more than the typical Kansas accounting graduate. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 means you're looking at borrowing over seven months of first-year salary, which is manageable but not competitive within the state.

The challenge becomes clearer when you examine other Kansas options. Programs at Kansas State, Wichita State, and even smaller schools like Benedictine College show graduates earning $4,000 to $6,000 more annually while typically carrying less debt. For a credential where employers largely value the CPA license over the school name, that's a meaningful difference—it translates to faster debt payoff and more financial breathing room early in a career.

The real question is whether University of Saint Mary offers something specific that justifies the higher debt load for similar outcomes. If your child has unique reasons to attend—location, fit, or specific support services—the numbers aren't prohibitive. But if you're comparison shopping accounting programs in Kansas purely on return on investment, several state schools appear to offer a stronger financial position at graduation.

Where University of Saint Mary Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (24 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Saint MaryLeavenworth	$33,890	$53,842*	—	$33,552*	—
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$60,155*	$68,922	$24,250*	0.40
Wichita State UniversityWichita	$9,322	$59,448*	$63,799	$22,250*	0.37
Benedictine CollegeAtchison	$34,800	$58,320*	$68,559	$20,500*	0.35
Fort Hays State UniversityHays	$5,633	$56,503*	$44,024	$26,000*	0.46
Washburn UniversityTopeka	$9,578	$55,197*	$58,768	$20,853*	0.38
National Median	—	$53,694*	—	$25,000*	0.47

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Saint Mary, approximately 37% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 13 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.