Accounting at University of the District of Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia's accounting program produces graduates who earn $61,610 their first year out—well above the national median but trailing most DC competitors. While this outperforms 78% of accounting programs nationwide, it lands in just the 40th percentile locally, where Georgetown ($89,564) and other private universities set a higher bar. The $32,160 in median debt, however, is remarkably low compared to both national and local norms, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. For context, UDC serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (43%), making this accessibility particularly meaningful.

The practical upside here is clear: graduates enter the workforce with professional-level salaries and debt loads they can handle. An accounting graduate earning over $60,000 can realistically pay down $32,000 in debt within a few years while building a career. The program doesn't match the elite DC outcomes, but it delivers solid middle-class entry points without the financial burden that often accompanies private university degrees.

One important caveat: these numbers reflect fewer than 30 graduates, so individual experiences may vary more than usual. Still, for DC-area families looking at in-state tuition rates and reasonable debt, this represents a credible path into accounting without the premium price tag of Georgetown or GW—even if it means starting a rung or two lower on the earnings ladder.