Accounting at University of the Incarnate Word

For a field as standardized as accounting, earning power varies dramatically by institution in Texas. Based on comparable programs across the state, Incarnate Word graduates can expect first-year earnings around $49,400—nearly $20,000 below what similar credentials earn at UT Austin or Texas A&M. That gap matters when you're building toward CPA licensure and climbing the salary ladder in public accounting or corporate finance.

The estimated $22,800 in debt aligns closely with other Texas accounting programs and produces a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is reasonable compared to the national median of $25,000 for accounting bachelor's degrees. The financial burden itself isn't alarming, but it becomes less attractive when paired with below-national-median starting salaries. Accounting graduates nationwide typically earn $53,700 in their first year—about $4,300 more than what Texas programs like Incarnate Word's suggest.

Here's what this means practically: your child will likely enter the same CPA track as graduates from higher-earning programs but start at a lower base salary. If Incarnate Word offers significant merit aid that reduces that debt figure, or if staying in San Antonio provides cost-of-living advantages, those factors could offset the earnings gap. Otherwise, compare the net price here against public options like Texas State or UT San Antonio, which may deliver similar outcomes at lower cost.