Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,700
46th percentile
40th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$20,973
16% below national median

Analysis

The University of Toledo's accounting program sits squarely in the middle of Ohio's offerings, ranking at the 40th percentile among in-state options. First-year earnings of $52,700 trail the state median by nearly $4,000, and the gap persists even after four years when graduates earn $62,290—still below what Ohio State or Miami grads typically start with. For context, top Ohio accounting programs launch graduates at salaries $5,000 to $15,000 higher.

The financial equation does work reasonably well, though. At just under $21,000 in debt—significantly lower than both state and national medians—Toledo graduates face a manageable debt burden that represents only 40% of first-year earnings. That's a meaningful advantage when many accounting programs saddle students with $25,000 or more. The 18% earnings growth to year four also suggests solid career progression, even if the starting point lags peers.

For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, Toledo delivers professional credibility without crushing debt. Your child will likely need to work harder to compete for top accounting firm positions against Ohio State or Miami grads, but the CPA credential matters more than the diploma in this field. The real question is whether the $10,000 savings in debt justifies starting $4,000 behind in earnings—and for most middle-class Ohio families, that math probably works out fine.

Where University of Toledo Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Toledo 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 Toledo$52,700$62,290+18%
Case Western Reserve University$67,830$78,857+16%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$62,399$77,705+25%
Miami University-Oxford$67,743$77,503+14%
John Carroll University$62,145$75,037+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (57 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of ToledoToledo$12,377$52,700$62,290$20,9730.40
Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland$64,671$67,830$78,857$25,0000.37
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$67,743$77,503$23,0000.34
University of DaytonDayton$47,600$65,127$72,243$27,0000.41
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$62,399$77,705$23,2840.37
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights$49,100$62,145$75,037$27,0000.43
National Median$53,694$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 Toledo, approximately 26% 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 79 graduates with reported earnings and 74 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.