Est. Earnings (1yr)
$57,966
Est. from PA median (42 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from PA median (33 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests manageable financial footing for this program, though the figures come from peer accounting programs across Pennsylvania rather than Valley Forge's own graduates. With estimated first-year earnings of $57,966 and debt around $27,000, the math works similarly to Pennsylvania's typical accounting bachelor'sβ€”placing graduates right at the state median but well below what elite programs produce.

The gap between Valley Forge's estimated outcomes and top Pennsylvania schools is substantial. Villanova and Lehigh accounting graduates earn roughly $20,000 more in their first year, a difference that compounds significantly over a career. However, comparable programs in Pennsylvania consistently produce earnings above the national median of $53,694, suggesting the state's accounting job market offers solid opportunities even for graduates from less competitive institutions. With more than half of Valley Forge students receiving Pell grants, accessibility may be part of the value proposition here.

The uncertainty matters: without actual graduate data, you can't know whether Valley Forge's accounting program outperforms or underperforms state averages. If your child can access one of Pennsylvania's stronger accounting programs, the earnings advantage appears worth pursuing. If Valley Forge offers meaningful cost savings or other advantages, the estimated debt load at least appears manageable on typical Pennsylvania accounting salariesβ€”just recognize you're making this decision with benchmarks rather than track record.

Where University of Valley Forge Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (76 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Valley ForgePhoenixville$24,510$57,966*β€”$27,000*β€”
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$77,966*$91,268$25,858*0.33
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$77,026*$95,363$23,179*0.30
Bucknell UniversityLewisburg$64,772$75,776*$93,021$26,881*0.35
University of ScrantonScranton$52,309$70,453*$85,314$27,000*0.38
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia$60,663$70,069*$76,765$28,832*0.41
National Medianβ€”$53,694*β€”$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 Valley Forge, approximately 51% 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 42 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.