Accounting at Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University's accounting graduates start slightly above the national median at $54,152, but there's a troubling dynamic beneath these numbers. While the program ranks exactly at the national midpoint, it sits in just the 40th percentile among Iowa accounting programs—meaning six out of ten Iowa accounting schools produce better outcomes. The state's median of $59,252 suggests Iowa employers generally pay accounting graduates well, yet Upper Iowa students earn roughly $7,000 less than their in-state peers. Compare this to nearby competitors: Drake and University of Iowa graduates earn over $65,000, and even similar-sized schools like Wartburg and Loras deliver $60,000+ starting salaries.

The debt picture compounds this concern. At $37,608, graduates carry 40% more debt than the typical Iowa accounting graduate and 50% more than the national median. Combined with earnings that actually decline to $52,881 by year four, the financial trajectory here is backwards. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 is manageable but less comfortable when your income is dropping rather than rising in your early career.

For Iowa families, this program represents a notably weaker investment than other in-state options. Unless location in Fayette is essential or significant merit aid closes the debt gap, the state's flagship or regional universities offer accounting degrees that deliver $5,000-$13,000 higher starting salaries with less debt—a combination that compounds substantially over a career.