Accounting at Wartburg College

Wartburg College's accounting program produces graduates who earn $61,529 in their first year—landing in the 78th percentile nationally and above Iowa's median of $59,252. While not quite matching Drake or Iowa's flagship programs, Wartburg holds its own at 60th percentile statewide, placing just behind established competitors like Loras and Northern Iowa. For a school with a 99% admission rate, these earnings represent solid performance.

The debt picture enhances the value proposition: graduates leave with $26,840 in median debt, yielding a 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio that's considerably better than the national median. Students can expect to earn more than twice their debt in their first year, and earnings climb another 12% by year four to nearly $69,000. That trajectory matters for accountants building toward CPA certification and more senior roles.

The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional or struggling cohort can swing these numbers significantly. But the fundamentals check out: manageable debt paired with above-average starting salaries in a profession with clear advancement paths. For Iowa families seeking an accounting degree without gambling on admission to more selective programs, Wartburg delivers measurable results at a reasonable cost.