Accounting at Washington & Jefferson College

Washington & Jefferson's accounting graduates start at $59,401—about $5,700 above the national median and $1,400 above Pennsylvania's typical accounting program. While this isn't elite territory (Villanova and Lehigh grads earn roughly $18,000 more), it represents solid performance for a small liberal arts college with an 82% admission rate. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania accounting programs, meaning graduates typically outearn those from three-fifths of competing state schools.

The financial picture looks manageable. At $27,000 in median debt (matching Pennsylvania's typical level), graduates face payments equal to just 45% of their first-year salary—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. Earnings growth to $65,352 by year four suggests steady career progression, though the 10% increase is modest compared to some business fields. The moderate sample size means this data reflects real outcomes from a reasonable number of graduates, not just a handful of success stories.

For families prioritizing affordability and steady employment over maximum earning potential, this program delivers. Your child won't command Wall Street salaries, but they'll start with earnings that comfortably support their debt load and position them competitively among Pennsylvania accounting graduates. The real question is whether paying private college tuition makes sense when Penn State or other state schools might offer similar outcomes at lower cost.