Accounting at West Texas A & M University

West Texas A&M's accounting program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—but delivers something increasingly rare: genuinely manageable debt. At under $20,000, graduates carry roughly $2,600 less debt than the Texas median and $5,000 less than the national average. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43, most graduates should clear this balance within a few years of starting work. The earnings trajectory is solid too, with 18% growth from year one to year four, suggesting graduates build skills that employers value.

The tradeoff here is straightforward. Your child won't earn what peers at UT Austin or Texas A&M make—those programs command $14,000-$21,000 more straight out of school. But they also won't face the same debt burden or admission hurdles (West Texas admits 97% of applicants versus under 70% at flagship schools). Starting at $46,000 isn't glamorous, but it's real money in the Panhandle region where living costs run well below Dallas or Houston rates.

For families prioritizing financial security over prestige, this works. The combination of low debt and steady earnings growth means your child can actually build savings early rather than treading water on loan payments. If they're admitted to a top-tier program with comparable aid, take that instead. But if the alternative involves significantly more debt or uncertain admission prospects, West Texas A&M offers a practical path into accounting that won't leave them financially hamstrung at 25.