Median Earnings (1yr)
$47,204
23rd percentile (40th in CO)
Est. Median Debt
$26,320
Est. from CO median (3 programs)
Sample Size
20
Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How Western Colorado University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Western Colorado University graduates earn $47k, placing them in the 23th percentile of all accounting bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (10 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Western Colorado University$47,204$44,548$26,320*
University of Denver$67,392$80,927$21,288*0.32
Colorado State University Global$61,648$65,218$34,167*0.55
Regis University$58,811$65,506$33,668*0.57
Colorado State University Pueblo$54,213$51,976*
Metropolitan State University of Denver$54,030$64,453$26,320*0.49
National Median$53,694$25,000*0.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Other Accounting Programs in Colorado

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Colorado schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of Denver
Denver
$59,340$67,392$21,288
Colorado State University Global
Denver
$8,400$61,648$34,167
Regis University
Denver
$43,980$58,811$33,668
Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo
$9,401$54,213
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver
$10,780$54,030$26,320

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 Western Colorado University, approximately 13% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.