Est. Earnings (1yr)
$50,218
Est. from MO median (18 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,418
Est. from MO median (9 programs)

Analysis

The estimated $25,418 in debt for William Jewell's accounting program sits right at the national median, while projected first-year earnings of roughly $50,200 fall below the national benchmark of $53,694. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 signals manageable repayment, but the gap between this program and Missouri's strongest accounting schools deserves attention. Peer programs at Mizzou and Saint Louis University report graduates earning $13,000-$15,000 more in their first yearβ€”a substantial difference when you're starting loan payments.

Missouri's accounting landscape varies considerably, and these estimates suggest William Jewell's program tracks closer to the state median than to top-tier outcomes. For a selective private college (34% admission rate), that positioning may raise questions about competitive advantage. The actual graduate outcomes could be stronger or weaker than these peer-based projections, but comparable programs across Missouri haven't demonstrated the kind of earning power that makes a bachelor's degree in accounting a standout investment at this price point.

With limited actual data available, parents should request placement rates and average starting salaries directly from William Jewell's career services. The estimated numbers suggest adequate but unexceptional returnsβ€”acceptable if your student is committed to accounting and values the small-college experience, but not compelling enough to ignore potentially stronger programs elsewhere in Missouri.

Where William Jewell College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (33 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
William Jewell CollegeLiberty$19,890$50,218*β€”$25,418*β€”
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia$14,130$65,057*$81,583$20,707*0.32
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis$53,244$63,153*β€”$26,820*0.42
Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis$27,166$61,237*$65,069$25,125*0.41
Truman State UniversityKirksville$9,470$59,919*$64,972$23,250*0.39
University of Central MissouriWarrensburg$9,739$56,565*$58,085$25,591*0.45
National Medianβ€”$53,694*β€”$25,000*0.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 William Jewell College, approximately 28% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 18 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.