Mercy College’s Master of Science in Public Accounting Program Ranks #2 in the U.S. for Economic Value

In a recent report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) that examined the impact of higher education on earnings, the Master of Science in Public Accounting Program at Mercy College ranked #2 in the U.S., based on graduates’ annual earnings (net of student debt payments) two years after graduation.

“The CEW ranking recognizes the economic value of Mercy’s Master of Science in Public Accounting program,” said Denise Stefano, associate professor and chair of the Department of Accounting. “Immediately after graduating, our students are securing top jobs and earning respectable salaries, which allows them to pay back student loan debt in a relatively short period of time.”

The report, titled, “The Most Popular Degree Pays Off: Ranking the Economic Value of 5,500 Business Programs at More Than 1,700 Colleges,” calculates the economic value of college business programs as revealed in graduates’ median annual earnings. Two years after leaving Mercy College, Master of Science in Public Accounting program graduates have the second-highest earnings net of debt payments — a median of $72,000 — slightly below #1-rated New York University. The report factors in debt payments because a significant debt load can offset high earnings.

“We’re proud of the national recognition,” said Stefano. “We are grateful to the employers who recognize the quality of our program and seek out Mercy public accounting graduates. Our program is being seen as a place where accounting firms and businesses proactively seek out new accounting profession recruits, providing our students tremendous opportunities and earnings potential.”