Accounting major, Iowa State/Northern Illinois/WMU/DePaul/UIC

College Search & Selection
1

Hey everybody,

I’m 23 years old, married, and spent a fair bit of time living abroad in Brazil with my wife before we decided to move back to the States. After spending a few years changing majors and whatnot, I’ve decided on Accounting for the job security, and employment opportunities, amongst other things. With all that said, I’ve been accepted (thus far) into Iowa State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. Still waiting to hear back from DePaul/UIC and contemplating submitting apps for U of Cincinnati, Michigan State, Illinois State and IU. I’m what’s best described as a student who was very average in high school, and only recently started taking my studies seriously (once my wife and I married). So at the moment I more than likely have a GPA around 2.5-2.7, and hopefully around a 3.0 once I finish my Associates from my local JC in August. By that time, I’ll also have around 100+ credits total, for whatever that’s worth.

So, can anybody tell me what kind of options these look like? At the moment it looks like NIU is our best bet for the education, but I’ve heard many good things about Iowa State as well. Western Michigan only offers their Accountancy degree in a BBA, which just seems to broad to me and not specialized and focused enough on accounting classes.

All that said, any help? NIU still my best best, regardless of UIC/NIU? And please, don’t want a ton of bickering in regards to best schools in Illinois! I’m a motivated student with a poor track record, so I need to work with what I get, which is not the top schools in the Midwest.

Any other suggestions in regards to schools?

Thanks! JTJ

2

I should also mention that the tuition between in-state NIU and out-of-state Iowa State won’t make a ton of difference for me, so there’s that.

3

Bump, any accounting people out there have any input on Iowa State?

4

You need to find out how long you will need to study at both of these places. Can you finish in two years at both ISU and NIU? Or will you need more than two years? That will affect how much money your studies will cost you, and how soon you can get into the workforce.

Also, you need to find out if your wife starts working full-time in Iowa once you get there, can you qualify for in-state tuition and fees at some point, or would you always be considered out-of-state because that is the status you will be in when you first enroll.

5

The tuition won’t be a huge issue for us, it’s mostly which school offers the better accounting education and chance for employment afterwards.

In regards to that, are there any smaller schools in the Midwest that offer good accounting programs? Besides the big, difficult to get in universities?

Thanks!