Accounting graduates earn $76,194 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 18.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Financial Examiners is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Accounting is a focused area of study within Business. Graduates typically earn around $76,194 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 2,112 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 84,760 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$53,758
Median Earnings · 4yr
$76,194
Colleges Offering
2,112
Graduates / Year
84,760
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,011
How Much Do Accounting Graduates Earn?
Accounting graduates earn $76,194 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,205 and $97,191. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $53,758 climbs to $76,194 by year four.
$53,758
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$76,194
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$72,586
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Accounting graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.
$56,20525th pct.
$76,194Median
$97,19175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $76,194 against an estimated $76,044 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 1,202 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 84,760 students who complete Accounting programs each year, the majority (57%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
57%21%
Bachelor's57%
Master's21%
Associate's14%
What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?
Accounting connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Financial Manager leads at $166,570/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
Establish and maintain relationships with individual or business customers or provide assistance with problems these customers may encounter.
Oversee the flow of cash or financial instruments.
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of workers in branches, offices, or departments of establishments, such as branch banks, brokerage firms, risk and insurance departments, or credit departments.
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.
Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.
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.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
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.
Direct and participate in formal and informal meetings with bank directors, trustees, senior management, counsels, outside accountants, and consultants to gather information and discuss findings.
Recommend actions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, or to protect solvency of institutions.
Prepare reports, exhibits, and other supporting schedules that detail an institution's safety and soundness, compliance with laws and regulations, and recommended solutions to questionable financial conditions.
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
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.
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
Analyze credit data and financial statements to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
Complete loan applications, including credit analyses and summaries of loan requests, and submit to loan committees for approval.
Generate financial ratios, using computer programs, to evaluate customers' financial status.
Top Colleges for Accounting
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Accounting students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Accounting program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Accounting a solid option. The 4 strengths and 3 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $76,194 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $53,758 at graduation to $76,194 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +18.5% over the next decade, with Financial Examiners among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 249,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Highly competitive market84,760 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
Accounting Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Accounting graduates earn?
Accounting graduates earn a national median of $76,194 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,205 and $97,191. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Accounting degree?
One year after graduation, Accounting degree holders earn a median of $53,758. That climbs to $76,194 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Accounting degree?
Accounting degree holders pursue careers including Financial Manager, which pays a median of $166,570/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Accounting program take?
A Accounting bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Accounting?
2,112 colleges and universities in the United States offer Accounting programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Accounting degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $76,194 and an average net price of roughly $19,011/yr, a Accounting degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Accounting and Business?
Accounting is a focused concentration within the broader Business field. The Business major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Accounting-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Accounting graduates?
Employers hiring Accounting graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart.
Is graduate school worth it for Accounting graduates?
An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Accounting graduates?
The job outlook for Accounting graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +6.6% job growth over the next 10 years. Financial Examiners is among the strongest-growth roles at +18.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Business Programs
Other programs in Business. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
The top colleges for Accounting in the biggest states, ranked by the UCD Score.
Best Accounting Colleges in California
The top Accounting colleges in California, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
90 UCD Score
138 Colleges
$32 Lowest Net
$138,687 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in Texas
The top Accounting colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
87 UCD Score
92 Colleges
$1,300 Lowest Net
$75,121 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in New York
The top Accounting colleges in New York, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
93 UCD Score
111 Colleges
$2,984 Lowest Net
$89,696 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in Florida
The top Accounting colleges in Florida, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
93 UCD Score
68 Colleges
$804 Lowest Net
$71,588 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in Pennsylvania
The top Accounting colleges in Pennsylvania, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
84 UCD Score
100 Colleges
$6,233 Lowest Net
$111,371 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in Ohio
The top Accounting colleges in Ohio, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
83 UCD Score
79 Colleges
$3,967 Lowest Net
$87,989 Top Earn
Best Accounting Colleges in Illinois
The top Accounting colleges in Illinois, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
89 UCD Score
78 Colleges
$2,232 Lowest Net
$81,054 Top Earn
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