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Business · Accounting Rank #252 of 714

Accountingat American Public University System

Graduates earn $50,688/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $575K; scenarios range from $524K to $588K depending on AI disruption.

Charles Town, WV Private for-profit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
74 STRONG
75
Optimistic
71
Pessimistic
Earnings
$50,688
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$575K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at American Public University System

Graduates earn $50,688/yr, roughly in line with the $53,724 national median for Accounting. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 17.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $36,282 against $50,688/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #252 ranking among 714 Accounting programs places American Public University System in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $50,688 to $60,064 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple15.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$575K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple17.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple17.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American Public University System's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Accounting graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
2
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
3
Financial and investment analysts
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 25,100 openings/yr
$101,350/yr
Moderate
4
Business teachers, postsecondary
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 8,100 openings/yr
$97,270/yr
Moderate
5
Financial examiners
+18.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$90,400/yr
High
6
Budget analysts
+1.0% 10-yr growth · 3,100 openings/yr
$87,930/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Accounting

How American Public University System stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$90K
1-yr earn
5.3x
ROI
Washington and Lee University
VA · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Villanova University
PA · Private nonprofit
75
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
Lehigh University
PA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
3.8x
ROI
Also at American Public University System

Other top programs at American Public University System

Other highest-scoring programs offered at American Public University System, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Accounting offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Accounting trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Accounting at American Public University System

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Accounting at American Public University System?

At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting at American Public University System?

The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.