Accountingat Cleveland State University
Graduates earn $54,088/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $696K; scenarios range from $607K to $730K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University's Accounting program produces graduates earning $54,088/yr — within striking distance of the $53,724 national average for this field.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Accounting's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,661 in median debt clears quickly against $54,088 in annual earnings.
At #180 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $54,088 to $75,073 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cleveland State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Accounting
How Cleveland State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cleveland State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cleveland State University, 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 →Frequently asked about Accounting at Cleveland State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at Cleveland State University?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $607,429 in decade earnings vs $730,112 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Cleveland State University's Accounting program stand out?
Ranked #180 of 714 programs nationally, Cleveland State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.