Accountingat Eastern Illinois University
Graduates earn $48,070/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $756K; scenarios range from $649K to $800K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Eastern Illinois University
At $48,070/yr, Accounting graduates from Eastern Illinois University land near the $53,724 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.1x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $22,229 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #222 of 714 Accounting programs, Eastern Illinois University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $79,045 show a 64% jump from the $48,070 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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 Eastern Illinois 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 Eastern Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Eastern Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Eastern Illinois 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 Eastern Illinois University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at Eastern Illinois University?
This program scores 74/100 — 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 $648,594 in decade earnings vs $800,148 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.