Accountingat Gardner-Webb University
Graduates earn $44,261/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $578K; scenarios range from $526K to $592K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University's Accounting graduates start at $44,261/yr, trailing the $53,724 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
The 4.3x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.
AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $24,511 debt-to-$44,261 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #659 out of 714 programs, Gardner-Webb University's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,261 to $58,875 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary 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 Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Gardner-Webb University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Gardner-Webb 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 Gardner-Webb University
How does Gardner-Webb University's Accounting program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Gardner-Webb University trails the majority of Accounting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Accounting to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Accounting careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Accounting earnings lower at Gardner-Webb University?
Lower starting pay at Gardner-Webb University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.