Program Analysis
Graduates earn $58,717/yr, edging above the $53,724 national average for Accounting and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
At 4.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.
The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting and Related Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $21,166 in median debt against $58,717 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #454 ranking among 714 Accounting and Related Services programs places North Central College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 35% earnings increase from $58,717 to $79,216 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.