Accountingat Northern Arizona University
Graduates earn $51,506/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $755K; scenarios range from $648K to $798K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northern Arizona University
Graduates earn $51,506/yr, roughly in line with the $53,724 national median for Accounting. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.9x 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.
With first-year pay of $51,506 far exceeding the $19,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #144 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $80,353 show a 56% jump from the $51,506 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 Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northern Arizona University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at Northern Arizona University?
This program scores 77/100 — 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 $647,527 in decade earnings vs $798,334 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Northern Arizona University's Accounting program stand out?
Ranked #144 of 714 programs nationally, Northern Arizona University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.