Accountingat Northern Illinois University
Graduates earn $63,743/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $746K; scenarios range from $642K to $788K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northern Illinois University
At $63,743 per year, Accounting graduates from Northern Illinois University earn slightly above the $53,724 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.7x 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 $15,342 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #64 of 714 programs, Northern Illinois University's Accounting program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $63,743 to $83,523 over five years — a 31% 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 Northern 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 Northern Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northern Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northern 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 Northern Illinois University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at Northern Illinois University?
This program scores 81/100 — 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 $641,633 in decade earnings vs $788,305 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.