Accounting and Related Services at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $52,425/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 15.0x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #168 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Accounting and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $679K $652K $577K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.6x 15.0x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.9x 7.6x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,465
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,638
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,425/yr, roughly in line with the $53,724 national median for Accounting and Related Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $52,425 far exceeding the $19,465 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #168 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $52,425 to $69,638 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,065 students in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky University →

Top Career Paths

Financial managers $161,700/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
Financial and investment analysts $101,350/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Northern Kentucky University?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting and Related Services careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $577,237 in decade earnings vs $678,742 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Northern Kentucky University's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #168 of 714 programs nationally, Northern Kentucky University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →