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Business · Accounting Rank #106 of 714

Accountingat Saint Cloud State University

Graduates earn $58,497/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $668K; scenarios range from $588K to $697K depending on AI disruption.

Saint Cloud, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
79 STRONG
81
Optimistic
76
Pessimistic
Earnings
$58,497
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$668K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud State University's Accounting graduates start at $58,497/yr — above the $53,724 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 16.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,051 in median debt clears quickly against $58,497 in annual earnings.

Saint Cloud State University ranks #106 among 714 Accounting programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 25% earnings increase from $58,497 to $73,029 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$668K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple16.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score81/100
Earnings Multiple17.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Saint Cloud State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Accounting graduates typically work

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.

1
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
2
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
3
Financial and investment analysts
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 25,100 openings/yr
$101,350/yr
Moderate
4
Business teachers, postsecondary
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 8,100 openings/yr
$97,270/yr
Moderate
5
Financial examiners
+18.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$90,400/yr
High
6
Budget analysts
+1.0% 10-yr growth · 3,100 openings/yr
$87,930/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Accounting

How Saint Cloud State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$90K
1-yr earn
5.3x
ROI
Washington and Lee University
VA · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$82K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
77
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Villanova University
PA · Private nonprofit
75
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
Lehigh University
PA · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
3.8x
ROI
Also at Saint Cloud State University

Other top programs at Saint Cloud State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Saint Cloud State 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Accounting at Saint Cloud State University

What does a 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Accounting at Saint Cloud State University?

At 79/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting at Saint Cloud State University?

The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Saint Cloud State University one of the best schools for Accounting?

Among 714 Accounting programs, Saint Cloud State University's #106 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.