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Business · Accounting Rank #272 of 714

Accountingat Syracuse University

Graduates earn $75,294/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $878K; scenarios range from $732K to $942K depending on AI disruption.

Syracuse, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
73 STRONG
75
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$75,294
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$878K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Syracuse University

Syracuse University's accounting program stands out because it effectively positions graduates for high-demand, high-value roles. This isn't just about general accounting; it reflects the program's strong ties to major national and regional firms, particularly the "Big Four" and top financial advisory services, which actively recruit on campus. The curriculum likely emphasizes analytical problem-solving, complex financial reporting, and compliance, preparing you for strategic advisory positions rather than routine tasks. Your success will often stem from leveraging a robust alumni network that extends into major financial hubs, opening doors to highly competitive positions in audit, tax, or corporate finance. While AI advancements pose risks to some accounting tasks, the program's focus on critical thinking and complex financial strategy ensures graduates are prepared for roles requiring human judgment and oversight. To capitalize on this, you'll want to aggressively pursue internships and network actively to secure those coveted early career placements.

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
$732K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$878K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$942K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Syracuse 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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse University

Other top programs at Syracuse University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Syracuse 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 Syracuse University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at Syracuse University?

This program scores 73/100 — 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 $731,843 in decade earnings vs $941,786 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.