Accountingat University at Albany
Graduates earn $55,124/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $867K; scenarios range from $725K to $930K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University at Albany
At $55,124/yr, Accounting graduates from University at Albany land near the $53,724 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.8x 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 22% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $22,186 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #48 of 714 programs, University at Albany's Accounting program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Five-year earnings of $93,077 show a 69% jump from the $55,124 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 University at Albany'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 University at Albany stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University at Albany
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University at Albany, 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 University at Albany
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at University at Albany?
This program scores 82/100 — 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 $724,676 in decade earnings vs $929,595 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.