Accountingat University of Northern Iowa
Graduates earn $61,088/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $735K; scenarios range from $634K to $775K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Northern Iowa
Graduates earn $61,088/yr, edging above the $53,724 national average for Accounting — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.9x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.
At $18,750 in median debt against $61,088 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #39 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $61,088 to $81,462 over five years — a 33% 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 University of Northern Iowa'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 of Northern Iowa stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Northern Iowa
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Northern Iowa, 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 of Northern Iowa
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at University of Northern Iowa?
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 $633,708 in decade earnings vs $774,824 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Northern Iowa's Accounting program stand out?
Ranked #39 of 714 programs nationally, University of Northern Iowa lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.