Home Schools University of South Alabama Accounting
Business · Accounting Rank #409 of 714

Accountingat University of South Alabama

Graduates earn $48,795/yr in their first year — about 9.0% below the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $535K; scenarios range from $497K to $543K depending on AI disruption.

Mobile, AL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
70
Optimistic
66
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,795
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$535K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of South Alabama

First-year earnings of $48,795 track close to the $53,724 national median for Accounting programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $26,036 against $48,795/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #409 ranking among 714 Accounting programs places University of South Alabama in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $48,795 to $54,805 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple12.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$535K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple13.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$543K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Alabama'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 University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama

Other top programs at University of South Alabama

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Alabama, 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 University of South Alabama

What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Accounting at University of South Alabama?

At 68/100, the score looks reasonable — but Accounting is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting at University of South Alabama?

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.