Accounting and Related Services at Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
78 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
80
Optimistic
78
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,144/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (11.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #127 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Accounting and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $751K $714K $620K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.0x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.7x 11.1x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 78 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,052
Out-of-state: $64,380 (11.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,468
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,301
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Connecticut State University's Accounting and Related Services graduates start at $58,144/yr — above the $53,724 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,250 in median debt clears quickly against $58,144 in annual earnings.

At #127 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $58,144 to $78,301 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Western Connecticut State University

A 81% acceptance rate means Western Connecticut State University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,434 students in Danbury, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Connecticut State University →

Top Career Paths

Financial managers $161,700/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
Financial and investment analysts $101,350/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Connecticut State University

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For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Western Connecticut State University?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting and Related Services careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $619,708 in decade earnings vs $751,003 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Connecticut State University's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #127 of 714 programs nationally, Western Connecticut State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →