Accountingat Western Washington University
Graduates earn $60,048/yr in their first year — about 12.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $696K; scenarios range from $608K to $730K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Washington University
At $60,048 per year, Accounting graduates from Western Washington University earn slightly above the $53,724 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $20,567 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #73 of 714 programs, this Accounting program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
A 28% earnings increase from $60,048 to $76,780 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Western Washington University'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 Western Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Washington 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 →Frequently asked about Accounting at Western Washington University
What does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Accounting at Western Washington University?
At 81/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting at Western Washington University?
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.