Home Schools Wilkes University Accounting
Business · Accounting Rank #430 of 714

Accountingat Wilkes University

Graduates earn $53,818/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $799K; scenarios range from $678K to $850K depending on AI disruption.

Wilkes-Barre, PA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
70
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,818
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$799K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wilkes University

At $53,818/yr, Accounting graduates from Wilkes University land near the $53,724 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 4.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $25,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #430 out of 714 programs, Wilkes University's financial outcomes for Accounting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $53,818 to $85,792 over five years (59% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

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
$678K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple4.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$799K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple4.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$850K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple5.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Wilkes University'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 Wilkes University 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
Same state (PA)
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 Wilkes University

Other top programs at Wilkes University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wilkes 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Accounting at Wilkes University

How does Wilkes University's Accounting program score?

A score of 68/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Wilkes University trails the majority of Accounting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Accounting to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Accounting careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.