Accounting and Related Services: earnings, debt, and careers
CIP 52.03. Official graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education across 3,996 programs, and the careers this field is linked to.
Graduate earnings by credential level
| Credential | Programs | Graduates (recent year) | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Typical program median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 947 | 16,424 | $40,897 | $44,589 | $15,054 64 programs |
| Associate's degree | 926 | 10,324 | $41,647 | $47,660 | $18,955 103 programs |
| Bachelor's degree | 1,224 | 40,816 | $60,798 | $76,194 | $23,220 625 programs |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 33 | 0 | $76,195 | $86,165 | Data unavailable |
| Master's degree | 631 | 13,485 | $74,869 | $95,833 | Data unavailable |
| Doctoral degree | 29 | 43 | $155,610 | $158,084 | Data unavailable |
| Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) | 2 | 0 | $76,805 | $121,885 | Data unavailable |
| Graduate certificate | 204 | 725 | $70,677 | $82,363 | Data unavailable |
National earnings are published by the Department of Education for each field and credential level Verified data. Typical program median debt is ConnectPrep's calculation: the median across programs of each program's median federal debt Calculated estimate. It covers federal loans only.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Undergraduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College District TX · Public · 50 graduates measured | $68,635 | $90,270 | $19,119 |
| Columbus State Community College OH · Public · 32 graduates measured | $60,494 | $66,617 | $24,199 |
| Cabrillo College CA · Public · 18 graduates measured | $58,027 | $48,706 | $6,567 |
| Tidewater Community College VA · Public · 23 graduates measured | $56,080 | $60,390 | Data unavailable |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College WI · Public · 17 graduates measured | $54,397 | $48,624 | $19,000 |
| Dallas College TX · Public · 65 graduates measured | $52,507 | $52,856 | $14,786 |
| Mitchell Community College NC · Public · 17 graduates measured | $47,905 | $38,903 | Data unavailable |
| College of DuPage IL · Public · 21 graduates measured | $47,871 | $43,199 | $18,333 |
| Miami Dade College FL · Public · 27 graduates measured | $47,436 | Data unavailable | $10,375 |
| Arapahoe Community College CO · Public · 17 graduates measured | $44,358 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Northwood Technical College WI · Public · 36 graduates measured | $44,195 | $45,947 | $13,564 |
| Lakeshore Technical College WI · Public · 21 graduates measured | $43,922 | $39,902 | Data unavailable |
| Aims Community College CO · Public · 16 graduates measured | $43,633 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College MN · Public · 22 graduates measured | $43,598 | $43,282 | $24,000 |
| Germanna Community College VA · Public · 16 graduates measured | $43,489 | $50,417 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Associate's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Baltimore County MD · Public · 17 graduates measured | $63,013 | $52,449 | Data unavailable |
| Austin Community College District TX · Public · 26 graduates measured | $60,248 | $65,993 | $13,000 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College OH · Public · 21 graduates measured | $52,433 | $54,262 | $23,480 |
| Century College MN · Public · 31 graduates measured | $52,254 | $57,635 | Data unavailable |
| College of Southern Nevada NV · Public · 33 graduates measured | $52,055 | $45,585 | $12,532 |
| North Shore Community College MA · Public · 16 graduates measured | $51,787 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Tidewater Community College VA · Public · 19 graduates measured | $51,071 | $45,829 | $23,811 |
| Front Range Community College CO · Public · 22 graduates measured | $50,965 | $55,308 | Data unavailable |
| Hennepin Technical College MN · Public · 17 graduates measured | $50,937 | $59,204 | Data unavailable |
| Dallas College TX · Public · 34 graduates measured | $50,835 | $48,906 | $9,750 |
| Greenville Technical College SC · Public · 22 graduates measured | $50,791 | $39,465 | Data unavailable |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion IN · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $50,272 | $62,891 | $27,888 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global IN · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $50,272 | $62,891 | $27,888 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College · Public · 151 graduates measured | $49,826 | Data unavailable | $13,000 |
| Saint Paul College MN · Public · 23 graduates measured | $49,349 | $50,492 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Bachelor's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University CA · Private, nonprofit · 80 graduates measured | $88,383 | $130,087 | $17,000 |
| Bucknell University PA · Private, nonprofit · 39 graduates measured | $87,150 | $130,990 | $26,100 |
| Boston College MA · Private, nonprofit · 94 graduates measured | $85,089 | $126,461 | $19,000 |
| Lehigh University PA · Private, nonprofit · 44 graduates measured | $83,966 | $125,874 | $19,000 |
| Menlo College CA · Private, nonprofit · 22 graduates measured | $83,837 | $93,619 | Data unavailable |
| Villanova University PA · Private, nonprofit · 89 graduates measured | $83,193 | $120,207 | $24,187 |
| University of San Francisco CA · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $82,784 | $95,973 | $18,371 |
| Pepperdine University CA · Private, nonprofit · 21 graduates measured | $82,200 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| College of the Holy Cross MA · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $82,078 | $114,088 | $25,000 |
| Binghamton University NY · Public · 59 graduates measured | $81,789 | $106,323 | $15,000 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University CA · Private, nonprofit · 19 graduates measured | $81,589 | Data unavailable | $24,998 |
| University of Southern California CA · Private, nonprofit · 139 graduates measured | $81,514 | $121,101 | Data unavailable |
| University of Redlands CA · Private, nonprofit · 17 graduates measured | $81,234 | $79,833 | Data unavailable |
| University of Notre Dame IN · Private, nonprofit · 48 graduates measured | $81,226 | $115,909 | $17,500 |
| Syracuse University NY · Private, nonprofit · 95 graduates measured | $81,076 | $112,682 | $25,500 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University CA · Private, nonprofit · 48 graduates measured | $95,065 | $115,965 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Master's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate University CA · Private, nonprofit · 35 graduates measured | $93,591 | $120,311 | Data unavailable |
| Villanova University PA · Private, nonprofit · 82 graduates measured | $91,218 | $104,120 | Data unavailable |
| University of Hartford CT · Private, nonprofit · 50 graduates measured | $90,396 | $109,816 | Data unavailable |
| George Mason University VA · Public · 79 graduates measured | $89,990 | $110,482 | Data unavailable |
| University of Connecticut CT · Public · 101 graduates measured | $89,616 | $113,488 | Data unavailable |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT · Public · 101 graduates measured | $89,616 | $113,488 | Data unavailable |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT · Public · 101 graduates measured | $89,616 | $113,488 | Data unavailable |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford CT · Public · 101 graduates measured | $89,616 | $113,488 | Data unavailable |
| University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus CT · Public · 101 graduates measured | $89,616 | $113,488 | Data unavailable |
| Suffolk University MA · Private, nonprofit · 63 graduates measured | $89,299 | $107,236 | Data unavailable |
| University of Maryland Global Campus MD · Public · 135 graduates measured | $88,867 | $106,763 | Data unavailable |
| Rutgers University-Camden NJ · Public · 199 graduates measured | $88,603 | $106,813 | Data unavailable |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public · 199 graduates measured | $88,603 | $106,813 | Data unavailable |
| Rutgers University-Newark NJ · Public · 199 graduates measured | $88,603 | $106,813 | Data unavailable |
| Sacred Heart University CT · Private, nonprofit · 61 graduates measured | $88,374 | $117,457 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Doctoral degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University MN · Private, for-profit · 17 graduates measured | $102,632 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame IN · Private, nonprofit · 26 graduates measured | $76,360 | $122,025 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Graduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University VA · Public · 56 graduates measured | $91,655 | $109,911 | Data unavailable |
| University of Missouri-Columbia MO · Public · 100 graduates measured | $70,964 | $100,725 | Data unavailable |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato MN · Public · 33 graduates measured | $65,315 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Southern New Hampshire University NH · Private, nonprofit · 68 graduates measured | $64,937 | $60,976 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry College of New York NY · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Arizona AZ · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-California CA · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Florida FL · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Georgia GA · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Illinois IL · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Nevada NV · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-North Carolina · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Ohio OH · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Texas TX · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
| DeVry University-Virginia VA · Private, for-profit · 67 graduates measured | $62,539 | $84,386 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Careers linked to Accounting and Related Services
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial managers | $166,570 | +9.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Accountants and auditors | $83,680 | +5.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Budget analysts | $91,640 | +1.9% | Bachelor's degree |
| Credit analysts | $83,510 | -4.3% | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial and investment analysts | $102,740 | +7.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial risk specialists | $117,330 | +7.4% | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial examiners | $94,160 | +9.3% | Bachelor's degree |
| Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents | $62,370 | -1.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Tax preparers | $54,920 | +4.7% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Business teachers, postsecondary | $99,080 | +5.9% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | $50,670 | -5.6% | Some college, no degree |
| Payroll and timekeeping clerks | $58,260 | -15.9% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Brokerage clerks | $65,750 | -7.6% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Statistical assistants | $50,330 | -1.8% | Bachelor's degree |
Occupations mapped to this field in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. Occupation wages describe all workers, not recent graduates.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Detailed CIP codes in this field (6)
- 52.0301 Accounting
- 52.0302 Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
- 52.0303 Auditing
- 52.0304 Accounting and Finance
- 52.0305 Accounting and Business/Management
- 52.0399 Accounting and Related Services, Other