Accounting and Related Services at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
81
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $55,671/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 23.9x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #70 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 10%

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 $757K $720K $624K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.1x 23.9x 20.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.3x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 81 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,948
-119% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,590
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,158
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Appalachian State University's Accounting and Related Services program produces graduates earning $55,671/yr — within striking distance of the $53,724 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.9x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,590 in median debt clears quickly against $55,671 in annual earnings.

Ranked #70 of 714 programs, Appalachian State University's Accounting and Related Services program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $55,671 to $78,158 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Appalachian State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Appalachian State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 19,304 students in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Appalachian State University?
This program scores 81/100 — 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 $623,507 in decade earnings vs $757,467 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →