Accounting and Related Services at Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
69
Optimistic
67
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,149/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #453 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs

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 $760K $722K $625K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 67 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$199,336
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,748
75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$80,334
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $62,149 per year, Accounting and Related Services graduates from Augustana College earn slightly above the $53,724 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #453 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs, Augustana College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $62,149 to $80,334 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Augustana College

Augustana College accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,418 students in Rock Island, IL. The average net cost of $49,748 over four years represents a 75% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Augustana College →

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 Augustana College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Augustana College?
This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Accounting and Related Services programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $625,226 in decade earnings vs $760,392 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Augustana College a hidden gem for Accounting and Related Services?
After financial aid, the average student pays $49,748 over four years — 75% below the $199,336 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →