Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $51,006 track close to the $53,724 national median for Accounting and Related Services programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 14.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting and Related Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $20,856 in median debt against $51,006 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #382 ranking among 714 Accounting and Related Services programs places Dickinson State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $51,006 to $53,656 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.