Accounting and Related Services at McDaniel College

Westminster, MD · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,941/yr (23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #373 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 $774K $734K $633K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.7x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$198,588
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,692
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,335
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,620
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,941 at McDaniel College come in 23% above the national median of $53,724 for Accounting and Related Services programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.7x 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.

With first-year pay of $65,941 far exceeding the $23,335 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #373 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs, McDaniel College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $65,941 to $82,620 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About McDaniel College

McDaniel College accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,652 students in Westminster, MD. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $83,692 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at McDaniel 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 McDaniel 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 McDaniel College?
This program scores 69/100 — 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 $632,987 in decade earnings vs $773,597 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is McDaniel College a hidden gem for Accounting and Related Services?
After financial aid, the average student pays $83,692 over four years — 58% below the $198,588 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 →