Accounting and Related Services at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
84
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $57,157/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 27.0x earnings multiple (11.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 1%

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 $962K $895K $744K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 29.0x 27.0x 22.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.9x 11.1x 9.2x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 84 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (11.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,218
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,719
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $57,157 per year, Accounting and Related Services graduates from San Diego State University earn slightly above the $53,724 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 27.0x 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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $15,218 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #10 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs nationally, San Diego State University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $96,719 show a 69% jump from the $57,157 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About San Diego State University

A 34% acceptance rate puts San Diego State University in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 33,654 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at San Diego State University?
This program scores 84/100 — 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 $743,785 in decade earnings vs $962,103 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes San Diego State University's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 714 programs nationally, San Diego State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →