Program Analysis
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Accounting and Related Services program produces graduates earning $54,694/yr — within striking distance of the $53,724 national average for this field.
With a 12.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 15% 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.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,500 in median debt clears quickly against $54,694 in annual earnings.
A #223 ranking among 714 Accounting and Related Services programs places Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 29% earnings increase from $54,694 to $70,417 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.