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Accounting and Related Services at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $61,088/yr (14% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

ROI 18.9x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #39 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 5%

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	$775K	$735K	$634K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.9x	18.9x	16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.1x	8.6x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	76%	65%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	84	82	79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,912

Out-of-state: $85,088 (8.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,436

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,750

3.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$81,462

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $61,088/yr, edging above the $53,724 national average for Accounting and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.9x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,750 in median debt against $61,088 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #39 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $61,088 to $81,462 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at University of Northern Iowa?

This program scores 82/100 — 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 $633,708 in decade earnings vs $774,824 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Northern Iowa's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?

Ranked #39 of 714 programs nationally, University of Northern Iowa lands in the top 5%. 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 →