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Accounting and Related Services at Washington and Lee University

Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $81,625/yr (52% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

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

ROI 3.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #251 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 50%

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	$974K	$906K	$751K
Earnings Multiple	3.8x	3.5x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	76%	65%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	76	74	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$258,100

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$95,644

63% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,750

2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$106,739

31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Washington and Lee University's Accounting and Related Services program earn $81,625/yr in their first year — 52% above the $53,724 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 3.5x 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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

At $16,750 in median debt against $81,625 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #251 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs, Washington and Lee University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $81,625 to $106,739 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University admits 17% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, a compact campus enrolling 1,884 students in Lexington, VA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $95,644 — 63% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington and Lee 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 Washington and Lee 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 Washington and Lee University?

This program scores 74/100 — 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 $751,047 in decade earnings vs $974,461 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Washington and Lee University a hidden gem for Accounting and Related Services?

After financial aid, the average student pays $95,644 over four years — 63% below the $258,100 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 →