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Accounting and Related Services at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $60,048/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

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

ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #73 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 10%

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	$730K	$696K	$608K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.7x	18.7x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.6x	6.3x	5.5x
Probability of Field Employment	76%	65%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	83	81	78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (6.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,567

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$76,780

28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $60,048 per year, Accounting and Related Services graduates from Western Washington University earn slightly above the $53,724 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% 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.

The median debt load of $20,567 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #73 of 714 programs, this Accounting and Related Services program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 28% earnings increase from $60,048 to $76,780 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Western Washington University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Western Washington University prioritizes broad access, serving 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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 Western Washington 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 does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Accounting and Related Services at Western Washington University?

At 81/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting and Related Services at Western Washington University?

The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →