Accounting Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Recording, classifying, and reporting financial transactions for organizations.
Starting Salary
$58K
median
Mid-Career
$90K
salary
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Accounting Overview
Recording, classifying, and reporting financial transactions for organizations.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
74%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$750K
Female Graduates
52%
Accounting Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$732,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($750,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Accounting Salary Progression
Common Accounting Careers
Accountant
Auditor
Tax Specialist
CPA
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Accounting
#1
University of Texas
#2
University of Illinois
#3
BYU
#4
Notre Dame
#5
Indiana University
Related Majors
Accounting Degree FAQ
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