Accounting Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Accounting degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Accounting in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering Accounting programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. Accounting enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Reporting and Tax Preparation. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $52,700.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
Accounting Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Accounting salary: $62,000 starting, $90,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Accounting ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a Accounting degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,950
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$534,288
Lifetime earnings premium ($637,500) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for Accounting in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for Accounting
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for Accounting in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Accounting graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Accounting Job Titles
Accounting in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$54K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$55K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$55K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$58K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$53K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$56K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$60K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$58K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Business Majors in Ann Arbor
Business Analytics
$66K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$55K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$43K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$43K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$49K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Accounting Degree in Ann Arbor — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Accounting ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Ann Arbor.