Accounting Degree in Arvada, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Accounting degree analysis for Arvada, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$95K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.7 yrs
in Arvada
Cost of Living
105.5
index (100 = avg)
Accounting in Arvada, CO Overview
While Arvada has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Accounting students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,944/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Accounting enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Reporting and Tax Preparation. The adjusted starting salary in Arvada is approximately $65,410.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Accounting Salary in Arvada (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Arvada's cost of living index of 105.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Accounting salary: $62,000 starting, $90,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Arvada adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Accounting ROI Calculator for Arvada
Estimate your return on investment for a Accounting degree using local Arvada tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Arvada avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,576
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$28,485
vs HS diploma in Arvada
ROI Payback Period
3.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Arvada
$686,674
Lifetime earnings premium ($791,250) minus total education cost ($104,576)
Student Loan Payoff for Accounting in Arvada
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Arvada for Accounting
Arvada State University
public
$11,667/yr
$46,668 total
University of Arvada
public
$11,617/yr
$46,468 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Arvada Community College
$5,532/yr
Top Employers for Accounting in Arvada
Arvada offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Accounting graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Arvada Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Accounting Job Titles
Accounting in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$79K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$76K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$69K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$78K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$66K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$64K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Westminster, CO
$64K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$76K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Business Majors in Arvada
Business Analytics
$82K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$69K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$53K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$53K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$61K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Accounting Degree in Arvada — 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 Arvada.