Accounting Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Accounting degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Accounting in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Accounting programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Accounting enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Reporting and Tax Preparation. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $66,960.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Accounting Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Accounting salary: $62,000 starting, $90,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Accounting ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Accounting degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,160
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$722,112
Lifetime earnings premium ($810,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Accounting in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Accounting
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Accounting in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Accounting graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Accounting Job Titles
Accounting in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$68K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$58K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$63K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$56K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$49K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$57K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$64K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$56K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Business Majors in Joliet
Business Analytics
$84K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$70K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$54K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$54K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$63K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Accounting Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.