Accounting and Related Services at American Public University System

Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 38,976 in Charles Town, WV.

Program Analysis

American Public University System's Accounting and Related Services graduates start at $42,509/yr — above the $35,807 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 30.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,086 in median debt clears fast against $42,509 in annual earnings.

At #85 of 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, American Public University System scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $42,509 to $51,544 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Accounting and Related Services offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
64
Score
67
High End
Earnings $42,509/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$533K
4.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
31.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$16,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,086
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,544
21% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting and Related Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

About Accounting and Related Services Careers

Your career will likely start in a role like a bookkeeping or accounting clerk, where your day-to-day involves using software like QuickBooks to reconcile bank statements, manage invoices, and process payroll for a small business or as part of a larger corporate team. You’ll be the person ensuring the financial data is accurate and organized.

Read the full Accounting and Related Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting and Related Services Overview

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at American Public University System

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Accounting and Related Services at American Public University System?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Accounting and Related Services graduates.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
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.
Can I learn Accounting and Related Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Accounting and Related Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Accounting and Related Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Accounting and Related Services have roughly 451,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →