Accounting and Related Services at Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, MN · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 2,083 students in Rosemount, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,289/yr, roughly in line with the $35,807 national median for Accounting and Related Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 42.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

The 35% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 62% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Accounting and Related Services graduates.

With first-year pay of $37,289 far exceeding the $16,325 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #73 of 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, Dakota County Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $37,289 to $54,934 over five years — a 47% 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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
65
Score
69
High End
Earnings $37,289/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$599K
10.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
46.7x
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
$12,838
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,325
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,934
47% 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 Dakota County Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Dakota County Technical College?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Accounting and Related Services field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting and Related Services?
AI won't 'replace' Accounting and Related Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
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 →