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Accounting at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Accounting and Related Services

a smaller institution with 2,875 students in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,742/yr, edging above the $35,807 national average for Accounting — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 35.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $18,336 in median debt against $39,742 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #79 ranking among 176 Accounting programs places Minnesota State Community and Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $39,742 to $40,825 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Accounting reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
64
Score
67
High End
Earnings $39,742/yr (11% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$416K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
35.2x
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
$11,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,336
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,825
3% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting 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 →

Accounting Career Guide

What can you do with a Accounting credential from Minnesota State Community and Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

View all 176 schools offering Accounting →

Accounting at Other Schools

Austin Community College District ($62,261) Austin Community College District ($58,469) Cabrillo College ($57,294) College of DuPage ($52,724) Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion ($52,576) Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global ($52,576) North Hennepin Community College ($49,685) Montgomery County Community College ($48,832)

Other Majors at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Nursing ($58,823) Allied Health Professions ($55,649) Vehicle Repair Technology ($53,652) Electrical Installation ($50,776) HVAC Technology ($46,285) Dental Assisting ($45,942) Drafting & Design Technology ($44,988) Computer Science ($44,836)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Accounting degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Accounting graduates.
How vulnerable is Accounting to AI automation?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $415,789 in decade earnings vs $415,789 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can I learn Accounting through an apprenticeship instead of Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Accounting occupations, such as Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist) and Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist, Payroll Assistant Specialist). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Accounting graduates?
The very large job market (451,900 annual openings) works in favor of Accounting graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →