Accounting and Related Services at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree

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 and Related Services — 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 and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Accounting and Related Services graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting and Related Services?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Accounting and Related Services graduates?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Accounting and Related Services career paths, including Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Accounting and Related Services graduates?
With approximately 451,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Accounting and Related Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →