Accounting at Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Accounting and Related Services

enrolling 11,772 students in Auburn Hills, MI.

Program Analysis

At $40,424 per year, Accounting graduates from Oakland Community College earn slightly above the $35,807 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 82.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Accounting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $12,181 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #16 of 176 programs, this Accounting program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 25% earnings increase from $40,424 to $50,461 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
75
Score
78
High End
Earnings $40,424/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$525K
5.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
87.0x
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 (In-State)
$6,040
Out-of-state: $11,120
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,181
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,461
25% 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

See the full career breakdown for Accounting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Oakland Community College and 175 other schools.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oakland Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oakland Community College's Accounting program score?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Accounting careers?
AI won't eliminate Accounting careers, but it may reshape them. At Oakland Community College, a score of 75/100 already accounts for the 62% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Accounting?
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.
What's the job market like for Accounting from Oakland Community College?
At 451,900 annual openings, Accounting has a very large employment base. Oakland Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →