Accounting and Related Services at Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, MI · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 11,772 students in Auburn Hills, MI.

Program Analysis

At $40,424 per year, Accounting and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 and Related Services 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 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 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 and Related Services program score?
This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
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?
Accounting and Related Services connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →