Median Earnings (1yr)
$60,381
75th percentile
80th percentile in Alabama
Median Debt
$23,250
7% below national median

Analysis

Auburn's accounting program significantly outperforms both state and national benchmarks, placing it among the stronger public accounting programs in the Southeast. First-year graduates earn $60,381β€”roughly $13,000 more than the Alabama median and about $7,000 above the national average. Among Alabama's 24 accounting programs, Auburn ranks in the 80th percentile, outearning even flagship competitor University of Alabama by nearly $7,000. The $23,250 debt load sits below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that graduates typically manage comfortably.

The trajectory looks solid too: earnings grow 13% to $68,374 by year four, suggesting graduates are building careers rather than hitting early ceilings. While Auburn's admission standards (50% acceptance rate, 1318 SAT) indicate selectivity, the 12% Pell Grant population shows it's not exclusively serving wealthy students. The moderate sample size provides reasonably reliable data without the volatility of very small cohorts.

For Alabama families especially, this represents clear valueβ€”your child would be entering one of the state's top accounting programs with manageable debt and strong earning potential. The premium over other in-state options is substantial enough to matter in career outcomes, making Auburn a smart choice for accounting-focused students who can gain admission.

Where Auburn University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Auburn University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Auburn University$60,381$68,374+13%
University of Alabama in Huntsville$45,751$69,175+51%
The University of Alabama$53,452$68,159+28%
Strayer University-Alabama$52,373$56,398+8%
Herzing University-Birmingham$49,538$54,212+9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (24 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Auburn UniversityAuburn$12,536$60,381$68,374$23,2500.39
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa$11,900$53,452$68,159$23,0000.43
Strayer University-AlabamaBirmingham$13,920$52,373$56,398$54,9891.05
University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham$8,832$51,640$53,666$34,2880.66
Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham$13,420$49,538$54,212β€”β€”
University of South AlabamaMobile$9,676$48,795$48,118$27,0000.55
National Medianβ€”$53,694β€”$25,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Auburn University, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 61 graduates with reported earnings and 102 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.