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Accounting and Related Services at Essex County College

Newark, NJ · Public · Associate Degree

serving 5,643 students in Newark, NJ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,026 place Essex County College below the $35,807 national median for Accounting and Related Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

The 38% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 62% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Accounting and Related Services graduates.

Ranked #119 of 176 Accounting and Related Services programs, Essex County College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,577 show a 54% jump from the $29,026 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Accounting and Related Services offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
59
Score
63
High End
Earnings $29,026/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$493K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.1x
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)
$10,692
Out-of-state: $18,636
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,577
54% 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

View all 176 schools offering Accounting and Related Services →

Accounting and Related Services 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 Essex County College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,500) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($62,448) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($54,592) Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions ($37,740) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($32,638) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($31,908) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($25,792) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($23,768)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Accounting and Related Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at Essex County College?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Accounting and Related Services programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Accounting and Related Services careers?
The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Essex County College a good choice for Accounting and Related Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Essex County College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Accounting and Related Services graduates?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Accounting and Related Services occupations. 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 and Related Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Accounting and Related Services have roughly 451,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →