Accounting and Related Services at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. Daley College

Graduates of the Accounting and Related Services program at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. Daley College experience a steady earnings trajectory. The median earnings one year after graduation stand at $39,380, which increases to $44,815 after five years and reaches $51,223 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the median five-year salary equates to approximately $48,818.08 nationally, indicating that graduates maintain a competitive earning potential relative to their peers across the country, despite the cost of living index in Illinois being slightly lower than the national average.

The top industries that graduates enter include Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for 35.7% of placements, followed by Construction at 24.2%. This diversification suggests that graduates have access to a range of employment opportunities. However, the estimated break-even point compared to a high-school-only path is approximately 17.2 years, indicating a significant time investment before realizing a return on educational expenses. Overall, while the program offers a solid earnings trajectory, prospective students should weigh the long-term financial implications against their career aspirations.