First, some facts. Of the Accounting graduates from Kaplan University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Accounting graduates from Kaplan University have a much lower likelihood (-15%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 40% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Accounting graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 9%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Kaplan University with a Bachelor's degree in accounting in Accounting. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdvocateMid MN Womens Center Aug 2012 - Dec 2014 Office Manager Daves Appliance Repairs Nov 2013 - Nov 2022 Administrative Assistant Vision Centric, Inc. Apr 2023 - Present ABOUTExperienced Office Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the individual and family services industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Microsoft Word, Crisis Intervention, Sales, and Conflict Resolution. Strong administrative professional with a Bachelor's degree in accounting focused in Accounting from Kaplan University. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with an Accounting degree from Kaplan University, a clear trend emerges regarding their career paths. Many graduates have pursued roles that are directly related to accounting, such as positions like Accounting Specialist, Income Auditor, Staff Accountant, and Finance Manager. These roles often demand a solid understanding of accounting principles and practices, showcasing the relevance of their degrees in their daily responsibilities. However, it's interesting to note that not all graduates ended up in accounting-related positions. A number of them took on jobs in unrelated fields, such as Customer Service, Delivery Driving, and Sales, which do not leverage the specific skills and knowledge gained from their accounting education.
In general, while a good number of Kaplan University graduates are working in fields that closely align with their accounting studies, many have diversified into roles that do not fully utilize the core competencies of their degree. Roles like Client Account Manager and some administrative positions are more focused on client relations or office management, showing that career paths can vary widely even for those with a specialized degree. It seems that while the accounting degree has helped many secure jobs in finance and accounting, others have branched out into different directions, proving that your degree doesn’t box you in; it can open various doors, just not all of them will be directly related to accounting!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Accounting graduates (this is across all Accounting graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Kaplan University):
So, looking at the career paths of graduates from Kaplan University with degrees in Accounting, it seems like they generally start off in roles that are at least somewhat related to accounting or finance right after graduation. For instance, many landed positions like accounting specialists, auditors, or assistants at various companies. There are also individuals who immediately took on roles in finance management or as accountants at firms, which is pretty solid for someone just starting out in their career. That being said, not everyone has stayed directly within the realm of accounting. Some have ventured into more diverse fields, like customer service or even education roles, which indicates a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to sticking strictly to accounting-related careers immediately post-graduation.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you'll see that some graduates have indeed found rewarding roles within accounting and finance, like supervisory or managerial positions, while others might have drifted away from their original path. For example, graduates in recent years have advanced to roles like Senior Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting, showing that a good portion of these grads have carved out solid careers in relevant fields. However, there are also examples, like the delivery driver or those in completely different industries, where people may not have secured positions directly tied to their degrees. Overall, while many graduates seem to have found stable careers in accounting or finance, there's also evidence that others have wandered off the path, which can be pretty typical in any degree program.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, whether at Kaplan University or elsewhere, can really depend on your strengths and interests. Generally speaking, it can be a bit on the challenging side, especially if you’re not a fan of math or financial concepts. You’ll have to tackle subjects like financial accounting, taxation, and auditing, which require attention to detail and a good grasp of numbers. That said, if you’re organized and willing to put in the effort, it’s totally manageable—you might even find some parts of it interesting! So, while it might be a bit tougher than some other degrees, it’s definitely doable with the right mindset.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Accounting.
Looking at these graduates from Kaplan University, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well, while others might be struggling a bit more financially. For example, folks in roles like “President” at a financial services company or “Senior Assistant Director of Finance” at a Marriott hotel likely pull in decent salaries, especially with those positions usually paying well over six figures in urban areas. On the flip side, roles like “Delivery Driver” for DoorDash, or “Customer Service Specialist,” might not bring in the same level of income, which could lead to more financial challenges. Overall, it definitely looks like some are thriving in their careers, while others might be just getting by, so it really depends on the exact position and industry!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Accounting (this is across all Accounting graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Kaplan University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Accounting (ordered by the average relevance score of their Accounting graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: