First, some facts. Of the Accounting graduates from St. Cloud State 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 73%, Accounting graduates from St. Cloud State University have a higher likelihood (+6%) 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, only 10% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Accounting graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 86%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Accounting. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSenior AccountantUnitedHealth Group Nov 2010 - Aug 2014 Compliance Coordinator BANKWEST - Rockford, Hanover, and Buffalo Aug 2014 - Apr 2018 Compliance Officer, VP BANKWEST - Rockford, Hanover, and Buffalo Apr 2018 - Jan 2024 VP of Compliance and Retail Banking BANKWEST - Rockford, Hanover, and Buffalo Jan 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the list of jobs held by graduates from St. Cloud State University who studied Accounting, it seems like there's a mix of roles that are directly related to accounting and others that kind of touch on it but don't really dive deep into accounting principles. Some of the most common positions include things like Senior Accountants and Accounting Managers, which are totally relevant and definitely utilize the skills learned during their degree. These positions typically require a solid understanding of accounting concepts, regulations, and practices, and it’s clear that graduates in these roles are putting their education to good use.
On the flip side, there are quite a few roles that seem less connected to the actual nuts and bolts of accounting. For example, positions like Financial Advisor or Policy Sourcing Associate have some overlap with finance or compliance but don’t use accounting skills to the fullest. So, while there are a good number of graduates who have taken on roles that relate directly to accounting, there’s also a significant portion that have ventured into areas that only loosely relate to their degree. Overall, it looks like the degree opens up a variety of career paths, but not all of them stick closely to the core accounting expertise they gained in school.
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 St. Cloud State University):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from St. Cloud State University who studied Accounting, it's pretty clear that many of them have landed solid jobs right after graduation. For their first jobs, a lot of graduates tend to find roles like Staff Accountants, Tax Preparers, or even Financial Advisors. For instance, one graduate started as a Financial Advisor and worked their way up to an Executive Vice President position in just over a decade. Others have taken on roles as senior accountants or compliance officers, which also showcases the diverse opportunities available in the accounting and finance sectors. It’s quite evident that many graduates kick off their careers in relevant fields that allow for growth.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you'll notice a trend: these individuals often move into higher managerial or executive roles. Many of them have not only maintained their focus on accounting but have also ascended to positions like Accounting Managers, Compliance Officers, and even Directors in various organizations. There are a few outliers who veered somewhat off the typical accounting path, ending up in roles related to finance or management in other sectors, but overall, the graduates from St. Cloud State University seem to really leverage their accounting degrees effectively. It appears that pursuing a degree in accounting from this university can indeed lead to a promising and rewarding career trajectory for those interested in this field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting can be a bit of a mixed bag, and the same goes for St. Cloud State University. Generally speaking, it’s not the easiest major out there, especially since you’ve got to tackle a lot of numbers, financial principles, and some pretty detailed coursework in areas like taxation and auditing. However, if you’ve got a decent head for math and you’re willing to put in the time to study, it can be manageable. Some students find that the workload and material get challenging, especially during peak times like midterms and finals, but if you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, it’s definitely doable. So, while it might not be a walk in the park, it’s not impossible either!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Accounting.
So, looking at these St. Cloud State University grads, it seems like they’ve generally done pretty well in their careers, with many climbing the corporate ladder into higher-paying roles. For example, the person who became Executive Vice President at a life solutions company likely commands a hefty salary, and those in compliance and accounting management positions are often well-paid too. It’s interesting to see that some graduates have stuck with one company for a while, which usually indicates they’re earning decent pay and potentially advancing their careers. However, there are a few who’ve taken on roles that might not be as lucrative, particularly the ones in more junior positions. Overall, though, it looks like most of these grads have made decent money over their careers, especially with the growth in their job responsibilities and titles.
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 St. Cloud State 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: